Grandma Nurse Health Tips

Since a number of my friends are entering the wonderful world of grandmahood, I thought I'd share some tips.  Health and illness tips.  As you may have guessed, things have changed since we were raising our own children.  My background includes working as an office nurse in a large pediatricians office, infection control nurse in a community hospital and school nurse.  So, pretty much children and germs.  And children with germs.  And children with bugs. For a number of years, I have referred to my three daughters as vectors.  By definition, a vector is a carrier, or more specifically an organism that shares germs.  
I now have five grand-vectors who are just the best thing ever.

Two of my grandvectors having a picnic - Vada on the left, Charlotte on the right.

All of my grandvectors have recently been ill with various childhood infectious diseases, so I suspect my daughters would agree with the vector title.   I think that it is all part of childhood.

Anyway, here are some things I've learned that I think might be helpful to share.

• Alternating acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) to treat a fever.  Urban legend folks.  Don't do this.  This got started somehow in the past ten years or so as far as I can determine.  There is no research to support this.   Acetaminophen is supposed to be given every four hours.  Ibuprofen is supposed to be given every six hours.  They both work.  Pick one and stick to it. 
• Hydrogen peroxide.  Years ago, we used hydrogen peroxide for all kinds of wound cleaning.  Now we know that hydrogen peroxide actually impedes healing.   Use soap and water to clean wounds, then cover with a bandaid.  I have a hard time convincing kids not to use hydrogen peroxide, especially on wounds that are several days old.  They think that the foaming is cleaning the wound, etc.  In reality, it actually delays healing.  The only reason we even keep peroxide in our nurse offices is to get blood out of clothing.  Works great for that.
• Healing wounds.  Cuts and scrapes (also known as lacerations and abrasions) are a normal part of childhood.  Wounds heal better and scar less if kept moist.  Antibiotic ointment can be used, but due to the number of student allergies, we use plain old petroleum jelly.  
• How to get after office hour health care without breaking the bank. Before you have a sick child, you need to know a couple of things:  What does your health insurance coverage for emergency care, where can you go for after hour care, and how to contact your family doctor after hours.  For example, our health insurance has a $40 deductible for a minor emergency clinic, or a $150 deductible for the emergency room.  For a true emergency (trouble breathing, bone protruding through skin, etc.), heading to the emergency room is a no-brainer.  And, our closest minor emergency clinic is an hour away.  However, you have to keep in mind that you may wait in the emergency room waiting room for over an hour while heart attacks, strokes and car accident patients are being treated. So, heading to the minor emergency clinic may be your best bet.  It is also helpful to know the hours of the minor emergency clinic.  The minor emergency closest to several of my kiddos closes at 10 pm.  Knowing all of the above info can help you make decisions when your kiddo is sick.

More grandma nurse tips later.