Therapeutic Play Kit
Find information onTreating Common Illnesses1
| Illness | Symptoms | Treatment |
| Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) | Redness and swelling of eyelids, tearing, pus, itching and burning | Place warm washcloth on each eye, clean from inner to outer
corner of eye. Contact your doctor. |
| Ear infection | Sharp, piercing pain, restlessness, irritability, fever, nausea and vomiting; pus or blood in ear canal if eardrum ruptures | Antibiotics to stop infection, decongestants to shrink mucous
membranes Contact your doctor. |
| Diarrhea | Frequent, loose, watery bowel movements. Risk of dehydration—symptoms include poor elasticity of skin, dry parched lips, mouth and tongue, decreased urine, sunken eye appearance, behavioral changes | Drink fluids such as weak tea, Gatorade, bouillon, “flat”
soft drinks. For nausea and vomiting, eat ice chips or Popsicles.
Slowly add bland foods such as rice cereal, yogurt and cottage
cheese to diet. Coat rectal area with petroleum jelly. Rinse mouth with water to relieve dryness and bad taste. |
| Respiratory Illnesses | See specific illness below | Your doctor may prescribe: pain relievers, antibiotics,
and expectorant to liquefy mucus secretions, decongestants
to shrink swollen mucous membrane. At home, you should: drink fluids, including beverages with crushed ice for sore throat, tea for nasal drainage and relief of chest tightness. Use vaporizer to increase room humidity. Rinse mouth with water to relieve dryness and bad taste. Change bed linens and clothing as often as needed. Get adequate rest. |
| Sore throat | Raw or tickling sensation in back of throat, difficulty swallowing | Contact your doctor; see Respiratory Illnesses above |
| Acute sinusitis | Headache, aching in forehead and cheekbones, tenderness over face, pain around eyes and teeth | Contact your doctor; see Respiratory Illnesses above |
| Croup | Tight “barking” cough | Contact your doctor immediately |
| Acute bronchitis | Fever and cough, at first dry cough, gradually mucus-producing | Contact your doctor; see Respiratory Illnesses above |
| Pneumonia | Chills, high fever, cough, chest pain; possibly nausea, vomiting and diarrhea | Contact your doctor; see Respiratory Illnesses above |
Consult with your physician before any course of treatment.
- IDF Patient/Family Handbook, 3rd edition, copyright 2001, p. 69-74.
