The Child with a Temperature
If you are concerned about your child we will always be able to see them on the same day at the surgery. A child will come to no harm being brought to the surgery and can usually be seen sooner. It is always wise to keep a supply of children’s paracetamol (Calpol or Disprol) at home. Paracetamol reduces a child’s temperature so should be given six hourly whenever a child has a temperature. In most minor illness in childhood this is the only treatment required. If you are worried about the child, or the child fails to improve in two or three days, they should be brought to the surgery for a check.
Chickenpox
This is the most common childhood infection which we cannot prevent by immunisation. The rash typically takes the form of small blisters. Usually it is fairly mild and only needs treatment with calamine lotion to ease the itching and paracetamol to reduce the fever. Both of which can be bought from a chemist.
German Measles (Rubella)
The rash appears during the first day of the illness. It is usually fairly faint and fades within two or three days. It is infectious for a about a week. The only danger is to unborn babies and it is important to avoid contact with women who are pregnant, although nowadays most expectant mothers have been immunised as schoolgirls. IMMUNISATION CAN PREVENT THIS DISEASE.
Measles
The rash is blotchy and red and appears on the face and body on about the fourth day of feeling unwell. It is accompanied by a chesty cough, the eyes are often inflamed and the child may have a high temperature and be generally unwell. IMMUNISATION CAN PREVENT THIS DISEASE.
Mumps
Mumps is a viral infection involving the salivary glands and presents as swelling of one or both sides of the face and neck. IMMUNISATION CAN PREVENT THIS DISEASE.
All the above infections are caused by viruses and usually require no treatment from the doctor. However, if your child appears particularly unwell or you are worried, your doctor will be happy to give you advice.
ALL CHILDREN SHOULD BE IMMUNISED AGAINST MEASLES, MUMPS AND GERMAN MEASLES BY HAVING AN MMR INJECTION AT 15 MONTHS OLD ALSO A BOOSTER BETWEEN (3-5 YEARS OF AGE).