Common childhood illnesses

Young children are particularly vulnerable to illnesses. Fortunately, for many illnesses immunisations are now available. If you are concerned that your child may have some symptoms of any of the following, make an appointment to see your GP. However, if your child is very ill or you’re concerned that the problem could be serious you should go immediately to A & E.

Measles

How is it spread? Measles is highly infectious and has an incubation period of 10 days. Infection is spread by droplets from the mouth or nose.

What are the symptoms? It starts like a bad cold with lots of catarrh and a temperature. The classic measles rash generally appears after two days.

Mumps

How is it spread? Mumps is a viral illness, with an incubation period from fourteen to twenty-one days.

What are the symptoms? Considerable swelling around the cheeks and neck.

Rubella (previously known as German measles)

How is it spread? Rubella is caused by a virus. It’s spread in the same way as a cold, by tiny droplets produced from the nose and mouth.

What are the symptoms? A fever, rash and swollen glands.

Polio

How is it spread? By contact with the faeces, mucus or saliva of an infected person. The incubation period varies between three and twenty-one days.

What are the symptoms? A headache, feeling generally unwell, an upset stomach, a slightly raised temperature and stiffness of the neck and back which may lead to paralysis.

Diphtheria

How is it spread? By droplets from the nose or mouth. The incubation period is from two to six days.

What are the symptoms? It affects the throat and can cause breathing difficulties, damage to the heart and nervous system, or even death.

Tetanus (also known as lockjaw)

How is it spread? The tetanus organism can be spread through animal bites, or when soil comes into contact with a wound or a cut. It can have a long incubation period, varying from four to twenty-one days.

What are the symptoms? The symptoms of tetanus are painful, spasming muscle contractions in the head and jaw.

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis)

How is it spread? This is a very infectious disease, transmitted by droplets from the nose or mouth. The incubation period is from seven to ten days.

What are the symptoms? It starts in the same way as a cold, but as it progresses, the coughing spasms become more and more severe.

Chickenpox

What is it? Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease caused by one of the herpes group of viruses.

How is it spread? The virus is transmitted from person to person by droplets from the nose or mouth or by close contact with an infected person. The incubation period is from fourteen to twenty-one days.

What are the symptoms? Some children will have a high temperature, and all will develop a rash. The rash will start as little red spots developing tiny blisters on the face and trunk, then spreading to the mouth, throat and genital area. The child is infectious from about two days before the rash appears until all the spots have dried up. This process can take up to ten days.

Impetigo

What is it? Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that usually affects pre-school and school-aged children, but it can also affect toddlers.

How is it spread? The bacteria (usually staphylococcus, but sometimes streptococcus) invades the skin through cold sores, cuts or grazes, eczema, or other damaged or sensitive areas.

What are the symptoms? The infection often develops around the nose and mouth, but it can easily spread to other parts of the body. Impetigo symptoms vary depending on which of two types of bacteria causes the infection.

Streptococcus bacteria bring on tiny blisters that burst easily and expose wet, reddish skin underneath. If staphylococcus bacteria are to blame, the blisters will be larger and more resilient.

As the skin dries, a scabby tan or yellow-brown crust forms over the tender area, causing the skin to itch. Your child may also have a temperature and swollen lymph glands in his face or neck.