Chicken pox – an infectious virus that also causes shingles in adults. Headache and a fever followed by an itchy, spotty red rash that first appears on the chest and then spreads over the body. It eventually turns to blisters and then scabs. Call your GP. Keep your child cool, use calamine to soothe the itching and discourage scratching! Treat a temperature with a fever-reducing medicine such as calpol Croup – a common viral illness. Symptoms come on very suddenly and are worse at night. They include a runny nose, fever and a barking cough, and your child might also lose their voice.
There isn’t a treatment for croup but a steamy atmosphere can help your child breathe. Try turning on all the hot taps in the bathroom and shutting the doors and windows. Eczema – a common viral illness. Itchy, dry skin that can crack and become infected. It usually affects the face, scalp, neck, front of the elbows and behind the knees. Use an emollient (skin moisturiser) to soothe and protect the skin. Pat your child dry after a bath instead of rubbing. Try to avoid irritants such as scented soaps, biological washing powders and bubble bath.
Your GP might recommend an antihistamine to reduce the itching. Headaches – usually a symptom of another illness. Sharp or dull pains in any part of the head. Most headaches will eventually get better after sleep or rest. In the meantime, a medicine such as calpol will ease any discomfort. If you are feeling worried, just give your GP a call. Impetigo – a highly infectious bacterial infection. Small blisters that fill with pus. See your GP who will probably prescribe antibiotics. Keep your child away from other children and make sure they only use their own flannel and towel.
Measles – a highly infectious and serious virus. Feverish symptoms with runny nose, a cough and possibly a headache for a few days. Then a blotchy rash of brownish-red spots appears behind the ears, spreading over the whole body. Puffy red eyes are common too. Call your GP if you suspect your child has measles. Try to reduce their temperature using a treatment such as calpol. Give your child lots of cool drinks. Mumps – a virus passed on through the air or in saliva. Painful swollen glands around the jaw, fever, headache and difficulty eating.
Your child might also complain of a dry mouth and/ or earache. There is no specific treatment so try to treat the symptoms. A fever-reducing medicine such as CALPOL should tackle the temperature and relieve aches. Give your child soft food and lots of fluids. If you are feeling worried, just give your GP a call. Slapped Cheek syndrome – an infectious virus. Bright red flushed cheeks developing into an itchy rash which spreads over the body. Fever is common. It can also lead to a headache and painful joints. There is no treatment for the virus.
Calamine lotion should ease the itching. Try a fever-reducing medicine such as CALPOL to make your child more comfortable and give them lots to drink. If you are feeling worried, just give your GP a call. Tonsillitis – inflammation of the tonsils. A sore throat, fever, white spots on the tonsils. See your GP who will probably prescribe antibiotics. Give your child soothing drinks with a straw if it helps. Reduce their temperature by using a medicine such as CALPOL Whooping cough – a bacterial infection that causes the airways to become inflamed.
Common cold symptoms accompanied by severe coughing fits, sometimes with a ‘whoop’ sound. The coughing can make your child vomit. See your GP as soon as possible. Help your child cough up any phlegm and try to keep them calm, coughing fits can be scary. Asthma – There is no single cause for Asthma, Airways of the lungs become either narrow or completely blocked, impeded normal breathing and causing wheezing. The blockage is reversible, either spontaneously or with medication. See your GP who will provide preventer and reliever inhalers.