WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS
TO KNOW
Dr Nadia Rahman
25th April 2017
INTRODUCTION
• Infections
• Common cold
• Diarrhoea & Vomiting
• Chicken Pox
• Croup
• Meningitis
• Red Flags – Danger signs
• When to seek help
• Where to seek help
• Prevention of spread
A MUST HAVE IN EVERY HOUSE
• THERMOMETER
• PARACETOMOL
• IBUPROFEN
• PLASTERS
• OPTIONAL
• ANITHISTAMINE (PIRITON)
• BANDAGES
£40+
£5+
INFECTIONS
VIRAL INFECTIONS
• Gastroenteritis (D&V)
• Common cold – coughs & runny nose
• Croup
• Viral rashes
RED FLAGS
• Breathing difficulties (signs)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjDEimKwsJE
• Normal respiratory rates:
<1 year: 30-40 breaths per minute.
• Dehydrated
• Constant drowsiness even when fever settled
• 1-2 years: 25-35 breaths per minute.
• Constant high fevers
• Non-blanching rash
• See traffic light table
• 2-5 years: 25-30 breaths per minute.
• 5-12 years: 20-25 breaths per minute.
• >12 years: 15-20 breaths per minute.
• Very slow respiratory rates in children suggest
imminent respiratory arrest.
WHEN AND WHERE TO SEEK HELP
Traffic Light Warning
• Green signs:
• Watch and wait at home
• Simple remedies
• Chemist
• Amber signs:
• GP
• Walk in centres
Where to seek help
Mum knows best / Home remedies
Minor ailment services
This means certain pharmacies can supply medicines for certain
conditions on the NHS.
They can supply medicines for certain conditions and you'll only
pay the standard prescription charge.
If you're exempt from paying prescription charges – you won't
pay for the medicine.
Just ask at your local pharmacy.
GP / Walk-in centre
Wound care, strains and sprains, minor cuts, infected wounds,
long term illness care etc
LIFE THREATENING PROBLEMS
Accident and Emergency (A&E)
• Red signs:
• GP / A&E
Severe head injuries / loss of consciousness, Deep cuts (stitches),
foreign bodies, suspected broken bones or heavy blood loss,
persistent chest pain or difficulty breathing, overdose or
poisoning etc
SCHOOL EXCLUSION
PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND
Illness
Time to be kept away from school
Shingles
Exclude only if rash is weeping and cannot be covered
Scabies
Return after first treatment
Scarlet fever*
Return 24 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic treatment
Diarrhoea and / or Vomiting
48 hrs from the last episode
Impetigo
Until lesions crusted, or 48 hrs after starting antibiotic treatment
Measles*
4 days from onset of rash
Chickenpox*
5 days from the onset of rash
Mumps
5 days after onset of swelling
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
5 days from starting antibiotics
German measles (rubella)*
6 days from onset of rash
Hepatitis A
7 days after onset of jaundice
Flu (influenza)
Until recovered
Meningitis
Until recovered
TB
Specialist will advise
PREVENTION - GOOD HYGIENE
Handwashing
• Handwashing is one of the most important ways of controlling the spread of infections,
especially those that cause diarrhoea and vomiting, and respiratory disease. The
recommended method is the use of liquid soap, warm water and paper towels. Always
wash hands after using the toilet, before eating or handling food, and after handling
animals. Cover all cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings.
Coughing and sneezing
• Coughing and sneezing easily spread infections. Children and adults should be encouraged
to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue. Wash hands after using or disposing of tissues.
Spitting should be discouraged.
RESOURCES
• http://www.nhs.uk/conditions
• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/353953/Guidance_
on_infection_control_in_schools_11_Sept.pdf
• www.patient.co.uk/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjDEimKwsJE
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcQGlv0dUOY