The "Eyes" have it....

Most pediatric classes are now taught with the simple question "Sick or not sick". It's a fairly simple philosophy- A.B.C. Appearance- does the child look sick? In kids, their eyes tell it all. Breathing- are they breathing normally, or are they working to get air in and out. When kids are sick, their respiratory rate increases, and if they are working harder, they will have nasal flaring- their nostrils go in and out. They can also have retractions- when the skin around the ribs and collar bones sucks in as the child inhales. Circulation- are the fingers and lips pink? Pale? Blue? If you pinch a finger does it take a long time for the blanching to go away or is it prompt?

So, if you were to come across the world's sweetest 2 year old princess, but her eyes were devoid of their sparkle like this:

And she wouldn't eat more than one bit here and there. And you have to force fluids down her when she normally begs for juice, milk, water, juice, and more juice all day:

And she sleeps

And sleeps

and sleeps

and wakes every 2 hours in the night for a few nights in a row, and runs a fever of 102, well, then you know this little princess is SICK. According to her phenomenal pediatrician, she has been blessed with bilateral ear infections (yeah, this kid makes up for the other two genetic mutant children that NEVER got ear infections) and pneumonia. That would explain her respiratory rate of about 60 (about twice the normal rate for a toddler, er, I mean princess) and her retractions. She has some Motrin, Tylenol, and bubble-gum flavored "pink stuff" all working to help her highness feel better! Hope to be back soon, but for now- work will have to wait, this patient takes priority.