Common childhood illnesses | Common childhood illnesses | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Common%20childhood%20illnesses%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClassBF3B50A183554375A8B96632670A2310"><p>Children in densely populated areas of Cape Town are particularly vulnerable to illnesses such as diarrhoea and malnutrition, both of which stunt growth and development. If your child is sick, take them to your nearest clinic or hospital where trained staff will assess them and provide treatment. Read about some of the most common childhood illnesses below and what you can do at home to ease the symptoms.</p></div> | <h2 class="sectHeading">Diarrhoea</h2><b>What is it?</b>
<p>Diarrhoea is a viral infection that often affects children in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation. Children are most affected during the summer months.</p><h4> What are the symptoms?</h4><ul><li>Vomiting</li><li>Loose, watery stools (runny stomach)</li><li>Lethargy (low energy)</li><li>Dehydration – passing little urine, dry mouth, few tears when crying, sunken eyes and weakness</li><li>Severe dehydration – drowsiness, pale/mottled skin, cold hands or feet, dry nappies, fast and shallow breathing</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info note"><br></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>If you think your child has severe dehydration, don’t wait in the queue at the clinic – rather go straight to the front.</p></div></div>
<b>What should I do?</b>
<p>The most important thing is to keep your child hydrated. Every time your child vomits or their stomach runs they lose fluids and salts, and can become dehydrated.</p><p>Give your child water or prepare a sugar salt solution (SSS). You can find a recipe in your
<a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/health/rthb_booklet.pdf" target="_blank"> Road To Health Booklet (RTHB)<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. You can also give them breast milk, thin soup or very thin porridge – but feed it to them a little at a time. If they vomit, wait five minutes and try again.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p>Don’t give them an enema as this can make the dehydration worse.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Malnutrition<br></h2><b>What is it?</b>
<p>Children who don’t get enough food or vitamins and minerals may become malnourished. Malnutrition can also be caused by diarrhoea or worms.</p><h4> What are the symptoms?</h4><ul><li>Unexplained weight loss</li><li>Not growing properly</li><li>Tiredness and lack of energy</li><li>Struggling to concentrate and keep warm</li><li>Grumpy or irritable behaviour</li></ul><h4> What should I do? </h4><p>Visit your
<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">nearest </span>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">healthcare clinic</a> where you’ll get advice and support on how to improve your child’s diet and nutrient intake. You may also be given supplements to help with the malnutrition.</p><p>To find out more about how to identify and treat malnutrition, please see our
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Nutritional-health/Malnutrition">
<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">
<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-5-3">Malnutrition section</span>.</span></a></p>
<span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Measles</h2></span>
<div>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Infectious-and-chronic-diseases/measles">Measles</a> is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus.</div><div>
<br>
</div><h4>What are the symptoms?<br></h4><div><ul><li>high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and lasts 4 to 7 days. </li><li>coughing, red and watery eyes, running nose and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage. </li><li>approximately 14 days after exposure to the virus, a rash occurs on the face and upper neck. It looks like small, red, flat spots and does not form blisters. It is also not itchy or painful. </li><li>the rash spreads over the body over 3 days and fades after 5 or 6 days. </li></ul></div><h4 style="font-size:16px;">What should I do?</h4><p>Give your child medication to reduce their temperature, give them fluids to drink and take them to the nearest
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">clinic</a> or
<a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/health/facilities" target="_blank">hospital<em></em></a> immediately.<br></p><h2 class="sectHeading">Meningitis</h2>
<b>What is it?</b>
<p>Meningitis is a serious viral infection that affects the brain.</p><h4>What are the symptoms?</h4><ul><li>Very high fever</li><li>Stiff neck</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Headaches</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Convulsions</li><li>Lethargy (low energy)</li><li>Sleepiness and/or confusion</li></ul><h4>What should I do? </h4><p>Give your child medication to bring their temperature down, and take them to the<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> </span><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">nearest
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">clinic</a> </span>or
<a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/health/facilities" target="_blank">hospital<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> immediately. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Asthma</h2>
<b>What is it?</b>
<p>Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways that is caused by an allergy.</p><h4>What are the symptoms?</h4><ul><li>Coughing</li><li>Wheezing</li><li>Tightness of the chest</li><li>Difficulty breathing (often at night)</li></ul>
<b>What should I do?</b>
<p>Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be managed by taking regular medication. Our clinic staff will provide advice on how to manage asthma at home.
<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">Find a
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">City clinic</a> near you. </span></p><h2 class="sectHeading">Tuberculosis (TB)</h2>
<b>What is it?</b>
<p>
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Infectious-and-chronic-diseases/TB">Tuberculosis (TB)</a> is bacterial disease that affects the lungs. </p><h4>What are the symptoms?</h4><ul><li>Prolonged coughing</li><li>Chest pain</li><li>Night sweats</li><li>Loss of appetite and weight loss</li><li>Lack of energy (fatigue)</li></ul>
<b>What should I do?</b>
<p>
<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">If your child has been in contact with someone with TB, take them to a
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities" target="_blank"> clinic</a> to be screened. If they have TB, we will provide them with medication. If they haven’t, we will give them medication to prevent infection.</span></p><p>TB is curable, but you must complete the full course of medication, even if you feel better.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>There is no charge for TB tests, and the best protection against TB is the BCG vaccine.</p></div></div><p>
<span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> Find out more about TB and how to treat it by reading
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/local%20and%20communities/Community-health-and-safety/infectious-and-chronic-diseases/Tb">Tuberculosis (TB)</a>.</span></p><h2 class="sectHeading">Pneumonia</h2>
<b>What is it?</b>
<p>Pneumonia is a severe lung infection.</p><h4>What are the symptoms?</h4><ul><li>Coughing up green or yellow phlegm</li><li>High fever</li><li>Shakes and chills</li><li>Difficulty breathing or fast breathing</li><li>Chest pain</li><li>Infants may become sleepy and lethargic</li></ul>
<b>What should I do?</b>
<p>Most cases of pneumonia can be treated at home with antibiotics and plenty of rest and fluids. More serious cases may require hospitalisation.</p> | | GP0|#4732e6bb-b181-4280-90fc-1e770df78fba;L0|#04732e6bb-b181-4280-90fc-1e770df78fba|Common childhood illnesses;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#e191a0d6-26c0-4f61-a521-0a26adc8ad68;GPP|#063a6668-d6cb-4c45-adaf-f559697b85fd;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | A guide to common childhood illnesses and what you can do to treat them. | 0 |