Childhood Illnesses
Useful Online resources for Children:
How do I know if my child is ill?
My child feels hot.
My child has diarrhoea.
My child has been sick. How can I help the Doctor before he sees my child ?
TEMPERATURE
Normal Temperature is 36 - 37C High Temperature is 38C or above.
Signs that your child may have a temperature
1. Red face.
2. Not their usual self- may be crabby/restless.
3. Feel hot to touch.
4. May be sleepier than usual Action that you can take to help:
- Give Paracetamol regularly, check instructions.
(No more than 4 times in 24 hours ). - Make sure they are not over dressed.
Vest & pants or vest & nappy are sufficient. Tepid sponging may help. - Give them extra of their favourite cool drinks
"If you have done this and after 24 hours your child is no better or if they develop other problems then contact the Doctor."
DIARRHOEA
Signs that your child has diarrhoea:
1. Frequent runny poos.
2. They may have tummy ache. If your child is otherwise well then it is likely that the diarrhoea will settle within 24 hours.
Action that you can take to help:
If your baby is Breast fed: Continue to feed them when they are due their feed. You can give them extra drinks or rehydration fluids (e.g. Dioralyte) between feeds. For more advice ask your Health Visitor.
If your baby is Bottle fed:
Offer as much fluid as your baby needs for the first 4 hours. If they still have diarrhoea then give them some rehydration fluid (Dioralyte) between their bottle feed for the next 8 hours. Now introduce normal feeds.
For Older Children:
Avoid solid food or cows milk for 24 hours Give them plenty of drinks Rehydration fluid will help - use as instructions. If you have done all these things and they become worse or if new symptoms develop then seek medical advice. For more advice ask your Health Visitor or GP.
VOMITING
Babies under 6 months who are vomiting -
seek advice from your GP, NHS Direct or Accident & Emergency Dept.
Babies over 6 months who are vomiting with no other symptoms -
If your baby is Breast fed: Continue to breast feed them as normal.
If your baby is Bottle fed: Introduce rehydration fluids in small frequent amounts - reintroduce milk gradually. Avoid solids for 12 hours.
Older children - Vomiting with no other symptoms:
-
- Avoid food for 12 hours.
- Start with sips of water or rehydration fluid.
- If they are able to keep this down then build up their fluids gradually.
- After 8 hours try food again, give them what they feel like - avoid fatty or spicy foods.
If vomiting continues for more than 24 hours or they develop any more symptoms then seek medical advice
WHAT TO KEEP IN THE MEDICINE CABINET
Paracetamol or Calpol. Dioralyte (Rehydration fluid). Thermometer.
HOW TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
1. Ring NHS Direct 0845 46 47
2. Contact your GP 08451 222 686
3. Go to NHS walk-in centre at RHH. (Open 8am - 10pm every day.)
4. IN EMERGENCY DIAL 999
| For Appointments Home visits Telephone enquiries Please call: 08451 222 686 |