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When should I be concerned about my sick child?
If your child is fretful, listless, cranky, lethargic, hot, pale or flushed, it is a good idea to take them to the doctor. The most common symptoms of childhood illness are fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain, rash, cough and headache. Almost all babies, toddlers and children will get the most common childhood illnesses like chickenpox, colds, sore throats and ear infections. Read more about these conditions and other childhood illnesses that include: Asthma. Colds are the most common contagious disease in children. Some of the symptoms include: Tickle in the throat. Runny or stuffy nose. Give them a lukewarm sponge bath (but be sure to stop if your child starts to shiver). Ensure they’re drinking lots of liquids so that they stay hydrated. Dress them in lightweight clothing and lower room temperatures. Allow them to rest – in most cases, you shouldn’t wake a sleeping child to give them fever medicine. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 in children are cough and fever. Possible signs and symptoms include: Fever. Cough that becomes productive.
When should I be concerned about my sick child?
You should contact your GP if: your child is repeatedly vomiting and is unable to hold down fluids. you think they’re dehydrated – symptoms of dehydration can include a dry mouth, crying without producing tears, urinating less or not wetting many nappies, and drowsiness. their vomit is green or contains blood. Get advice from 111 now if: you or your child (over 5 years) still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets. you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down. you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom. According to the chart, you should ask the mother about the child’s problem and check the child for general danger signs. Then ask about the four main symptoms: cough or difficult breathing, diarrhoea, fever and ear problem. A child who has one or more of the main symptoms could have a serious illness. Check ALL sick children for general danger signs. A general danger sign is present if: ➢ the child is not able to drink or breastfeed ➢ the child vomits everything ➢ the child has had convulsions ➢ the child is lethargic or unconscious. A child with a general danger sign has a serious problem. Vomiting over 24 hours (if no accompanying diarrhea) and no signs of dehydration. Ear pain. Fever (100.4 or over) lasting over three days in child over 3 months. Cough or cold symptoms lasting longer than 10 days.
Is my child getting sick too often?
Frequent illness is a normal part of childhood – in fact, it’s perfectly normal for your child to come down with respiratory and/or stomach bugs six to eight times each year! Q: In your opinion, how often will most children get sick? A: It varies a lot among kids. But most babies, toddlers and preschoolers can have as many as 12 colds a year and still be normal. On average, you’ll probably see between seven and eight infections a year. It’s very normal for kids to contract illnesses frequently as their immune systems build. The main reason your child is getting all those infections is that he or she is being exposed to new viruses all the time. The viruses are everywhere no matter how much you sanitize and clean. There are at least 200 different cold viruses and they’re constantly getting tricky, mutating all the time. A virus is a germ that causes infections such as the common cold, bronchiolitis, tonsillitis, ear infections, influenza, mumps and chickenpox. There are hundreds of different viruses. Colds are very common in healthy children and on average, preschool children get at least six colds per year.
How can I treat my sick child at home?
Dress your child in lightweight, breathable clothes. Make sure they rest a lot and drinks plenty of fluids (such as water, juice, and Popsicles). Don’t give aspirin to children or teens due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome. Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help bring down a fever. Typically, most fevers subside in three to four days and require nothing more than proper hydration, over-the-counter medication and rest. Depending on the age of your child and how high the temperature, you may want to allow nature to take its course. Typically, most fevers subside in three to four days and require nothing more than proper hydration, over-the-counter medication and rest. Depending on the age of your child and how high the temperature, you may want to allow nature to take its course. The best treatment is rest at home. Antibiotics will not help treat viral illnesses. If your child does not improve after 48 hours, or their symptoms get worse, see your GP. Antibiotics may be needed if your child has: Symptoms of a sinus infection do not get better in 10 days, or they get better and then worse again. Yellow-green nasal discharge and a fever of at least 102° F for several days in a row. Strep throat, based on a rapid strep test or a throat culture. Put saline (saltwater) drops in the nostrils to relieve nasal congestion. Rn a cool-mist humidifier to increase air moisture. Dab petroleum jelly on the skin under the nose to soothe rawness. Give hard candy or cough drops to relieve sore throat (only for kids older than 6).
What are the behavior of a sick child?
When a child/young person is unwell, some common behavioural and emotional difficulties include: Acting younger than their age (e.g. crying more, wetting, more clingy). Feeling anxious or panicky. Feeling irritable or frustrated. It can make them behave badly or get physically sick. Children react to angry, stressed parents by not being able to concentrate, finding it hard to play with other children, becoming quiet and fearful or rude and aggressive, or developing sleeping problems. Effect of Parents’ Stress on Children For example, parents’ own anxiety and household stress have been linked to their children’s emotional problems, including behavior issues, aggression, anxiety, and depression (Fields et al., 2021). Signs of ADHD in children trouble focusing on activities and becoming easily distracted. low attention span while playing or doing schoolwork. fidgeting, squirming, or otherwise having trouble sitting still. constantly needing movement or frequently running around.