Illustrated First Aid Guide - Marcia Wendorf [26]
4. Seek medical attention for children younger than age 2 if they have had a fever for more than one day.
5. Seek medical attention for children older than age 2 if they have had a fever for more than three days.
6. Seek medical attention for adults if they have a temperature in excess of 103 F (39.4 C) or have had a fever for more than 3 days.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when an artery that supplies blood and oxygen to your heart muscle becomes blocked. Pain from a heart attack generally lasts longer than 15 minutes, however, heart attacks can also be silent, with no signs or symptoms.
The main symptom of a heart attack may be recurrent chest pain that’s triggered by exertion and relieved by rest. Someone having a heart attack may experience any or all of the following symptoms:
• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness or squeezing pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes
• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms
• Lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
Treatment:
1. For symptoms lasting more than five minutes, call 911.
2. Do not allow the victim to drive himself or herself to an emergency room. It puts the victim and fellow drivers at risk should the symptoms worsen.
3. Have the victim chew a regular-strength aspirin; aspirin can inhibit blood clotting. Don’t give aspirin if the person is allergic to it or has been advised not to take it by their doctor.
4. If the victim has been prescribed nitroglycerin, have them take it as directed.
5. If the victim is unconscious, begin CPR. A 911 dispatcher can advise you how to perform CPR.
Motion Sickness
Motion sickness can strike on any type of transportation, such as car, train or boat. It begins with a slight feeling of uneasiness, and can progress to a cold sweat, dizziness and vomiting.
You can mitigate the amount of motion sickness you might feel if you reserve seats where motion is felt least:
• On a ship, this is the front or middle of the ship, or on an upper deck
• On a plane, seats over the front edge of a wing are best, and once aboard, direct the air vent flow on the person’s face
• On a train, seats near the front that are next to a window and face forward are best
• In a car, this is the front passenger seat
Treatment:
1. Before traveling, do not allow the person to drink alcohol, overeat or eat spicy or greasy foods.
2. Have them take an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as meclizine (Antivert, Bonine), or one containing dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) 30 to 60 minutes before traveling; drowsiness is a side effect of these medications.
3. For severe motion sickness, ask a doctor for scopolamine (Transderm Scop), available as a prescription adhesive patch. Apply the patch behind the person’s ear several hours before traveling for 72 hours of protection from motion sickness. Advise the doctor if the person has: asthma, glaucoma or urine retention.
4. While traveling, focus on the horizon or on a distant, stationary point.
5. Never read while traveling.
6. Don’t sit near smokers or allow the person to smoke.
7. Keep the victim’s head still, and rest it against a seat back.
8. Have the person eat dry crackers or drink a carbonated beverage to settle their stomach.
Seizures
Most seizure victims suffer from epilepsy. Seizures caused by other conditions, such as a head injury, pregnancy or diabetes, are more serious and require medical attention. Young children often have seizures as the result of a high fever; these are called febrile seizures.
Treatment:
1. Place the victim on the floor and clear hard or sharp objects away from them
2. Check for a medical ID bracelet to see what conditions the victim has
3. Note the time of the beginning and end of the seizure. Seizures lasting longer than five minutes are treated differently than shorter ones
4. Loosen tight clothing around the victim’s neck, such as ties or collars
5. Place something soft under the victim’s head, such as a pillow or rolled-up clothing
6. Never put anything in the victim