Children’s Health
Respiratory illness in children
We’re seeing an increase in respiratory illness in children, with cases higher than usual and further increases expected over the winter months.
Symptoms of severe respiratory infection in children include a high temperature of 37.8°C or above (fever), a dry and persistent cough, difficulty feeding, rapid or noisy breathing (wheezing).
Most cases of respiratory illness are not serious and clear up within 2 to 3 weeks, but parents should contact their GP or call NHS 111 if:
- Their child struggles to breathe.
- Their child has taken less than half their usual amount during the last 2 or 3 feeds, or they have had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more.
- The child has a persistent high temperature of 37.8C or above.
Some children under 2, especially those born prematurely or with a heart condition, can suffer more serious consequences from these common respiratory infections.
Find out more about the symptoms and what to do here.
Download NHS Bronchiolitis Advice Sheet
What is RSV?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds in winter. Most adults and children will get a mild respiratory infection but it can be severe in infants under 2 and lead to bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is an infection of the lower airways, that makes the airways inflamed and mucusy, making it harder to breathe.
Good respiratory and hand hygiene can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
Children and Asthma
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.
There’s currently no cure, but there are simple treatments and most people with asthma can live normal lives.
- wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
- breathlessness or shortness in breath
- a tight chest – when you inhale it may feel like something is contracting around your chest
- coughing
Many things can cause these symptoms, but they’re more likely to be asthma if they:
- happen often and keep coming back
- are worse at night and early in the morning
- seem to happen in response to an asthma trigger like exercise or an allergy (such as to pollen or animal fur)
There are a number of things that can trigger an asthmatic response:
- infections like colds and flu
- allergies – such as to pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers
- smoke, fumes and pollution
- medicines – particularly anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin
- emotions, including stress, or laughter
- weather – such as sudden changes in temperature, cold air, wind, thunderstorms, heat and humidity
- mould or damp
- exercise
Asthma can be treated in a number of different ways but speak to a healthcare professional before pursuing any of them. These treatments include
- Inhalers
- Medication
- Complementary therapies - such as breathing exercises.
Those suffering from severe asthma may be offered surgery.
Managing your child’s asthma
Day to day life can present itself with challenges but when properly managed young people with asthma can live normal lives.
Things you can do:
- Correctly using your inhaler - Asthma UK has information about using your inhaler, and you can ask a nurse or GP for advice if you’re still not sure
- Regularly exercise
- Always check medication before giving it to your child -Some medication is unsuitable for people who suffer from asthma ask a pharmacist, doctor or nurse if you’re not sure.
- Eating healthy - A balanced diet can help to control symptoms
- Receiving vaccinations - It is important your child receives their annual flu shot, speak to your asthma nurse to find out more.
Outside of the home
Children with well controlled Asthma are able to participate normally in school and nursery. However, it is important to make sure your child’s school has all the necessary information about their condition.
Staff at the school should be able to recognise worsening asthma symptoms and know what to do in the event of an attack, particularly staff supervising sport or physical education.
You can find out more information - Asthma UK: asthma at school and nursery
Asthma attacks
Sometimes your child’s condition can worsen and this can lead to an asthma attack. Following the right plan provided by a health care professional will greatly reduce the risk of this happening.
Symptoms of an asthma attack:
- your symptoms are getting worse (cough, breathlessness, wheezing or tight chest)
- your reliever inhaler (usually blue) is not helping
- you’re too breathless to speak, eat or sleep
- your breathing is getting faster and it feels like you cannot catch your breath
- your peak flow score is lower than normal
- children may also complain of a tummy or chest ache
If you think you’re having an asthma attack, you should:
- Sit upright (do not lie down) and try to take slow, steady breaths. Try to remain calm, as panicking will make things worse.
- Take 1 puff of your reliever inhaler (usually blue) every 30 to 60 seconds, up to a maximum of 10 puffs.
- Call 999 for an ambulance if you do not have your inhaler with you, you feel worse despite using your inhaler, you do not feel better after taking 10 puffs or you’re worried at any point.
- If the ambulance has not arrived within 15 minutes, repeat step 2.
If your symptoms improve and you do not need to call 999, get an urgent same-day appointment to see a GP or asthma nurse.
My Spira App
Developed for children aged between 6 – 13, the MySpira app includes 8, fun modules, that use augmented reality and gameplay to offer the very best asthma education.
Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
Tummy bugs are extremely common in young children and are almost always caused by a virus. They are easily spread, resulting in outbreaks in nurseries and schools.
Diarrhoea can often last between 5–7 days and usually stops within 2 weeks. Vomiting usually stops within 3 days. If your child continues to be ill for longer than these periods, seek advice.
Severe diarrhoea and/or vomiting can lead to dehydration, which is when the body does not have enough water or the right balance of salts to carry out its normal functions. If the dehydration becomes severe it can be dangerous.
Children at increased risk of dehydration include:
- young babies under 1-year-old (and especially the under 6 months)
- babies born at a low birth weight and those who have stopped drinking or breastfeeding during the illness
- children with faltering growth
How is your child?
If your child has any of the following, you need to phone 999 or go to the nearest A&E department
- becomes pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
- going blue around the lips or too breathless to talk/eat or drink Becomes extremely agitated, confused or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
- develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)
- is under 3 months of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
If your child has any of the following, you need to contact a doctor or nurse today:
- seems dehydrated: ie. sunken eyes, drowsy, sunken fontanelle (soft spot on baby’s head) or no urine passed for 12 hours
- has blood in the stool (poo)
- has constant tummy pain
- has completely stopped drinking or breastfeeding Is unable to keep down any fluids during this illness
- is becoming drowsy (excessively sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or picking up) – especially if they remain drowsy or irritable despite their fever coming down
- If your child has diabetes, monitor their blood sugars closely.
You should ring your GP surgery, or contact NHS 111 – dial 111, or for children aged 5 years and above visit 111.nhs.uk
How can I look after my child?
If none of the above features is present, most children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting can be safely managed at home. Using the advice below you can provide the care your child needs at home.
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids – little and often. Water is not enough and ideally, an oral rehydration solution (ORS) is best. ORS can be purchased over the counter at large supermarkets and pharmacies and can help prevent dehydration from occurring.
- Mixing the contents of the ORS sachet in dilute squash (not “sugar-free” squash) instead of water may improve the taste.
- Continue to offer your child their usual feeds, including breast and other milk feeds.
- Do not worry if your child is not interested in solid food. If they are hungry, offer them plain food such as biscuits, bread, pasta or rice. It is advisable not to give them fizzy drinks as this can make diarrhoea worse.
- Your child may have stomach cramps; if simple painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen do not help, please seek further advice.
- Most children with diarrhoea and/or vomiting get better very quickly, but some children can get worse.
Once your child is rehydrated and no longer vomiting:
- continue breastfeeding, other milk feeds and fluid intake – give full-strength milk straight away
- reintroduce the child’s usual food
- avoid giving fizzy drinks until the diarrhoea has stopped
- if dehydration recurs, start giving ORS again
- anti-diarrhoeal medicines (also called antimotility drugs) should not be given to children
- your child cannot return to nursery/school until 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea and/or vomiting
Preventing the spread of gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and/or vomiting)
You and/or your child should wash your hands with soap (liquid if possible) in warm running water and then dry them carefully:
- after going to the toilet
- after changing nappies
- before touching food
Your child should not:
- share their towels with anyone
- go to school or any other childcare facility until 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea and/or vomiting
- swim in swimming pools until 2 weeks after the diarrhoea has stopped
Make use of the NHS Essex Child Health App
Many illnesses can now be treated at home with lots of rest and over-the-counter medicines.
The NHS Essex Child Health app offers handy advice on some of these most common childhood illnesses, as well as helping you to understand when it’s better to chat to your school nurse, visit a local community pharmacist or GP, or to call NHS 111.
Health conditions covered within the app include:
- Coughs, colds and flu
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Chickenpox and measles
- Earache and tonsillitis
- Wheezing and breathing difficulties including bronchiolitis and asthma
- Headlice and threadworms
- Bumps, bruises and accidents.
Information on mental health and wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and advice on some more serious conditions like meningitis and sepsis are also covered. And there’s a handy section on when you might want to consider keeping your child home from school.
The app is free to download for both Android and Apple. Just search for “NHS Essex Child Health”.
You can also download the app by clicking on one of the below buttons:
Your medicine cabinet
Be prepared for common health problems by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home.
Community Pharmacist, Mary Oaiya talks about what medicine everyone should have at home to help tackle common childhood health problems.
Boloh – the Black and Asian family helpline
Are you a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic parent wanting to know more about chest infections? Would you like support to access the right health services? If so, Barnardo’s are here to provide you with advice, information and emotional and therapeutic support.
Barnardo’s helpline advisors can provide a service in English, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Polish, Luganda, Ruyankole, Rukiga, Rutooro and Kinyarwanda. Interpreters can be provided for other languages.
Call: 0800 151 2605
Or visit: https://helpline.barnardos.org.uk