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Dr Khalid Bhatti
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Common childhood illnesses

Draft. This page has not yet been reviewed by the doctor.

Most childhood illnesses are mild and settle with rest, fluids and time. This page explains the problems seen most often at the clinic, what you can do at home, and when your child needs to be seen.

Fever

Fever is a rise in body temperature, usually caused by an infection. It is common in children and is often a sign that the body is fighting the infection.

What you can do at home

  • Offer plenty of fluids. Continue breastfeeding if your baby is breastfed.
  • Dress your child in light clothing and keep the room comfortable.
  • Let your child rest.
  • Give fever medicine only as a doctor has advised for your child's age and weight.

Bring your child to the clinic if

  • the fever continues for more than two days
  • your child is drinking much less than usual
  • there is ear pain, a sore throat, a rash, or pain when passing urine
  • you are worried, even if there is no other sign

Go to an emergency department if

  • your baby is under three months old and has a fever
  • your child has a fit
  • your child is very drowsy, floppy or hard to wake
  • your child has difficulty breathing
  • there is a rash that does not fade when you press on it

Cough, cold and chest infections

Coughs and colds are usually caused by viruses and get better on their own within one to two weeks. A chest infection is an infection deeper in the lungs and needs a doctor's assessment.

What you can do at home

  • Give plenty of fluids and let your child rest.
  • Keep your child away from cigarette smoke and other smoke.
  • Do not give cough or cold medicines unless a doctor has advised them.

Bring your child to the clinic if

  • the cough lasts more than two weeks
  • there is a fever along with the cough
  • you hear wheezing or noisy breathing
  • your child is feeding or drinking poorly

Go to an emergency department if

  • breathing is fast or laboured, or the chest pulls in with each breath
  • the lips or face look blue or very pale
  • your child is too breathless to feed, drink or speak

Diarrhoea and vomiting

Diarrhoea and vomiting are usually caused by a stomach infection and settle within a few days. The main danger is dehydration, which means the body losing too much water.

What you can do at home

  • Give ORS (oral rehydration solution) in small, frequent sips, prepared exactly as the packet says.
  • Continue breastfeeding.
  • Keep offering food when your child is willing to eat.
  • Wash your hands with soap after changing nappies and before preparing food.

Bring your child to the clinic if

  • the diarrhoea lasts more than a few days
  • there is blood in the stool
  • your child is passing less urine than usual or has a dry mouth
  • your baby is under six months old

Go to an emergency department if

  • your child cannot keep any fluids down
  • your child is very drowsy or floppy
  • the eyes look sunken, or your child is passing very little or no urine

Ear and throat infections

Ear and throat infections are common in young children and cause pain, fever and difficulty swallowing. Many are caused by viruses.

What you can do at home

  • Give fluids and soft food that is easy to swallow.
  • Let your child rest.
  • Do not put oil or drops in the ear unless a doctor has advised it.

Bring your child to the clinic if

  • there is ear pain or fluid coming from the ear
  • a sore throat with fever lasts more than two days
  • your child finds it hard to swallow food

Go to an emergency department if

  • your child cannot swallow saliva and is drooling
  • your child has difficulty breathing
  • there is a stiff neck, or swelling and redness behind the ear

Skin rashes

Rashes in children have many causes, including viral infections, heat, allergies and dry skin. Most are harmless, but some need treatment.

What you can do at home

  • Keep the skin clean and dry, and dress your child in loose cotton clothing.
  • Avoid new soaps or creams that may have caused the rash.
  • Do not use medicated creams unless a doctor has advised them.

Bring your child to the clinic if

  • the rash comes with a fever
  • the rash is spreading, blistering or looks infected
  • itching is disturbing your child's sleep
  • the rash has not improved after a few days

Go to an emergency department if

  • the rash does not fade when you press on it and your child is unwell
  • the lips, face or tongue are swelling
  • your child has difficulty breathing

Allergies and asthma

Asthma causes repeated episodes of cough, wheeze and difficult breathing, often at night or with a cold. Allergies can affect the nose, eyes, skin or chest.

What you can do at home

  • Keep your child away from smoke, dust and other things that bring on symptoms.
  • Use any inhaler or medicine exactly as the doctor has shown you.
  • Bring the inhaler and spacer to every clinic visit.

Bring your child to the clinic if

  • your child coughs or wheezes often, especially at night
  • symptoms return every time your child has a cold
  • the usual treatment seems to be helping less than before

Go to an emergency department if

  • your child is struggling to breathe
  • your child is too breathless to speak or feed
  • the lips look blue
  • the inhaler is not helping

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