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Common childhood illnesses

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Common childhood illnesses

From sniffles to late nights with a bucket by the bed, you can expect some bugs to make an unwelcome appearance, especially when your child is at school. Here’s a look at ways to try and prevent bugs, what helps, and when to seek medical advice.

Note: this guide is general guidance and not a replacement for medical advice. If you’re at all concerned, call 111 or see your GP, or if it’s urgent call 999, or go to A&E.

How do I try and prevent my child from getting ill?

The best way to deal with bugs is to try and stop them spreading in the first place. Here are a few simple things you can do to help keep them at bay:

Encourage handwashing – including when they get in from school.
Ask them not to share bottles or cutlery.
If they’re old enough, give them hand sanitiser to take to school (double check the school’s policy on this).
Practise using and binning tissues.

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What should I do when my child is sick?

Each illness is different, but there are some basic things you can do to help:

Keep up fluids	Remind children to drink, even if that’s only little sips.
Let them rest	Make sure they’re comfortable. If they fall asleep, check in to make sure they’re ok.
Keep an eye on temperature	A high temperature is 38°C or more. If your child has a temperature, check the NHS guidance on managing high temperature
If you’re worried	Call 111 for advice. Call 999 or go to A&E if you think your child is seriously ill.

See the NHS A-Z guide to conditions – covering all common childhood illnesses.

When should I call 999 or go to A&E?

If you’re not sure, ask for help – with children, it’s always best to get problems checked out.

Always seek medical help if your child has:

difficulty breathing
bluish, mottled or very pale skin
a high fever that won’t go down, or very low temperature
unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking
a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass on it
seizures
vomiting for more than 24 hours or unable to keep fluids down
vomit that’s bloody, brown or black
a severe headache or stiff neck
confusion
bleeding that you can’t stop.