Cc4

• Acute


  Short term
• Chronic


  Long term
• Sign


  A noticeable change that occurs when a child is ill e.g. loss of appetite, crying
• Symptom


  Something that is experienced by the ill child, e.g. vomiting, high temperature
• Common cold


  • Can be easily caught from air born droplets, or by hand to hand contact. Usual has an incubation period of 2-3 days
  • Child usually have one or more of the following symptoms - a slightly raised temperature, runny nose, sore throat, headache etc.
  • The child should be treated by the parents at home with the appropriate medicines from the pharmacist and by monitoring them
• Chicken Pox


  • Can be easily caught from air born droplets, the rash usually take 10-14 day to come out this is called the incubation period
  • Child usually become is with a high temperature or fever
  • Mild onset then child becomes ill
  • Rash is itchy and spots spread over the body, the spot are red with a white centre, the blister and then dry up and scab over
  • Often children get a headache and are tired
  • Treatment should be at home they child should rest, up their intake of fluids, have Calpol or other medicine to reduce temperature. It is also suggested that nails are cut so the cant scratch
• Food Poisoning


  • Food poisoning can come from food or drink that is infected or not cooked properly. It usually happens 30 -36 hours after the food has been consumed
  • The child would have stomach pain, vomiting, stomach cramps and or diarrhoea
  • The child should be treated by the parents at home the should be given only drinks and fluid for 24 hours
• Gastroenteritis


  • Is more serious than food poisoning but has similar symptoms. Can come from food or drink that is infected or not cooked properly. It usually happens 30 -36 hours after the food has been consumed. Or by being around infected people or objects this can take up to 7 days of incubation
  • The child would have stomach pain, vomiting, stomach cramps and or diarrhoea
  • The child should be treated by replacing fluid and have medication such as diarolite. A GP should be contacted if it last for more than 24 hours
• Measles


  • Spread by contact with coughing and sneezing. Incubation 7-14 days. Caused by a virus, rare in this country since introduction of MMR vaccine
  • Fever, conjunctivitis, cough and/or spots on cheeks or inside mouth. 3-7 days later red, blotchy rash appears which lasts 4-7 days. Complications of pneumonia can occur. Sometimes children become sensitive to light
  • Should be seen by GP to confirm Measles. Then rest, fluid, washing and sponging of rash to aid comfort, shading from light so it doesn't hurt their eyes
• Mumps


  • Caused by a virus spread through contact with saliva and air droplets
  • Incubation normally 18 days but can be 12-25 days
  • Fever, swelling of one or more salivary glands in the neck. Pain or aching body but especially neck. Hurt to eat and drink. Swelling in the face and or neck
  • Mumps virus can cause meningitis and deafness
  • Child must see a GP, fluids must be kept up (use a straw so it doesn't hurt as much). Hot compress to ease swelling
• Tonsillitis


  • Caught by direct contact
  • Child will get a fever, sore throat, head ache or have trouble/pain when swallowing. Then they might feel achy and tired
  • Can be diagnosed by a GP. Antibiotics may be needed along with rest, fluids and thinks such as cold drinks and food to ease pain while eating and drinking
• Meningitis


  • A child with meningitis may have any of the following symptoms
  • The rash doesn't fade under presser so a glass test is often suggested to help diagnose
  • Medical help is needed immediately as the condition is deadly and fast treatment is vital
  • Not all symptoms are needed and even if a child has been seen by a doctor if it gets worse or other symptoms appear an ambulance should be called
• When to take the child to the G.P.

  • if mumps is suspected
  • if measles is suspected
  • for tonsillitis that requires antibiotics
  • vomiting/diarrhoea if child is very young
• When to call an ambulance:

  • if a child stops breathing
  • if the child has breathing difficulties
  • severe or persistent vomiting and/or diarrhoea
  • symptoms of meningitis
  • cannot be woken
  • appears to have severe abdominal pain
  • if the child has a fit for the very first time
  • unconscious/unaware of what is going on
• Signs that a child is ill:

  • loss of appetite
  • becoming 'clingy'
  • continuous crying
  • lethargic/listless
  • irritable/fretful
  • quieter than usual
• Symptoms of an illness:

  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • high temperature/fever
  • breathing difficulties
  • Fitting/seizures
  • developing a rash
  • unresponsive
• High Temperature


  • Sometimes it is necessary to lower the temperature of the child, this can be done by: Sponging or bathing them using lukewarm water, Removing clothing, Removing bedding sheets and blankets, Using a fan, Medication
  • Ear and digital thermometer are good because: They give accurate measurements, They are fast, Figures are easy to read, Simple to use, Safe to use
  • Forehead thermometers are made from liquid crystals that change colour when held against the head. They are less accurate and less easy to use
  • The normal temperature reading for a child is between 36 and 37 degrees centigrade
  • High temperature is a symptom of a child being ill
  • It is important that if a child's temperature is over 37 you try to bring it down
  • If over 40 you should seek medical advice
• Seizures


  • Seizures can be caused by conditions such as epilepsy or due to the child having a high temperature
  • It is sometimes called fitting and usually is violent muscle twitching
  • An ambulance should be called as seizures can caused other injuries as people fall to the floor or because the have banged their body as it stiffens
  • The person should not be restraint but just stopped as much as possible from banging themselves, when the fit stops they should be left in the recovery position till help arrives
• Unresponsive


  • Most common- Limp
  • If someone is not moving and does not respond when you call them or gently shake their shoulders, they are unresponsive
  • When a person is unresponsive, their muscles relax and their tongue can block their airway so they can no longer breathe. Tilting their head back opens the airway by pulling the tongue forward. If they are not breathing, their chest and stomach will not be moving and you will not hear or feel their breaths
  • An ambulance should be called
  • If someone is limp, their body has no strength and is not moving, for example, because they are asleep or unconscious
  • Their arms might fall from their side or look heavy
  • This is usually a symptom you see alongside being unconscious or unresponsive
  • An ambulance should be called
• Breathing difficulties


  • Breathing difficulties can happen because of multiple reasons: Contact with allergens such as dust pollen or pet hair, Having a cold, Experiencing stress, Extreme cold, Coughing or wheezing, Asthma – children should be diagnosed with this and have an inhalior to help relieve symptoms
  • To support a child with breathing difficulties: Sit the child upright and leaning forward – never lie down, Stay with them and reasure them, Try to help them regulate their breathing, If it worsens or persist call for an ambulance
• Help its an emergency….or is it?

  • A temperature of 38.6°C that does not come down with medicine / other treatment. A temperature of 37.8°C for over a day
  • Has a cough
  • Has persistent vomiting and diarrhoea and seems dehydrated
  • Has symptoms of meningitis
  • Is chocking
  • Bulging fontanelle
  • Has a grazed knee
  • Has convulsions / fits
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Has mild sunburn
  • Has severe sunburn
  • Cannot be woken / unconscious
  • Has swallowed a poisonous substance
  • Has severe bleeding
  • Has a suspected broken bone
• Passive immunity


  • The baby is GIVEN immunity from the mother through the PLACENTA
  • The baby will be given immunity to ANY disease the mother has been VACCINATED against or has had
  • Baby can be given immunity through breast feeding
  • This immunity will last for around 2 months
• Vaccination


  A medically produced sample of a dieses that is given to the body in a small dose so that next time it comes into contact with the dieses it can recognise it and fight it
• Vaccinations


  • Will protect from serious diseases – check your vaccination schedule
  • Have been successful in eradicating some diseases
  • Have side effects such as swelling, high temperature and irritation but these are less risks than the illness itself
• Needs of an ill child

  • PHYSICAL: Food, Drink, Rest, Sleep, Temperature control, exercise, fresh air, safety, hygiene, medicine, checks and awareness
  • EMOTIONAL: Love, Security, Play, Contact with others
  • SOCIAL: Contact with others
  • INTELLECTUAL: Play, Stimulation, appropriate activities
• Preparation for a stay in hospital

  1. Visit if possible

  2. Talk about their feelings

  3. Be honest

  4. Keep explanations simple

  5. Don't let them see you worry

  6. Play 'hospital' games

  7. Be involved in your child's care

  8. Take their favourite toy or comforter

  9. Take in games, computers and DVD's etc.

  10. They could pack the case

  11. Let staff know sleeping patterns and any other relevant information
• Immunisation


  The process of making a person immune to an infectious disease, typically by administering a vaccine
• Vaccination


  The act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease
• Active immunity


  Immunity acquired through exposure to a disease-causing organism, either through natural infection or vaccination
• Babies and young children get a high temperature when ill
• Checking temperature and lowering high temperature

  1. Most accurate way to check temperature

  2. How to lower high temperature
• Preparing a child for a stay in hospital

  1. Visit if possible

  2. Talk about their feelings

  3. Be honest

  4. Keep explanations simple

  5. Don't let them see you worry

  6. Play 'hospital' games

  7. Be involved in your child's care

  8. Take their favourite toy or comforter

  9. Take in games, computers and DVD's etc.

  10. Let staff know sleeping patterns and any other relevant information
• Chicken pox is an illness that a 2 year old Ellie is suffering from
• Advising how to look after Ellie with chicken pox

  1. Consider PIES (positives and negatives)

  2. Physical - Treatments

  3. Intellectual - Entertaining them

  4. Emotional - Contact and support from parent

  5. Social - Limiting contact with others
• Hazard


  An item or situation that may cause harm
• Risk


  The likelihood of a hazard actually causing harm
• Children need adults to make their environments safe
• A risk assessment can be done to identify the hazards and then reduce the risk that each one presents
• Adults can reduce the risk of accidents as much as possible but accidents can still happen
• Sometimes products can be bought that help reduce the risk