On entering my room, she said, "Doctor, my son has fever, but there is a major problem. He hates medicines, and will not take a single spoon of any syrup or suspension. I'm having a tough time managing him when he's sick. Can you treat him in any manner, apart from giving him medicines?"
As a Paediatrician, I know this is a common problem faced by mothers. A large group of children exist, who hate having any form of medicines. And in the process, they make lives miserable for themselves, their parents, and the doctors treating them.
Why Do Children Dislike Medicines?
It appears that some children from birth have an intrinsic dislike for the taste, flavour, consistency, and colour of medicines. They also dislike the very act of the mother feeding them a medicine.
Those children who dislike medicines fall into two broad categories:
1) Children who dislike all kinds of medicines, irrespective of taste, smell, colour, and the type of formulation (Syrups, drops, suspensions, tablets, capsules or powders)
2) Children who will have medicines, provided it is sweet, or has a particular colour.
The Problem
Illnesses in children are associated with three common symptoms-crying, not eating and not sleeping. Over and above, if your child does not take the required medicines, she doesn't get any relief from her symptoms of fever or cold, making her more miserable and irritable.
Managing a sick child who does not take medicines becomes a nightmarish experience for you. I know many mothers who actually put their head between their hands when their child falls sick, cry and keep repeating, "Oh no, not again. I can't take this one more time."
They know that they are in for a miserable period ahead, where professional, social and family life is headed for a toss.
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