Childhood Infections

Which are the most common childhood infections?

Infections in childhood are very common. They can be divided into specific and non-specific infections.

Specific infections include mumps, measles, German measles (rubella) and chickenpox. These are described below. Non-specific infections are illnesses such as coughs, colds, earache, vomiting and diarrhoea. Most non-specific i infections are caused by viruses.

Very rarely a more serious infection such as meningitis occurs. (Meningitis is not discussed in depth here.)

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What symptoms will my child have?

If a rash develops, your doctor will be able to tell you whether this is due to measles, rubella or chickenpox, or simply due to a non-specific viral infection. If your child develops any of the signs or symptoms shown in the box below, contact your doctor immediately.
In the early stages of all these infections, your child may be just vaguely unwell, feverish, a little irritable and toddlers may become very 'clingy'. Then more specific symptoms such as a runny or blocked nose, earache, cough, diarrhoea or vomiting may develop depending on the infection.

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What treatment will my child need?

Most childhood infections are caused by viruses, so you can only treat the symptoms. Antibiotics are usually needed only for some types of ear or chest infections. Be guided by what your doctor recommends.
Children under 5 years may develop fits (convulsions) when they get a fever, so it is important to try to bring down your child's temperature as quickly as possible.
You can do this by removing your child's clothing and sponging him or her down with tepid water. If you have a cool fan or blower, turn this on. Paracetamol syrup will also help to bring down the temperature. Check the correct dosage on the bottle for your child's age.
Plenty of cold drinks are helpful. Calamine lotion can help relieve itchy skin rashes, such as in chickenpox.
Most childhood infections will settle in 5 to 7 days with treatment of the symptoms only.

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Common childhood infections

• Chickenpox is a viral illness with crops of spots which are itchy and develop scabs.
• Measles is a viral illness with a fever, runny nose and generalised red rash. It can be prevented through immunisation.
• Mumps affects glands in front of the ears, causing the glands to swell. There may be difficulty swallowing, a headache and a slight fever. It can affect the testes of older boys. Immunisation is available.
• Rubella or German measles is a generally mild illness, but can cause problems for a baby if the mother is infected while pregnant. A vaccine is available to prevent it.

Contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY if your child:

• Is upset by light.
• Becomes very lethargic, drowsy or difficult to waken.
• Has a severe headache or neck stiffness.
• Develops twitching or jerking of the arms and legs.
• Develops any other unusual behaviour.
• Suddenly develops a widespread rash on the body or legs, which doesn't blanche on pressure.

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Take action

• Seek medical advice IMMEDIATELY if your child has any of the signs or symptoms listed above.
• In children under 5 years of age, a fever may cause fits (convulsions). To reduce your child's temperature, remove their clothes and sponge them down with tepid water. Give the correct dose of paracetamol syrup regularly every 4 hours.
• Avoid aspirin in children under 12 years, as it may very rarely cause a serious disease called Reye's syndrome.
• If your child needs to take antibiotics, make sure you give them regularly.
• It is perfectly safe to give paracetamol at the same time as antibiotics.
• Most children with an infection are not keen to eat; do not push food, but encourage plenty of fluids.

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