As families across Cumbria look forward to the forthcoming festivities in the coming weeks, we want our children to remain healthy.
This is why we are raising awareness of the common childhood ailments around this time of the year - how to reduce the risks and when to seek medical attention.
The NHS Little Orange Book contains advice and tips on how to manage common illnesses and problems that babies and young children often experience in the first five years of their lives. It also has information on more serious conditions, what to look out for and how to help.
Dr Olaniyi Kehinde, Clinical Director of Paediatrics at NCIC, said: “Respiratory illnesses are very common in the winter months and younger children are especially vulnerable. These are the most common ailments around this time of the year:
- Common colds, coughs and sniffles
- Flu
- Bronchiolitis
- Ear and throat infections
- Winter vomiting bug
“Viruses are responsible for these illnesses, and they spread easily by droplets generated when coughing and sneezing, and contact with infected persons or contaminated surfaces. For example, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) commonly cause Bronchiolitis and Norovirus cause the winter vomiting bug. Babies born prematurely are especially at high risk of developing Bronchiolitis. Normal healthy children can catch colds up to 10 times a year.
“Viral wheezes and asthma attacks are also common around this time. Ensure that medicines and inhalers prescribed for your child are effectively used. To avoid running out of medicines during the festive holidays request repeat prescriptions from your GP in good time.”
The good news is that these illnesses will not be serious for most children and they will recover well without complications. However, parents and caregivers should take appropriate precautions to reduce the risks to their children with these simple steps,
- Encourage children and all members of the household to wash their hands frequently with warm soapy water.
- Use a tissue paper to catch your own sneezes and coughs, then bin it appropriately and wash your hands.
- Ensure that toys, worktops, tables and highchairs are cleaned regularly because viruses can live up to 48 hours on surfaces.
- Avoid contact with people unwell with ‘flu-like’ symptoms as much as possible to reduce the risks of spreading the bugs.
In addition, parents should also ensure that their children’s vaccination status is up to date according the UK childhood vaccination schedule. The annual ‘flu jab’ is now given to most children through the nasal route and those eligible should receive the vaccine at the earliest opportunity.
If your child has been identified as eligible for the monthly RSV immunisations from October to February to prevent bronchiolitis, please ensure that they do not miss it.
You should contact your GP or call NHS 111 if your child has
- working harder to breathe
- taking less than half of their normal amount of feeds,
- lethargic or irritable,
- dry nappy for 12 hours or more,
- rashes that do not disappear with pressure.
- persistent high temperatures of 38 degrees or above
Call 999 for an ambulance if your child has
- severe difficulty with breathing,
- duskiness or bluish discolouration of the tongue or lips
- long pauses in breathing.