Even though , the wild flowers are out ,there are still an awful lot of tipical winter illnesses about. Now all is fine, if there is an obvious mild self limiting illness like an upper airway infection, or gastro bug and things can be managed with hydration , simplified diet, mild pain and fever killers , decongestants and other over the counter treatments. Kids particular preschool seem to go through 4-6 viral infections every winter each lasting about 3 weeks. 1 week of mild warning and unspecific symptoms, one of full blown illness and one which usually shows some resolving illness.
How to tell the minor from the bad? How does one recognize the more serious bacterial illness like chest infection( pneumonia), bone infection (osteomyelitis) , meningitis , septicaemia , surgical tummy infection or illness , kidney infection.
First Babies - take your baby to the doctors if they: vomit more than once or twice , particular bile stained (green), if they take less fluids than usual, pass much less or no urine, have blood in their stools, are drowsy , have an unusual cry , cry more and are not consolable, are more floppy than expected, if the baby shows hard laboured breathing, (pulling in neck , rib and tummy muscles when breathing) , making a wheezy noise, if the baby looks overly pale or blue , has an obvious rash, especially if it cannot be made to blanch (disappear , when pressed on it).
The older the Child , the easier illness might be spotted, as kids can often tell you what the matter is and symptoms of illness become also more obvious. Chest infection shows with bad cough, fever, sweats, shivers, being off food, and feeling generally unwell, headaches, aches and pains. The child might appear breathless, breathe fast and be blue around the lips. Bone infection different from joint ache of viral flu, shows with high fever , severe pain (child avoiding to use a limb ). Surgical illness including kidney and bladder infection presents with persistent vomiting, sudden severe belly or back pain, child prefers to be still, uncontrollable prolonged fever, fluid refusal, obvious belly swelling, bloody stools, chronic diarrhoea, blood in urine , smelly urine.
Meningitis can often start with as little as a high temperature , a generally unwell feeling or looking child , a child being more tired than usual.
Studies have shown that severe leg and limb pains, cold hands and feet (particular in the feverish child) and pale dusky , bluish skin around the lips could be early and more specific warning signs for meningitis.
Other symptoms that might occur , can be a red or purple rash. Small spots develop at first in groups anywhere on the body. They often grow to become blotchy and look like little bruises, the child could have a stiff neck , severe headache, faster breathing, dislike of bright lights, drowsiness and confusion , repeated vomiting
Mums are always right!, if in doubt get your child checked out - luckily most illness turns out minor and self limiting in children! Seek the advice from your pharmacist , GP , ED doctor , Nurse. See your after hour GP service ! Geraldton has more comprehensive care than a lot of rural towns, including permanent paediatric back up cover to all emergency services. Don’t forget the grandparents and checkout some great online patient advice sources.
Helko Schenk
20 9 2010
Sources:
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Meningitis-Symptom-Check-List.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/default.htm
http://www.racgp.org.au/familyhealth Family Doctor Home Advisor
http://www.healthinsite.gov.au
John Murtagh “ Patient Education”
How to tell the minor from the bad? How does one recognize the more serious bacterial illness like chest infection( pneumonia), bone infection (osteomyelitis) , meningitis , septicaemia , surgical tummy infection or illness , kidney infection.
First Babies - take your baby to the doctors if they: vomit more than once or twice , particular bile stained (green), if they take less fluids than usual, pass much less or no urine, have blood in their stools, are drowsy , have an unusual cry , cry more and are not consolable, are more floppy than expected, if the baby shows hard laboured breathing, (pulling in neck , rib and tummy muscles when breathing) , making a wheezy noise, if the baby looks overly pale or blue , has an obvious rash, especially if it cannot be made to blanch (disappear , when pressed on it).
The older the Child , the easier illness might be spotted, as kids can often tell you what the matter is and symptoms of illness become also more obvious. Chest infection shows with bad cough, fever, sweats, shivers, being off food, and feeling generally unwell, headaches, aches and pains. The child might appear breathless, breathe fast and be blue around the lips. Bone infection different from joint ache of viral flu, shows with high fever , severe pain (child avoiding to use a limb ). Surgical illness including kidney and bladder infection presents with persistent vomiting, sudden severe belly or back pain, child prefers to be still, uncontrollable prolonged fever, fluid refusal, obvious belly swelling, bloody stools, chronic diarrhoea, blood in urine , smelly urine.
Meningitis can often start with as little as a high temperature , a generally unwell feeling or looking child , a child being more tired than usual.
Studies have shown that severe leg and limb pains, cold hands and feet (particular in the feverish child) and pale dusky , bluish skin around the lips could be early and more specific warning signs for meningitis.
Other symptoms that might occur , can be a red or purple rash. Small spots develop at first in groups anywhere on the body. They often grow to become blotchy and look like little bruises, the child could have a stiff neck , severe headache, faster breathing, dislike of bright lights, drowsiness and confusion , repeated vomiting
Mums are always right!, if in doubt get your child checked out - luckily most illness turns out minor and self limiting in children! Seek the advice from your pharmacist , GP , ED doctor , Nurse. See your after hour GP service ! Geraldton has more comprehensive care than a lot of rural towns, including permanent paediatric back up cover to all emergency services. Don’t forget the grandparents and checkout some great online patient advice sources.
Helko Schenk
20 9 2010
Sources:
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Meningitis-Symptom-Check-List.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/health/library/default.htm
http://www.racgp.org.au/familyhealth Family Doctor Home Advisor
http://www.healthinsite.gov.au
John Murtagh “ Patient Education”
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