Common childhood illnesses are usually very contagious! This useful infographic from The Pharmacy magazine November 2021 shows some of the incubation periods (how long it takes to fall ill after exposure to someone with the illness) and also information on how long a child is infectious to others. This is useful in planning return to school and socialising after illness!
This is a most pertinent topic to all of us parents of children of different ages! Under 24 months ⏹ From a young age, children are bombarded with…
So what is “normal” in terms of infections in toddlers and children? The number of infections a baby has in the first few years is determined to an extent by exposure to infections, for example whether they are in creche or at home, whether they have older siblings or not. As a guide: • Babies > 6 months and toddlers: have on average 6-10 minor illnesses a year (colds, fevers, gastro-enteritis) • Children of school going age: have on average 5-6 minor illnesses a year • Teenagers and adults: have on average 4 “colds”/ minor illnesses per year How do children present when they are ill with a minor virus? Each child seems to develop their characteristic “pattern” when ill; in my observation forming 3 main groups: 1. The fever maker (always tends to get a high fever at the beginning of a new illness) 2. The snot machine (produces…
A big focus of parenting is on keeping kids healthy. This is, of course, complicated by the fact the children’s immune systems are still developing. Children often encounter…
PART 3: WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSES OF COLIC? THERE ARE 4 MAIN THEORIES AS TO THE CAUSES OF COLIC: Altered gut microbiota (a healthy set of microbiota or bugs is essential for good gut function and good immunity) Altered gut motility- in other words the little gut does not move in a smooth, co-ordinated fashion. Hypersensitivity to normal light and sound- in other words the little brain is easily overburdened by the “normal” stimuli around it and thus “overreacts” or tries to “offload” by fussing or crying. An exacerbation of normal crying: colic babies may be on the upper end of “normal” crying. In addition, factors such as feeding difficulties (eg taking in a lot of air, over-feeding or underfeeding, struggling with a good latch) can contribute, as can family stress/anxiety. Chat with your healthcare worker to make sure that “medical” conditions can be ruled out, for example…
Part 2: What is COLIC ? In short, colic is excessive fussing or crying in the young baby who is otherwise well and thriving. The formal medical definition…
After a pretty “cold and flu-free” autumn/winter transition last year, owing to the hard lock down during this time, “normal” respiratory infections are back with a bang this autumn! Snots and sneezes, coughs and wheezes…we are seeing it all! The cough is a protective reflex, essentially to protect the vulnerable chest from foreign particles, mucus and infections. An occasional cough is normal and necessary. A persistent cough is a sign that something is going on! The average cough: Can fill a 1.5 Litre bottle with air Forces out 3000 small salivary /mucus droplets At a speed of 80 km/hour! Now that helps to explain why masks are needed during pandemics to prevent illnesses spread by coughs! Where do coughs come from? Coughs occur when our cough receptors are stimulated from mucus or irritants or inflammation. Cough receptors are scattered all over our airways! Coughs can come from: THE UPPER…