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Expert Q&A
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| By Michael F. Wasserman General Pediatrician | ||
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My 3-year-old refuses to take medicine of any kind. She becomes hysterical at the meer mention of it. This is a real problem several times a year when fevers need to be brought under control, not to mention the occasional antibiotic. What can I do?
Begin by having a conversation with your child when he or she is not sick. Remind the child that there are times when he must take medication in order to become well. You can discuss the options available, such as for bacterial infection (e.g. strep throat, ear infection), the choice of medicine by mouth or by shot.
When the child becomes ill, give the option of "shot or by mouth." If need be, bring the child to the doctor's office to show him that you're serious about the option of injection. Offer him the oral medication again. Follow through on the "threat of shot." Don't use this phrase loosely; if you say it, mean it and go through with it. You may wish to include your pediatrician in this conversation.
Usually the child will acquiesce in the future once he realizes that you are more serious than he is regarding the importance to giving medication.
Remember, however, that "fevers don't need to be brought under control." The fever is a sign of illness. Yes, it will make your child uncomfortable, but only rarely is true long lasting harm done to the child. An easy method is to put the child in a warm bath for 20 minutes, which will bring the temperature down. At that point, oral medication might be more easily given.
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