GuidelinesIMCI
Local Infections & Diarrhoea (Birth up to 2 months)
IMCI - Young Infant (Birth up to 2 months)
Teach the Caregiver to Treat Local Infections at home
Treat for Thrush with Nystatin
Treat for Purulent or Sticky Discharge of Eyes
Treat for Skin Pustules or Umbilical Infection
Treat for Diarrhoea
- If there is diarrhoea with severe dehydration or diarrhoea with some dehydration
- Explain how the treatment is given (Plan A, Plan B, Plan C)
- If there is severe dehydration commence intravenous rehydration, give the first dose of ceftriaxone IM and refer URGENTLY
Teach the Caregiver to Treat Local Infections at Home
- Explain how the treatment is given
- Watch her as she does the first treatment in the clinic
- She should return to the clinic if the infection worsens
Treat for Thrush with Nystatin
If there are thick plaques the caregiver should:
- Wash her hands with soap and water
- Wet a clean soft cloth with chlorhexidine 0.2% or salt water, wrap this around the little finger,then gently wipe away the plaques
- Wash hands again
For all infants with thrush
- Give nystatin 1 ml after feeds for 7 days
- If breastfed, check mother’s breasts for thrush. If present treat mother’s breasts with nystatin
- Advise mother to wash nipples and areolae after feeds
- If bottle fed, change to cup and make sure that caregiver knows how to clean utensils used to prepare and administer the milk
Treat for Purulent or Sticky Discharge of Eyes
The caregiver should:
- Wash hands with soap and water
- Gently wash off discharge and clean the eye with saline or cooled boiled water at least 4 times a day. Continue until the discharge disappears
- Apply chloramphenicol ointment 4 times a day for seven days
- Wash hands again after washing the eye
Treat for Skin Pustules or Umbilical Infection
The caregiver should:
- Wash hands with soap and water
- Gently wash off pus and crusts with soap and water
- Dry the area
- Apply povidone iodine cream (5%) or ointment (10%) three times daily
- Wash hands again
- Give cephalexin or flucloxacillin for 7 days
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness 2022; Young Infant (Birth up to 2 months); Treat the Young Infant: Diarrhoea, Local Infections
Last checked for updates: June 2023