Big guide to childhood illnesses

Know what you’re dealing with so you can be able to treat it correctly.

We give you the second part of our guide to childhood illnesses: N to W

NNOSE BLEEDS Bleeding from the blood vessels in the nose. SYMPTOMS: Blood running from the nose. HOW SERIOUS? If the nose bleeds are frequent or the blood is copious or carries on for more than half an hour, or if your child gets pale or feels dizzy, call your doctor. TREATMENT: The most common causes of nosebleeds are drying of the nasal membranes, blowing the nose too hard and nose picking which can be prevented with proper lubrication of the nasal passages and not picking the nose. Gently squeeze the soft part of the nose and let your child breathe through her mouth, while she leans forward slightly. Hold it for about 10 minutes. Don’t dab, wipe or blow the nose.

PPERTUSSIS

SYMPTOMS: Tiredness, lack of appetite, runny nose, streaming eyes and a short dry cough that usually occurs at night. Later your child begins to cough on the out breath and, on the intake of breath, makes a whooping sound (which is why it is also known as whooping cough). The coughing may then lead to vomiting. HOW SERIOUS? Take your child to a doctor as soon as you suspect whooping cough, as an antibiotic can abort or reduce the severity of this disease, which can last up to three months. TREATMENT: Give your child soft food and plenty of water. You may halt an attack of coughing by slapping your child gently on the back. You will need to take turns looking after a child with whooping cough at night, as it will exhaust you.

RRINGWORM

Very contagious respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria, also known as whooping cough. A superficial skin infection caused by the tinea fungus, not a worm. SYMPTOMS: This fungus causes oval or round flaky patches with raised and slightly inflamed borders that are itchy, hence the name “ringworm”. They commonly appear in the groin area or on the head. There may be flakes of skin on the head that look like dandruff, or the hair may break just above the scalp. HOW SERIOUS? Take your child to a doctor for an antifungal ointment for the rash.

TREATMENT: Ringworm is not caused by worms, but by a fungus, so it will disappear with an antifungal cream.

ROTAVIRUS

Severe acute gastroenteritis with diarrhoea and vomiting, common in young children. SYMPTOMS: Prolonged diarrhoea and vomiting, together with loss of appetite, tummy ache, lack of energy, fever. HOW SERIOUS? If your baby is under six months, take her to the doctor immediately. Otherwise treat at home, unless symptoms persist after 24 hours. TREATMENT: Let your child take frequent sips of water and rehydration solution (bought at the pharmacy or mixing one litre of cooled, boiled water with eight teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt). Dehydration is a serious side effect of rotavirus. Rotavirus is completely preventable through the rotavirus vaccine that is available on both governmental and private immunisation schedules.

RUBELLA (GERMAN MEASLES)

A usually mild disease caused by the rubella virus. SYMPTOMS: Slight fever and most importantly tender swollen glands at the base of the neck. A rash of flat pink spots develops after about two or three days, but it isn’t itchy. Some children experience joint pain too. HOW SERIOUS? Phone your doctor. Don’t take your child to the doctor because of the risk of infecting pregnant women. TREATMENT: Liquid paracetamol to reduce fever. Plenty of liquids.

SSCABIES

A contagious skin rash caused by a tiny parasite called a human itch mite. SYMPTOMS: Because parasitic mites burrow under the skin to lay their eggs, it is very itchy. The itchiness is worse at night. Thin grey lines on the skin might appear, especially between the fingers,

on the wrists, in the armpits, around the genitals and between the buttocks. Sores and scabs might result from scratching. HOW SERIOUS? See a doctor or speak to a pharmacist because scabies won’t get better without treatment. TREATMENT: A lotion or soap that kills the mite. After your child has been treated you will need to wash (in hot water) and iron all her clothes and bedding. The mites usually die within three days of treatment, but the itchiness could last up to two weeks. Dr Paul Sinclair, a Cape Town based paediatric nephrologist, urges avoidance of toxic applications – rather look for homeopathic remedies.

SINUSITUS

Inflammation and discharge of mucus in the sinus cavity. SYMPTOMS: At first there are symptoms of a cold (runny nose, sore throat) but these might persist longer than usual. Later there could be a yellow-green nasal discharge, pain or “heaviness” in the cheeks and forehead or a headache. Interestingly, says Dr Sinclair, the sinuses only start developing at nine months and are only fully formed by 12 years. HOW SERIOUS? Make an appointment with your doctor, who may prescribe antibiotics. Get a benzoin tincture from the pharmacy that can be inhaled to help clear the sinus passages. TREATMENT: Liquid paracetamol and lots of water. Benzoin tincture in hot water relieves a stuffy nose rapidly. Get your child to put her head over a bowl with this mixture in it and put a towel over her head so that she can breathe in the steam to clear her sinus passages.

STYE

A bacterial infection that causes a tender red lump on the eyelid that looks like a large pimple. SYMPTOMS: Sensitivity or pain on the eyelid at the base of an eyelash. It might develop a head of pus and the skin around it may be inflamed and swollen. HOW SERIOUS? Treat at home. If styes recur, see a doctor. TREATMENT: It usually clears up on its own, but you could press a warm cloth to the area for a few minutes to relieve the pain. Avoid touching the stye as this could spread the infection. It helps to remove the eyelash at the source of the stye for relief.

TTHROAT INFECTIONS

A usually viral infection of the pharynx (throat) and uvula, or even tonsils, but this shouldn’t be confused with tonsillitis. SYMPTOMS: Fever, sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, vomiting, rash, bright red tongue and throat, and also pain when swallowing. HOW SERIOUS? These usually clear up without treatment, but it may be serious if your child is vomiting, has a rash, a red tongue and throat or won’t eat because it hurts. See your doctor if these appear. TREATMENT: Cold, non-acidic drinks to soothe and liquid paracetamol to help relieve pain.

TICK-BITE FEVER

A disease that is passed to humans by ticks that are infected with an organism called Rickettsia africae. SYMPTOMS: Fever, headache, rash, malaise usually following time outdoors or in the wilderness. Also a rash on the palms and feet. There may be a black mark where the bite occurred. HOW SERIOUS? See your doctor. TREATMENT: Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Antibiotics may control the symptoms, but patients usually get better without treatment after two weeks.

UURINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)

An infection, more common in girls than boys, usually occurs in the bladder or urethra, but more serious infections involve the kidney. SYMPTOMS: Fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, lack of energy, burning or sharp pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often, pain in the lower back or abdomen, bed wetting at night, and urine is reddish, pinkish or smoky in appearance and may have a sharp ammoniacal odour. HOW SERIOUS? Make an appointment with the doctor. If your circumcised boy gets a UTI it needs to be urgently investigated, says Dr Sinclair. TREATMENT: Antibiotics will clear the infection. Give your child plenty of water that will dilute the urine and ease the pain of passing burning urine.

VVOMITING

This occurs when stomach contents are forced up and out the mouth. SYMPTOMS: Vomiting and/or diarrhoea, stomachache, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, coughing. SERIOUSNESS: If your child’s vomit is yellow in colour you can treat him at home. However, green vomit needs urgent medical attention and may even need surgery, says Dr Sinclair. TREATMENT: Treatment depends on the accompanying symptoms, but Dr Sinclair says that Zofran is safe and effective in children. Make sure your child takes in lots of water and a rehydration solution often to prevent dehydration.

WWORMS

A parasitic infection in the intestines of pinworms, threadworms or tapeworms, but most commonly roundworm. SYMPTOMS: Depending on the worms that have infested the gut, symptoms include colicky pain, vomiting worms, coughing or wheezing, loose or bloodstained stools, anaemia, itching and inflammation in the anal area and vulva in girls. Small worms can be seen wriggling in faeces especially at night. SERIOUSNESS: Go to a doctor. TREATMENT: Antiparasitic drugs will be prescribed and these will thoroughly treat the infestation.