hand Bed rest is the most essential treatment for a head injury that does not penetrate the skull. Keep the child lying quietly, with the head on a pillow. Check the child frequently. The child may sleep but must be awakened every hour so that you can check on her condition until she feels well. Keep the child in bed until at least one day after she seems fully recovered. Give only aspirin or acetaminophen for headache. PRECAUTIONS • Do not attempt home treatment if there are any signs of a concussion. • Do not treat a head injury at home if the scalp is depressed (pushed in) at the site of the injury or if gentle tapping of the skull produces the dull sound of a broken melon. (These symptoms rarely, if ever, occur without other signs of concussion.) • Do not give painkillers, sedatives, or any medication stronger than aspirin or acetaminophen to a child with a head injury. MEDICAL TREATMENT Your doctor may order an xray examination of the skull. Your child may be hospitalized for observation. A computed tomographic (CT) study may be ordered. An echoencephalogram, an electroencephalogram, and a spinal tap may sometimes be helpful. If the concussion is serious, your doctor may consult a neurosurgeon (a surgeon who specializes in disorders of the nervous system). Conjunctivitis SYMPTOMS • Redness of the entire white of the eye • Yellow pus from the eye • Swollen, red eyelids • Burning sensation in the eye HOME CARE • If you think your child has conjunctivitis, call your doctor. • Your doctor may see the child or may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment over the telephone. Place the prescribed eye drops or ointment into the eyes as frequently as directed. • Treat both eyes, even if only one eye seems infected. Continue treatment for 24 hours after the eye seems normal. • Isolate your child from other people. • Watch other family members for symptoms. PRECAUTIONS • If the eyes don't begin clearing within 24 hours after beginning the medication, call your doctor. • Eye ointments will cause blurred vision for a few minutes after each application. If there are any other vision problems, call your doctor. • Notify your doctor if a child with conjunctivitis shows any other signs of illness (a head cold, nasal discharge, sore throat, earache, fever, or swollen, tender lymph nodes). Conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, is an infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelid. Conjunctivitis is highly contagious. It is spread by contact with discharge from the eye or by contact with hands or objects (facecloths, toys, handkerchiefs) that have touched the infected eye. Symptoms of conjunctivitis may develop within one to three days after contact with the infection. Conjunctivitis usually spreads quickly to the other eye. Conjunctivitis may exist alone. It may also develop as a complication of sore throat, tonsillitis, earache, or sinusitis. foot and mouth