(ARA) – When your child gets sick, you want to do everything you can to make them feel better. Sometimes it’s difficult to know exactly what you should do, especially now that some over-the-counter children’s analgesic products aren’t available.

“Given the lack of availability of some over-the-counter children’s analgesic products, parents and caregivers have been confused and concerned about what to give their children to temporarily reduce a fever or relieve minor aches and pains,” says Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD, practicing pediatrician and chief pediatric officer of www.RealAge.com. “I always tell parents to pay attention to their children’s symptoms, and follow their gut instincts, which are two key factors that can help them treat their children, not just their symptoms.”

She suggests the following tips for treating a sick child:

* Know the active ingredients in the medications you give your child. Carefully read all the labels, especially if you are giving her multiple medications. You can determine if it’s the right treatment for your child’s symptoms when you know the active ingredients.

* For a mild headache, Dr. Trachtenberg recommends her version of TLC: Time, Love/Liquids and a Couch. Take time to sit with your sick child in a comfortable, quiet place, like the living room couch. Give her plenty of liquids, put a cool compress on her head and gently rub her temples until the pain subsides. Sometimes children are just craving some “me” time from mom or dad. But if your child’s symptoms continue, you can give her a pain reliever. If the symptoms get worse, you should call your pediatrician.

* There will be times when the pain or fever needs to be treated with a reliable medication. Triaminic(TM) Fever Reducer Pain Reliever is now the only branded children’s over-the-counter liquid acetaminophen product available nationwide. It can be used for children age 2 to 11 to temporarily reduce fevers and relieve minor aches and pains due to the common cold, flu, headache, minor sore throat and toothache. To help parents restock their medicine cabinets with a reliable option, Novartis Consumer Health is giving away up to 250,000 bottles of Triaminic (TM) Fever Reducer Pain Reliever, valued at $1.5 million, between Aug. 2 and 8. Visit www.triaminicgiveaway.com to find detailed information on this offer and register for a rebate form.

“It is important that parents know there are effective treatment options now available from brands they know and trust. If parents have any questions about which over-the-counter options are most appropriate for their kids, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist.”