Pediatrician Shares Helpful ‘Reminders’ if You’re Home With a Sick Child

A pediatrician on TikTok has outlined several helpful reminders if you are home with a sick child.

Dr. Lauren Hughes (@bloomdpc) released the video after noting that “everybody is home with a sick kid right now”.

Since its publishing, the video has been viewed more than 50,000 times and attracted hundreds of comments.

Here’s what Hughes recommended.

You Don’t Have to Treat Fevers

According to Hughes, treating a fever isn’t necessary as long as your child is comfortable.

“You can let them have a fever. It’s okay,” she explained.

Hughes added that you don’t have to put your child in a bath or try to make them colder to bring their fever down, since that would only make them uncomfortable.

“Whenever your kid has a fever, they are actively trying to warm up,” she said. “So let them bundle up and be comfortable, because that is going to help them get better. The fever is there for a reason.”

However, if they are uncomfortable, “please give them medicine to help them be comfortable regardless of their temperature”.

It’s Okay if Your Child Doesn’t Eat

Don’t be too stressed out if your child doesn’t want to eat when they have a fever.

“That’s okay,” Hughes said. “Drinking is the most important thing. They need to be drinking, drinking, drinking.”

According to Hughes, the child should be urinating at least three times in 24 hours.

“If they have less than that, you need to be seen,” she said.

Breathing Faster is Okay, But Trouble Breathing Isn’t

When kids have a fever, their heart rate is going to go up.

As a result, the child will likely start breathing faster, which isn’t a problem in itself.

“What is concerning is if they are having trouble breathing,” Hughes said. “You can be breathing a little bit faster—if you’re not struggling.”

Small, Frequent Sips of Fluid

Finally, if kids are nauseous and vomiting, they still need to be taking liquids.

“You want to do small, frequent sips of fluid,” Hughes advised. “You’re not going to have them chug, because that’s just going to come right back out.”

Taking small sips will help prevent your child from overwhelming their stomach.

“Your tummy is trying to get rid of things,” Hughes said.

Newsweek reached out to Hughes by email on Wednesday, Jan. 29 requesting further comment.

Users React

Commenters were very appreciative of Hughes’ advice, with one writing, “As a mom with severe medical anxiety fueled by my OCD… Posts like this bring me so much peace and help me so much.”

Another added, “I’ve been a mom for 12 years and you just reaffirmed everything I do and I greatly appreciate it!”

“My pediatrician says the same thing,” one TikTok user noted. “Treat the child, not the fever! Thanks for these reminders!”