FAQ on Kids Health

1. Why does my child get so many colds?

The average pre-schooler gets at least six colds a year. In winter, it may seem that your child is sick for weeks, and then just gets over one cold before getting another. Young children haven’t built up immunity to the many viruses that cause colds. There are over 200! As children grow, they build up immunity and get fewer colds. Kids are also really good at sharing viruses as they play closely and don’t always follow good hygiene practices. There is no specific treatment for a cold, but you can help relieve symptoms.

2. What can you use to stop vomiting or diarrhoea?

Most cases of gastro are viral, are short-lived and aren’t severe. Generally, it’s not recommended to take medicines to stop vomiting or diarrhoea. The most important thing, especially for kids, is to prevent dehydration. They should drink small amounts of fl uid regularly including rehydration products to help replace electrolytes.

3. What causes conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis has numerous causes; it can be allergic, viral or bacterial. Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and can be treated with antihistamines. Viral conjunctivitis is often associated with a cold and there is no specific treatment available. Bacterial conjunctivitis is what we associate most with kids. It’s easily spread and generally affects both eyes, although might start in just the one. The eyes become red and irritated, feel gritty and there is often a sticky discharge.

4. My child’s asthma seems to get worse when school goes back, why?

Each year there is a rise in asthma flare-ups and hospitalisations when children head back to school after the Christmas holidays. It’s unsettling for kids as they adjust to a new school year and can be disruptive for parents heading back to work. Why does this happen? Experts think flare-ups occur in term one due to kids mixing more closely again, leading to an inevitable spread of viruses. Also, children’s asthma is often better controlled in summer and so, preventer medicines may not be taken as prescribed. An asthma action plan is an important tool for managing your child’s asthma and they should always have access to reliever medication.

5. What are school sores? 

School sores, or impetigo, are caused by bacteria entering into a cut or scratch on your child’s skin. At first, they might look like flat red spots or small blisters. The spots might fill with pus, burst or crust over. The germs can spread to other parts of the body through contact with the original sore, as the bacteria is highly contagious and lives in the liquid or crust of the sore. It can spread easily to other people too. If you don’t treat the sores, they might get bigger and more of them might grow.

6. How often should I give my children anti-worming medication?

Worms, specifically threadworms, are extremely common in 5-10 year old kids. They spread really easily, aren’t dangerous and the good news is, they are easy to treat. There is no need to treat your child unless they show symptoms, the most common of which is an itchy bottom, or you have seen evidence of worms. So, you don’t need to treat kids regularly, but if you have confirmed that your child has threadworms, the whole family should be treated.