Although it is quite normal for young children to develop the odd cold and even a bout of measles, mumps or chicken pox on occasion, there are few things more devastating for a parent than a sick child - especially if it is your first baby. To help you as a parent to identify and treat symptoms of common childhood ailments before it becomes life threatening to your precious bundle, GEMS compiled this easy, quick-reference chart that has specifically been designed to provide parents with a guide to most common childhood illnesses.
"Stick this chart on your fridge and refer to it whenever your child gets sick," invites GEMS, South Africa's second largest medical scheme. "We hope this will assist parents in taking the correct and necessary steps when they have an inkling that something is wrong."
Remember to always refer to your doctor for a confirmed diagnosis and advice on what to do next, particularly when an illness is marked with a cross (X). Always take special note of a high fever - that is when the body temperature is 37,8ºC or more. This is usually a sign of a viral illness - typically a cold, sore throat or even one of the common childhood diseases such as measles, mumps or chicken pox.
The Disease: | Symptoms | Cause, incubation, | Treatment | Prevention and | |
| X BRONCHITIS | |||||
Inflammation of the smaller branches of the bronchial tree leading to the lungs. Who is susceptible? | Cold, followed by shallow breathing, weezing when breathing out. Low grade fever (in the region of 38,9oC). Pain in upper chest - worse when coughing. Vomiting | Cause: Untreated respiratory infections such as head colds and sinusitis. Incubation: Via respiratory secretions and preson-to-person contact. Duration: Acute phase 3 days, cough 1-3 weeks, could linger. | See a doctor if a cough is severe and lasts more than 3 days. Home care of child: Stay indoors, consume large amounts of liquids and small, frequent meals. Steam inhalations or humidifier depending on age of child. | Prevention: Treat colds with greater care and take special note of hygiene. Avoid exposing small children to those with respiratory infections. Possible Complications: Bronchopneumonia.
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| CHICKEN POX | |||||
One of the better-known, infectious diseases.
| A general feeling of illness i.e. sore throat, headache, fever. This is followed by a rash - small, red, fluid-filled spots all over the body and face that are very itchy. | Cause: Virus - varicella-zoster. Incubation: 7-21 days. Transmission: Person-to-person; airborne droplets from respiratory secretions. Most contagious: 1-2 days before onset until after scabbing occurs. Duration: 5-20 days. | High temperature, excessive coughing - see doctor. Home care of child: Limit scratching by cutting nails short. Paracetamol to reduce fever. Calamine lotion or Wecesin Powder for itching. Keep the rash clean and dry. | Prevention: No immunisation available. Possible Complications: Bacterial infection. Could be problematic for pregnant women. | |
| DIARRHOEA & X GASTRO-ENTIRITIS | |||||
Frequent, loose stools. Irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract. Who is susceptible? | Abnormal, frequent, runny stools. Abdominal pain and cramps. Vomiting on occasion. Fever and general weakness in the case of gastro-enteritis. | Cause: Food poisoning caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites in contaminated foodstuffs. Food allergies, teething. Viral infections - sometimes elsewhere in the body e.g. ear infection or cold. Stress, nerves and even excitement. Medication e.g. antibiotics. Transmission: As explained in cause. Duration: Varies. | High temperature and excessive fluid loss - see doctor. Home care of child: Changes in diet - bland diet, exclude dairy products in particular and avoid fatty, rich foods. Increase fluid intake. Good sources of liquid: flat coke, clear, diluted apple juice. Antidiarrhoeal medication can be used but should not routinely be taken. | Prevention: Avoidance of foods, beverages and medications that trigger diarrhoea; Meticulous adherence to food safety rules; Feeding yogurt containing live cultures during antibiotic therapy. Complications: Dehydration and shock. | |
| X EAR INFECTION (Otitis Media) | |||||
| Infection of the outer ear canal or in the case of otitis media, also known as middle-ear inflammation. A dull or throbbing pain in one or both ears. Who is susceptible? | Mild to severe pain - even pressure. Discharge. Temporary deafness. Pain worse at night due to pressure when lying down. Fever, fatigue, irritability. Nausea, vomiting, loss or appetite, loose stools. | Cause: Usually by bacteria, sometimes viruses which move into the tiny middle-ear cavity. Infection passed from the nose to throat through a Eustachian tube that does not drain properly. Inflammation from colds, sinusitis, sore throat or allergies. Otitis Media more common in children younger than six due to shorter Eustachian tubes. Transmission: As explained in cause. Duration: Varies. | If there is no improvement, see a doctor. Home care of child: Elevate head during sleep. Use eardrops only if prescribed by doctor.
| Prevention: Protect children's ears when swimming. Spreading: Otitis media with effusion (temporary/permanent hearing impairment). Rarely - mastoid infection. | |
| MEASLES (Rubeola) | |||||
| A contagious viral disease that causes a rash and fever. Mainly affects children but can occur at any age. Who is susceptible? | First symptoms are like cold - fever, runny nose, red watery eyes and cough. Followed by tiny white spots on inside of cheeks - may bleed. Dull red, slightly raised rash begins on forehead and spreads behind ears, downwards - red all over appearance. Lymph glands may be enlarged. | Incubation: 7 to 14 days before symptoms appear. After three to four days symptoms subside and the rash fades. Transmission: Direct contract with respiratory droplets Duration: Infectious period last from onset of first symptoms until four days after rash appears. | See a doctor if complications set in. Home care of child: Plenty of fluids. Paracetamol to reduce fever and discomfort. Warm soaks for rash. Reduced lighting for comfort if eyes are bothered by light. Prevention: Immunisation. | Complications: Acute middle ear infection, pneumonia, encephalitis. X See a doctor if the child develops unusual drowsiness, earache, noisy/fast breathing, vomiting, a severe headache, refuses to drink fluids. | |
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