Kern Family Health Care | Family Health | Winter 2022

FAMILY HEALTH 3 Care after hours Did you know that KFHC has an Advice Nurse Line? You can call and speak to an advice nurse to help you decide what to do when you or someone in your family gets sick or hurt. Our advice nurses can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can answer health care questions when you can’t reach your doctor. To speak with an advice nurse, call us at 800-391-2000. NEED HELP? Call the Advice Nurse Line at 800-391-2000 or your child’s doctor. What is abdominal pain? Abdominal pain is when your belly aches. What are the most common causes of belly pain? Changes in a child’s eating habits can lead to stomach pain. Gut problems are more likely to happen when a child lacks plenty of fluids and healthy foods. Other causes may involve: y Appendicitis. y Lactose intolerance. y Urinary infections. y Constipation. Stomach pain is a sign of appendicitis. This can be a swollen appendix. If appendicitis happens, your child may become very sick. Appendicitis almost always needs surgery. Symptoms to watch for: y Not wanting to eat. y Pain that gets stronger. y Nausea and vomiting. y Swollen belly. y Fever. What can parents do? Keep your child on a meal plan with lots of whole grains and fresh fruits and veggies. What is TB? Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB most often affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys or the spine. A person with TB can die if they do not get proper care. What are the warning signs of TB? y Feelings of sickness. y Lack of strength. y Weight loss. y Fever. y Night sweats. The symptoms of TB disease of the lungs also involve coughing, chest pain and the coughing up of blood. How can TB spread? TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings. These germs can stay in the air for many hours, based on the environment. Persons who breathe in the air containing these TB germs can become sick. This is called latent TB infection.

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