CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES AND CONDITIONS

This section is not meant to be the definitive answer for the treatment and care of childhood illnesses. It is meant to be an informative guide to recognizing the common signs and symptoms associated with the medical conditions. There is no substitute for a doctor, so if any child you are involved with becomes unwell and exhibits unfamiliar signs and symptoms, contact the family GP or the ambulance service immediately.

Most common childhood diseases are preventable, and prophylactic measures in the form of immunization are readily available. Unfortunately, incidences of some of the more serious diseases such as Whooping Cough and Measles/Rubella are on the increase due to children in the `at risk' age group not being inoculated against the diseases.

There are many social reasons why some children are not immunized, but few `reasons' provide comfort to a child infected with a potentially fatal disease. It is true that there is a risk that a tiny percentage of children have an adverse reaction to certain inoculations. However, the risk of serious illness by not immunizing children against diseases is far greater. If you are unsure about immunization and have any misgivings, contact your GP or your local children's' medical health facility for advice.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an infection of the airway. It can be acute, with a rapid onset, or chronic, with recurrent episodes. While not life-threatening, complications can lead to pneumonia.

Signs and symptoms are: dry cough, slight fever (approx. 38oC), mild chest discomfort, wheezing and uncomfortable respirations.

Treatment is with medication, so contact your doctor for advice, especially when very young children are affected, or if the condition is recurrent.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Chickenpox is very contagious. It is a viral disease, usually mild in children. To date, no successful preventative inoculation has been developed, so the disease is widespread throughout the population. Complications from the disease are rare, and are usually restricted to infections of the Chickenpox blisters.

Signs and symptoms are; mild fever (38-40oC), illness for 1 or 2 days, skin eruptions or blisters that appear anywhere on the body, including the mouth, nose, penis, vagina and the head. Limbs are least affected. The blisters form scabs after 24 hours, and new blisters appear every 2 - 3 days.

The application of cool compresses reduces the `itchiness' of the blisters and discourages scratching by the child. Contact your GP or local child health centre for advice.

Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex)

Cold sores are a common viral infection, and are very contagious. Generally, the lips, mouth, and sometimes the genitals are affected. In some rare instances, the cornea of the eye is also affected. The virus is transmitted by person-to-person contact, or by contact with an infected person's saliva or discharge from the sore. The blisters are contagious until they heal. The virus remains dormant in the system for months before `flare up', and it is usual for the disease to recur periodically.

Signs and symptoms are; eruptions of small blisters grouped together, pain at the affected site, blisters are surrounded by reddened tissue. If the eye is affected; pain and redness to the eye, eye discomfort and sensitivity to light. A `flare up' is common after prolonged exposure to the sun.

Contact your GP, especially during the first incidence. Treatment is usually by medication to hasten the healing of the blisters. It is crucial that a doctor is consulted immediately if you suspect that the eye is affected.

Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is a yellow encrustation on the scalp of an infant caused by overstimulation of oil glands in the child's skin. It is a mild form of dermatitis. It is NOT due to poor hygiene, and is generally caused by extreme weather conditions, infrequent or incorrect (adult strength) shampoos, or associated skin disorders.

Signs and symptoms are; thick, yellowish scales on the child's scalp, associated reddening, may be some discomfort and itching in extreme cases.

Use of baby soap and shampoo, with mild scalp massage will loosen the scale. If the encrustation will not loosen easily, apply baby oil and warm cloths to the scalp before massaging. If the condition does not respond to this treatment, contact your local child health centre for advice.

Middle Ear Infection

Middle ear infections are usually associated with either viral or bacterial infections, which invade the ear from the nose and throat. Other causes may be a blockage of the sinuses and tubes by infection, or by infection introduced through a ruptured eardrum. This type of infection is common to infants and the very young.

Signs and symptoms are; earache, pulling at the ear, mild fever, irritability, hearing loss. BE AWARE THAT AN INCREASE IN FEVER MAY LEAD TO FEBRILE CONVULSIONS.

Contact your GP or local child health centre for advice. Antibiotics may be required to arrest the infection.

Earwax Blockage

Earwax blockage is due to the overproduction of wax by glands in the outer ear. Wax is produced normally as a form of protection for the ear canal and the eardrum. Overproduction of wax can cause a complete blockage of the ear canal with associated hearing loss.

Signs and symptoms are; decreased hearing, visible quantities of wax in the ear canal, `ringing' in the ear, and (rarely) pain in the ear.

Wax can be removed with non-prescription eardrops. Instill the drops into the child's ear in accordance with directions on the container. Avoid `flushing' the child's ear with water or other fluids by using pressure. Any fluids introduced into the ear should be carefully allowed to `run' into the ear canal. If, after treatment, the ear does not appear clear, or hearing has not returned to normal, contact your GP for advice. DO NOT attempt to remove wax from the ear canal with cotton buds or other devices. This may cause damage to the ear and will compact the wax further into the canal.

Head Lice (Pediculosis)

Pediculosis is inflammation of the skin caused by tiny parasites (lice) which congregate in the hairy parts of the body, which in children is the scalp. The lice bite through the skin to obtain blood, causing red bite marks, and lay their eggs attached to the hairs (`nits'). Head lice are spread by contact with an infested person or clothing. Head lice are common to pre-schools and schools, irrespective of the social standing of the establishment.

Signs and symptoms are; itching and scratching, scalp inflammation, active lice and `nits' in the scalp hair, (rarely) enlarged lymph glands in the neck.

Contact your local child health centre or GP for advice. Treatment is generally by medicated shampoos and creams. Ensure that treatment is continued for at least five days after the lice disappear, as they can recur. Be sure to tell the child's school or pre-school, and playmates' families so that they can take precautions.

Measles

The common form of measles (`red measles') is a serious viral illness that infects the skin and, more importantly, the respiratory tract. Measles is very contagious, and is fatal to those communities that have no historical immunity, such as indigenous populations. The incubation period is 7-12 days after exposure, and possible complications associated with the disease are pneumonia, meningitis or encephalitis. Measles is becoming more common in the community after a period of low incidence. It is preventable by immunization.

Signs and symptoms are; fever (39oC+), sneezing and runny nose, harsh, hacking, dry cough, red eyes sensitive to light, white spots in the mouth and throat, red rash spreading from the ears and forehead to the rest of the body.

Contact your GP for treatment and advice. Encourage the child not to watch TV or read as this exacerbates the child's sensitivity to light and makes the eyes irritable. Keep constant observation of the child's temperature.

German Measles (Rubella)

Rubella is a viral illness, usually mild in onset. The danger with this illness is in the spread to pregnant women. A woman who contracts Rubella in the first 3 or 4 months of pregnancy is at risk of giving rise to severe defects in the unborn child. Rubella is preventable by immunization, and all non-pregnant females of childbearing age should be immunized.

Signs and symptoms are; slight fever, muscle aches, stiff neck, fatigue, slight red rash on the child's head and body after 2-3 days, swollen neck lymph glands.

Contact your GP for advice. Ensure that your child does not have known contact with pregnant women. The child usually recovers within a week.

Meningitis

Meningitis is a term used to indicate inflammation of the thin membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be caused by viral (Aseptic Meningitis), or bacterial (Spinal Meningitis) infections. It can also be caused by exposure to certain fungi (yeasts), and by reaction to other viral infections such as Measles. Viral meningitis is contagious, and becomes more virulent as it spreads.

Signs and symptoms are; fever (39oC or greater), sweating, chills, headache, irritability, eyes sensitive to light, stiff neck, vomiting, confusion, lethargy, may have sore throat, may have red skin rash.

Should your child exhibit some of the above signs and symptoms, and you are suspicious of his or her ability to respond appropriately, take the child to hospital. If the child is feverish, vomiting and drowsy, CALL AN AMBULANCE. Remember that meningitis involves hospitalization, so the earlier you contact the experts, the better.

Mumps

Mumps is a viral disease which causes swelling of the salivary glands. The virus is transmitted person-to-person, and has an incubation period of 14 - 20 days after contact. Mumps is most common in children between the ages of 2 and 12 years, though adults are susceptible to the virus. Immunization is available.

Signs and symptoms are; mild fever, headache, very sore throat, painful swelling of the salivary glands (between the ear and jaw). Complications involve swelling of the testicles (males), and abdominal pain (females).

Contact your GP for advice. There is no definitive medication for the infection. The affected child requires careful observation to ensure that complications such as meningitis or swollen testicles do not go untreated.

Thrush (Oral Thrush)

Thrush is a common fungus infection of the mouth, especially affecting the newborn and infants. It affects the mouth, tongue, gums and soft palate. Occasionally, the lips and cheeks are affected. Thrush is caused by a fungus called Candida Albicans, and is due to the newborn picking up a yeast infection from the mother when passing through the birth canal, or in infants, by acquiring some foreign substance which upsets the balance of organisms in its mouth. It is likely to recur.

Signs and symptoms are; white/yellow patches in the mouth, dry mouth, and small ulcers if the patches are wiped off.

Ensure that the child's eating utensils, teats, etc. are boiled to prevent passing the thrush on to others. Swab the child's mouth with non-prescription mouthwash available from a pharmacy. If the thrush does not clear up within 3 days, contact your child health centre for advice.

Tonsillitis (Pharyngitis)

Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the lymph tissue at the back of the throat. Tonsils are at their largest, and most susceptible to infection, between the ages of 4 years and puberty. Tonsillitis is contagious and is caused by either viral or bacterial infection.

Signs and symptoms are; pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, chills, fever (40oC or greater), swollen glands above the jaw, headache, earache, (rarely) cough.

Contact your GP or child health centre for advice. Some infections indicate that antibiotics may be required. Repeated bouts of tonsillitis may necessitate surgery to remove the tonsils.

Intestinal Worms

The common intestinal worms that infest children are; tapeworm, roundworm and threadworm. Worms are intestinal parasites that have different breeding cycles and depend on the human host in order to live and reproduce. Eggs of the worms are introduced into the child's body by various means, e.g.. pets, dirt, uncooked food, contact with an infected person. The systems of the body affected are the stomach, intestinal tract, bowel, and lungs. Although parents may deny it, most children at one time or another, become infested with the parasites.

Signs and symptoms are; loss of appetite, weight loss, restless sleep, nocturnal teeth grinding, irritation and itching around the anus, diarrhoea, (rarely) abdominal pains/cramps, and (in the case of roundworms) dry cough.

The most effective treatment is regular ingestion of non-prescription anti-worm medication. Taken by the entire family on a regular basis, medication will break the reproductive cycle of any parasites ingested by humans. Ensure that the household pets are dosed regularly with animal worming medication.