As you sit in pain nursing a headache or a cold or sinus issue, you reach into the cabinet and pull out some medical relief. As you look at the expiration date on the package, you see that it expired a month ago. Does it really matter? Will any harm come to you if you take the medication once the date has passed? The answer to that is yes, and no. Confused? Read on...

The expiration date on a drug bottle actually does mean something. A law was passed in 1979 that required manufacturers of drugs to stamp an expiration date on their products. This date represents the date the manufacturer can GUARANTEE that the drug is fully potent and safe. The vast majority of drugs are safe and potent well past the expiration date, but there are a few exceptions.

DRUGS THAT NEED TO BE USED BY OR BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE:
The following are exceptions to the rules of extended usage after expiration dates:

Nitroglycerin, insulin, liquid antibiotics and tetracycline. Using these drugs after expiration dates can present possible severe health risks.

Certain factors can be involved in preserving the safety and potency of your prescription drugs. If the label calls for the medication to be refrigerated, by all means do that. Otherwise, the potency will be greatly diminished once it has been opened. Keeping your prescriptions in a cool, dark place (in a cabinet as opposed to the windowsill) will preserve the potency of your prescription also.

If you have any questions about the safety of your prescriptions once the date has passed, there are two prime sources to contact for guidance and information. The first is a pharmacist, a great resource and highly qualified to guide you on this issue. The second source is the physician that prescribed your medication.

If you grab for that bottle and the date has passed, don’t panic. If it is a few months past the date, chances are good it is fine (with the exception of the above mentioned drugs). If it has been a year or more, call and ask for assurance before taking the medication. ◆

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COLD OR FLU

Ear Infections

It starts with a sniffle or a bothersome cold and morphs into a full-blown attack of pain in the ear. It’s the bane of a parent’s existence...the dreaded ear infection. Most children will have at least one middle ear infection before the age of two.

What Is a Middle Ear Infection?
Middle ear infections are one of the most common afflictions of childhood. The ear consists of three parts...the outer, middle and inner ear. When germs and bacteria settle into the ear, it causes an infection. If the germs settle into the outer ear, it is called swimmer’s ear. When it settles into the small pocket behind the eardrum, it is called a middle ear infection. The area fills up with pus or fluid and makes you feel as though a balloon is going to pop...not pleasant for the little one.

How Do You Get a Middle Ear Infection?
The Eustachian tube is a passage between your middle ear and throat. It keeps pressure from building up and lets air move in and out of the middle ear. When you are a little one, those tubes are very small and much less able to keep pesky germs out. The tubes grow longer as you get older but can still cause problems. When the child is under three years old, those tubes can get blocked and cause infection.

Is There a Way to Prevent Infections?
It’s pretty tough to avoid germs at certain times of the year, particularly if your child is in daycare or preschool. While you cannot catch ear infections from other people, you can pick up the germs that cause an infection. Here are some tips for avoiding germs:

• Avoid places where people are smoking. Smoke can block up Eustachian tubes.
• Stay away, if possible, from people with colds.
• Wash your hands on a very regular basis.
• Don’t touch your nose and eyes...prime portals for germ entry.
• Keep the nose clear.
• If you have a baby, feed the baby upright.

How Do I Know if My Child Has an Ear Infection?
Some signs to watch for.

If your child has two or more of the following symptoms, call your physician to schedule an exam.

• Cold symptoms. If the mucus of the cold turns yellow or green, an infection is on the way.
• Fever – usually a low grade (101-102°)
• Complaining of ear pain or hearing loss
• Fussiness either night or day
• Unwillingness to lie down flat
• Waking up at night
• Ear drainage - If pus or blood is draining from the ear, there is an infection with a ruptured eardrum. Do Not Panic. Once the eardrum ruptures, the pain subsides and the eardrum will heal, returning to normal in most instances.

How Do I Treat an Ear Infection?

• Try a warm compress on the ear.
• Place a couple of drops of warm (not hot) olive oil, vegetable oil or garlic oil in the ear. DO NOT DO THIS IF THERE IS EAR DRAINAGE.
• Anesthetic eardrops – These must be obtained by prescription but will minimize the pain of an infection for an hour or two at a time. DO NOT DO THIS IF THERE IS EAR DRAINAGE.
• Antibiotics - There are a variety available that your doctor may choose to prescribe. Most common are amoxicillan, Augmentin, Azithromycin or a new combination of Augmentin and amoxicillan called Augmentin ES.

The majority of children tolerate antibiotics without difficulty. However, if your child suffers from some common side effects of the antibiotic, talk to your doctor about how to minimize or avoid them. Some of these side effects can include diarrhea, diaper rash, oral thrush or vomiting. It is very important to finish the entire course of the antibiotic to ensure that the infection is knocked out. If you feel a side effect of a particular antibiotic is too severe, talk to your doctor about alternatives.

If your child has frequent or chronic ear infections, talk to your doctor. Additional tests may be necessary and other options may be required to help your child’s condition. As the child ages, ear infections become rare or at least much less frequent! ◆

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Halloween is fast approaching and the kids are getting excited to don their costumes and take to the streets searching for treats. Before anyone heads out, take note of some tips below to help ensure yourself a safe and happy Halloween.

Halloween Costume Safety:
Sometimes it seems all sanity is thrown out the window when shopping for an innocent costume for your child. While you want them to pick out their own costume so that they feel a sense of responsibility, make sure their choices are appropriate. When either making or shopping for the costume, follow the following guidelines...

• Costumes should be made of flame retardant materials.
• Work in reflector strips, a flashlight or a light stick that will make them more visible after dark.
• Avoid high heels or anything that dangles...a scraped knee or twisted ankle can ruin their entire night.
• If they carry a prop such as a sword, make sure it is made of rubber so no unwanted injuries occur to them or anyone else.
• If there is a mask involved, make sure the eyeholes are large enough to see both forward and sideways. You may have to cut extra space around these holes to accommodate that flexible vision.
• If possible, make your child’s costume unique so they stand out in a crowd and you can easily see them while they are trick or treating.

Trick or Treating Safety Tips:

• Always go trick or treating with a responsible adult along.
• Make a plan...let your child know that they have a specific amount of time to trick or treat and plan your route so that everyone is on the same page.
• Make sure your child knows that they should be visible to you at all times. If your child is old enough to go out on their own, make sure they know to stay in well-populated areas and well-lit neighborhoods. Don’t cut through fields or back alleys to get around.
• Instruct your child never to go into a home of a stranger or get into their car. They should never approach the doorstep of a stranger’s home unless accompanied by an adult.
• If your child is old enough to trick or treat alone, make sure they know they should be in a group and never alone.
• Serve your child a meal before trick or treating to cut down on excessive candy consumption.
• Make sure your child follows the rules about crossing streets...look both ways, cross only at crosswalks and corners, and take the hand of a younger child when crossing.
• If your child is going out alone, instruct them on a curfew time. Make sure they are clear that vandalism (throwing eggs, etc.) is not acceptable.
• If possible, carry a cell phone when not accompanied by an adult.
• Make sure you tell your child that no treats should be eaten without your approval and inspection. Once home, go through their bag and pull out any items you feel may not be acceptable.

If you follow some simple guidelines, Halloween can be a howling good time for everyone involved! ◆

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