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Illness |
Symptoms |
Treatment |
Bronchiolitis
- Usually affects babies in their first 12 months.
- Viral respiratory infection
- Airways become inflamed and fill with mucous and affects lung function.
- Passes via coughing, sneezing and direct contact (eg tissues.)
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- Runny nose, sneezing and fever
- Cough develops over a couple of days.
- Wheeze on outward breath.
- Difficulty breathing - laboured breath with chest rising more than normal.
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- Visit your Doctor for advice
- If your baby is having trouble breathing seek urgent medical assistance.
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Chicken Pox (Varicella-zoster virus)
- Highly contagious
- Spread through direct contact with person or lesion or droplets from coughing
or sneezing
- Contagious period from 2 days before the rash develops until all blisters have
formed a dry scab.
- Incubation period is 10-21daysafter exposure.
- Avoid contact with pregnant women.
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- Fever, sore throat and headache.
- An itchy skin rash over the whole body.
- Rash-small blisters surrounded by pink areas.
- Blisters will gradually burst and form a scab (about 5 days after appearing).
- Blisters may appear in the mouth.
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Treat the symptoms:
- Give Paracetamol/Ibuprofen
- Cool baths
- Cool cloth compresses
- Topical cream (ask your pharmacist for advice) Complications can arise - see your
Doctor if concerned.
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Common Cold
- Upper respiratory Tract Infection
- Sneezing coughing
- Direct contact
- Contagious until symptoms clear
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Any or all of:
- Blocked or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Fever
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Treat the symptoms:
- Plenty of fluids
- Give Paracetamol/Ibuprofen
- Nasal spray or drops. Ask your pharmacist for advice
Visit your doctor if:
- Ongoing high fever
- Breathing difficulties
- Intense headache
- Stiff neck
- Lethargic
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Conjunctivitis
- Inflammation of the membranes in the eye.
- Highly contagious and can be passed via hand to eye contact or via cloth to cloth.
- Incubation period is a few days up to a week.
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- Discharge from the eye, white or yellow in colour.
- Eyes may be stuck together after sleeping.
- Eyes may be itchy and irritable.
- May appear blood shot.
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- Seek medical advice; antibiotic drops may be necessary
- Use a sterile cloth or fresh cotton wool that is moistened with saline solution
and bath the eye from the outside in towards the nose.
- Wash your hands after each treatment.
- Do not share towels or cloths while discharge is present.
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Constipation
- Breastfed babies rarely become constipated- it is not unusual to have 7-10 days
between bowel motions.
- More likely to occur in bottle fed babies
- Older children can be constipated after the introduction of new foods as their
bodies adapt to it.
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- Infrequent stools and
- Difficulty passing stool and
- Hard pellet like stools and
- Pain on passing a stool and occasional bleeding from the rectum.
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- Increase fluids
- A warm bath
- Raise legs and gently move up and down
- Increase fibrous foods (older children)
- Regular exercise
- Allow time to sit on the toilet with no pressure or time constraints
- Massage the stomach area
- If this is a regular problem seek medical advice
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Cough
- Usually part of, or follows on from, an URTI.
- Contagious until symptoms clear.
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- The cough may be dry or produce mucous
- Similar to a cold
- Look for signs of whooping cough, croup, bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
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- Increase fluids
- If a bacterial infection is present; antibiotics may be used.
- See your doctor if symptoms persist or you’re concerned.
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Cradle Cap
- An oily secretion from the scalp.
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- Yellow crust or scale on scalp.
- May have an unpleasant odour.
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- Soften the crust with a mild moisturizer or oil.
- Leave on overnight and wash off. The crust may need to be assisted off the scalp
with gentle rubbing or by using a fine tooth comb.
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Croup
- A viral illness causing acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
- Commonly affects young children and babies.
- Involves airways becoming swollen and narrow
- Passed via coughing and sneezing
- Symptoms peak on 2nd or 3rd day.
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- General cold symptoms at first
- Barking cough (sounds like a seal)
- Hoarse voice
- Breathing is noisy.
Symptoms are usually worse at night. Severe symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- High fever and drooling
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- Initial treatment is to place the child into a steamy room. Run the hot taps in
the bathroom or laundry. Beware of scalds.
- See your doctor if you suspect croup.
- If it is a severe attack call an ambulance (000).
- Sleeping close by to your child is often a good idea.
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Dehydration
- Can occur very quickly in babies as a result of repeated vomiting, diarrhea, heat
stroke or heat exhaustion.
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- Listless and apathetic
- Eyes and fontanelle will appear sunken
- Urine output is decreased
- Skin will remain gathered after being pinched
- Dry mouth with increased thirst.
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- Seek urgent medical attention.
- Try to maintain or increase the intake of fluids to prevent dehydration from occurring.
- Give electrolyte solution.
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Diarrhoea
- A viral or bacterial infection that can be passed via hand to hand contact.
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- Cramp and abdominal pain.
- Loose and explosive bowel motions.
- Frequent watery motions
- May be discoloured
- Possible dehydration
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- Seek medical advice.
- Be vigilant with hand washing hygiene to prevent spreading the infection.
- Continue to breastfeed and maintain fluid levels.
- Give electrolyte solution. To older children.
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Ear infection
- Usually a viral infection with occasional secondary bacterial infection.
- Often follows a cold (URTI)
- Inflammation of the lining of the middle ear.
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- Ear pain
- Fever
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
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- See your Doctor for advice.
- Antibiotics are only useful if it is a bacterial infection.
- Treat the symptoms
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help
- Warm compress on the ear
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Febrile Convulsion
- These occur in a small percentage of babies and can be brought on by a sudden
rise in temperature.
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- Loss of consciousness or awareness.
- Body becomes stiff or floppy.
- Body begins to twitch or jerk.
- Your child may be disoriented or drowsy after the fit has finished.
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Your immediate reaction:
- Remove anything that may cause injury.
- Stay with your child.
- Place in the recovery position.
- Seek medical advice.
Call an ambulance if:
- Your child has difficulty breathing
- Remains unconscious after the fit has finished
- If the fit lasts longer than 5 minutes
- If your child has a second fit following the first.
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Fever
- May be caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
- Young babies can have a fever from being over heated.
- Occasionally follows routine immunizations.
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- Your baby is considered to have a fever when your baby’s temperature rises above
37.5oC
- High temperature is considered to be over 39oC
- Baby may feel hot to touch.
- Baby may shiver or feel very hot.
- Rapid rise in temperature or prolonged high fever may cause a febrile convulsion.
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- Treat the symptoms with paracetamol or ibuprofen to make your child comfortable.
- Remove excess layers of clothing.
- Bath with a tepid sponge/cloth (water should be around 37oC)
- Increase fluids
Seek medical advice if
- Your newborn presents with a fever.
- A high fever is present or,
- Has difficulty breathing or,
- Is lethargic and non-responsive or,
- Has a rash
- You are concerned.
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Flu (Influenza)
- Sneezing coughing
- Direct contact
- Contagious until symptoms clear
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Symptoms may include:
- High Fever
- Chills and sweating
- Headache
- Weak and tired
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Chesty cough
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Treat the symptoms:
- Plenty of fluids
- Give Paracetamol/Ibuprofen
- Nasal spray or drops.
Ask your pharmacist for advice
Visit your doctor if:
- Ongoing high fever
- Breathing difficulties
- Intense headache
- Stiff neck
- Lethargic
- You are concerned in any way
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Gastroenteritis
- This can be a viral or bacterial infection
- Can be a serious disease in young babies due to dehydration.
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- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain and cramps.
- Fever
- Dehydration can result.
- May have blood in the stool.
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- Continue to breastfeed and offer extra water or electrolyte solution.
- Replace formula with water or electrolyte solution until vomiting stops.
Seek medical attention if:
- Symptoms persist for more than 24 hours
- You suspect dehydration
- You are concerned in any way Be vigilant with hand washing.
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Impetigo (School sores)
- A bacterial skin infection.
- Highly contagious via direct contact until sores have dried completely (around
3-5 days).
- Bacteria usually enters the skin via a cut, insect bite or other sore.
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- Begins as small blisters.
- These burst and form a crust.
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- Consult your Doctor.
- Often antibiotic ointment and medicines are prescribed.
- Cover weeping sores with a non-stick dressing.
- Be vigilant with hand washing.
- Wash bedding and clothing daily
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Influenza
- A viral infection spread by coughing and sneezing from infected persons.
- Symptoms develop 1-3 days following exposure.
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- Fever
- Cough (dry or with mucous)
- Muscle and joint pain
- Weak and lethargic
- Headache
- Loss of appetite.
- Symptoms may last for 7-10 days.
- Dehydration can occur quickly
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- Treat the symptoms with paracetamol or ibuprofen to make your child comfortable.
- Increase fluids.
- Watch for signs of secondary infection- repeat of fever, sore ears, pneumonia.
- Be vigilant with hand washing.
- Contact your doctor if you your child does not improve or you have any concerns.
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Meningococcal Meningitis
- Highly contagious
- Acute bacterial infection
- Life threatening
- Inflammation of the spinal cord and brain
- Followed by Septicemia (blood poisoning)
- Passed by coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing drinks and food.
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Not all of these symptoms may be present:
- Severe headache
- Fever (that may not respond to paracetamol)
- High pitched cry
- Fatigue, drowsy, lethargic
- Stiff or painful neck
- Sensitivity to light
- Fontanelle bulges
- Convulsions.
More serious symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Cold hands and feet
- Cold shivers
- Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest or abdomen
- Rapid breathing
- Diarrhea
- Later stages, a pinprick or purple bruise-like rash
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- Seek urgent medical assistance
- If you suspect Meningococcal Meningitis insist on rapid treatment
- Vaccination is available as part of the routine immunization schedule
Prevention includes:
- avoid sharing cups and eating utensils and toothbrushes
- Babies and toddlers should be discouraged from sharing toys that have saliva on
them.
- Do not share a dummy or allow anyone to place it in their mouth to clean it.
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Molluscum contagiosum
- A viral infection
- Highly contagious via contact with shared water (bath or pool).
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- Small raised spots that appear similar to small warts. Spots will usually last
for about 3-6 months.
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- No treatment is necessary as these will clear up by themselves.
- Contact your doctor for confirmation.
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Non- Specific Viral Rash
- Caused by a viral infection.
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- Usually appears as a red rash across the body.
- Usually lasts only a few days.
- May be accompanied by other symptoms.
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- Confirm with your doctor.
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Pneumococcal Meningitis
- A Bacterial Infection passed via Sneezing , Coughing and saliva transfer
- Vaccination can help prevent the risk of infection. See our Immunisation Chart.
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Your child may present with some or all of the following:
- Fever
- High Pitched cry in babies
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Bulging fonatanelle in infants
- Joint and/or muscle pain
- Irritability
- Drowsy/disoriented
- Loss of consciousness
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- Seek urgent medical attention
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Roseola
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- High fever for about 3 days
- Loss of appetite.
- Swollen lymph glands in the neck
- Followed by a rash (pink/red spots) all over the body.
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- Contact your doctor for confirmation of the rash.
- Manage the symptoms with paracetamol/ibuprofen and cool sponges.
- Increase fluids
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Rubella (German Measles)
- A viral infection
- Can have serious consequences if a pregnant woman comes into contact with Rubella
for her developing baby.
- Highly contagious via coughing or sneezing or direct contact. • Infectious period
is 7 days from before onset of the rash and up to 7 days after the onset of the
rash.
- Incubation period is 15-20 days.
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- Mild fever
- Mild rash on body, neck and face.
- Joint pain
- Swollen glands
- Headache, cough, cold.
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A vaccination is available as part of the routine immunization schedule to prevent
the disease.
- Make comfortable with paracetamol/ibuprofen.
- Increase fluids.
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Threadworm
- A parasite infestation.
- Also known as pinworm.
- Infection occurs after ingesting a pinworm egg.
- Worm eggs can survive outside the body for up to 14 days, usually in dirt or dust.
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- Itchy bottom
- Loss of appetite or fussy eating
- Worms may be visible in stools or from the anus at night
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- Seek medical advice
- Be vigilant with hand washing.
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Thrush
- A fungal infection.
- Caused by the abnormal growth of yeast, Candida albicans.
- Infection can be transmitted by direct contact.
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Oral Thrush:
- Sores inside the mouth.
- A build up of cottage cheese like discharge from the mouth. Topical rash:
- Often occurs in the diaper region and folds of the skin nearby.
- Distinct red inflamed rash
- White spots (pustules) may be present
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Seek medical advice.
Oral Thrush:
- Antifungal drops or gel by prescription
- Your nipples may be infected as well so should be treated.
- Teats from bottles may need to be discarded or will need to be thoroughly sterilized.
Topical rash:
- Your doctor may prescribe an anti fungal cream. Follow their directions.
- Allow diaper free time.
- Use a diaper that draws urine away from baby’s skin.
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Urinary Tract Infection
- A bacterial infection.
- Occurs more frequently in girls.
- Untreated UTI can cause damage to the kidneys.
- To prevent infection always wipe from front to back during a diaper change.
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- Unexplained high fever
- Increased urine output.
- Painful or burning sensation with urination
- Offensive odour
- Older children may have daytime and nighttime accidents.
- Can only be confirmed by a urine analysis.
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- Seek medical advice.
- A urine sample will need to be taken.
- Antibiotics may be necessary
- Increase fluids.
- Follow up investigations may be warranted.
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Vomiting
- Usually caused by a viral infection.
- The main concern for an infant or child suffering from vomiting is dehydration.
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- Stomach cramps followed by an episode of vomiting.
- Often accompanied by diarrhoea.
More serious symptoms that need urgent medical attention:
- Vomiting after a head injury
- Vomit is bright yellow or green
- Vomit contains blood
- Constant stomach pain
- High fever is present
- Dehydration is evident
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- Continue to breastfeed and offer extra water or electrolyte solution.
- Replace formula with water or electrolyte solution until vomiting stops.
Seek medical attention if:
- Symptoms persist for more than 24 hours
- Your child is unable to retain clear fluids.
- You suspect dehydration
- You are concerned in any way.
- Be vigilant with hand washing.
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Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
- A bacterial infection
- Highly contagious to an un-immunised child.
- Spread via sneezing, coughing and direct contact
- Contagious period is from onset of symptoms to no symptoms are present (up to
3 months)
- Incubation period is 5 - 15 days after contact with an infected person.
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- Initial symptoms are similar to a common cold.
- Cough develops where child may have a coughing spasm lasting for a minute or more.
- Characteristic “whooping” sound as the child tries to draw breath.
- Difficulty breathing
- Face may turn red or blue
- May vomit after an attack.
- May have no other symptoms between attacks.
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- Seek medical advice
- Prevention through the routine immunization schedule is recommended
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