Pediatricians' group publishes new sick kids guide

CHICAGO — The nation's largest pediatrician group has a new guide with advice on caring for a sick child and when to call the doctor.

The book from the American Academy of Pediatrics is titled "My Child is Sick," and it has chapters on common problems including coughs and colds, earaches and splinters.

Information includes what symptoms require emergency treatment and what symptoms can be treated at home.

For example, some earaches can be treated with pain medicine and ear drops. But call the doctor if the pain is severe and doesn't get better two hours after giving ibuprofen.

The book's author, Barton Schmitt, is a Denver-area physician with more than 40 years in pediatrics. The guide is available for $12.95 on the academy's website for parents, www.healthychildren.org, or at bookstores.