It is very normal for children to fall ill during their first few years of life. Their bodies are still building immunity against infections and interacting in the school environment make them more prone to catching a bug.

When the time comes to treat your child at home, being clued-up about childhood illnesses will help you to comfort them and gives you reassurance. Here are three childhood illnesses and how you can treat them at home:

Chickenpox

Most children receive a chickenpox vaccine at the age of 12 months. However, it is still common for children to get infected with the varicella-zoster virus before the age of 10. The virus spreads easily through person-to-person contact, inhaling saliva droplets or coming in contact with an infected person’s mucus.

Adults who have not yet had chickenpox or haven’t been vaccinated, should avoid contact with an infected child. Chickenpox symptoms are much more severe in adults and can develop into shingles.

What are the symptoms?

Chickenpox is recognised by an itchy, blistery skin rash. Your child may also experience other symptoms before the skin rash appears:

• Fever, headache, and tiredness can occur 1 to 2 days before the rash.
• Loss of appetite and stomachache.

The rash acts in stages and lasts between 1-2 weeks:

• An itchy skin rash that looks like small, raised pink or red bumps.
• Fluid-filled blisters that break and leak.
• Scabs start to form after the blisters break.
• Skin looks blotchy and spots fade away.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your healthcare provider will be able to tell if your child has chickenpox by examining their skin rash. Ask your doctor about an antihistamine and soothing cream to help relieve the itching. Medication for fever can also be prescribed.

How can I assist my child?

Relieving the symptoms will help to keep your child comfortable. Here is what you can do:

• Run a cool bath for your child and add oatmeal.
• Gently press a cool cloth against the rash.
• Trim your child’s fingernails and tell them not to scratch.
• Dab Calamine cream on the spots.
• Make sure your child takes in plenty of fluids.

Croup

Children below the age of 5 years often suffer from croup, a respiratory infection that affects the upper airway (area between the nose and mouth). It is contagious and can spread through person to person contact or from inhaling respiratory droplets when someone sneezes or coughs.

Croup usually affects children during winter months and is caused by other viruses like influenza, measles, and adenovirus.

What are the symptoms?

Croup symptoms may at first seem like a cold. However, inflammation causes the upper airway to swell, which worsens the symptoms and makes it difficult for your child to breathe. Look out for the following signs:

• Cold-like symptoms (runny nose and sneezing)
• Fever
• Barky cough
• Loud and difficult breathing
• Hoarse voice
• Raspy sound when breathing in
• Restlessness at night due to difficulty breathing
• Crying and agitation

Diagnosis and treatment

Your healthcare provider will make a diagnosis by listening to your child’s breathing and examining their throat and chest. In mild cases the doctor will prescribe medication to relieve coughing and fever symptoms. More severe cases could require steroid medication to help with opening the airway.

How can I assist my child?

Mild cases can effectively be treated at home. You can do the following to soothe your child:

• Use a mist vaporizer or humidifier to relieve airway irritation.
• Comfort your child as best you can. The more they cry, the harder it is for them to breathe.
• Allow your child to rest properly.
• Increase fluid intake and give your child soft foods like soup.
• Do not let anyone smoke in or around the house.

Ear infections

Ear infections are common amongst toddlers and children under the age of 8 years. The infection is typically caused when bacteria or a virus gets trapped in the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum). Illnesses like a cold, flu and allergies can also cause an ear infection to develop.

What are the symptoms?

Pain and swelling of the eardrum often lead to other symptoms that can include:

• Ear pain, which may be worse when lying down
• Rubbing or tugging at the ear
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fever and headache
• Fluid draining from the ear
• Trouble hearing
• Crying and irritability

Diagnosis and treatment

Your health care provider will diagnose the infection by examining your child’s ear. Treatment depends on your child’s age and how severe the infection is. Antibiotics and medication for pain and fever can be prescribed.

How can I assist my child?

The following can be done at home to help relieve your child’s pain:

• Apply a warm or cold compress to the ear.
• Try to keep your child’s head elevated with a pillow.
• Ensure your child takes in plenty of fluids.
• Apply anaesthetic drops (if prescribed by your doctor).

When your child is sick, we recommended that you closely monitor any symptoms. Visit your health care provider when you notice a change in, or worsening of symptoms.

For more information please contact:

Dr Amukelani Mthombeni, Specialist Paediatrician
MBChB (Medunsa), FCPaed (SA), MMed Peads (SMU)
Randfontein Private Hospital
Tel: +27 (0) 87 087 2744
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Disclaimer: Any information contained here is merely a guideline. Always visit your healthcare practitioner for any health-related advice or diagnosis.