Management of Common Illnesses

PLEASE NOTE: this is general advice only.  If you are worried or not sure what to do please consult your doctor.

A Child with Diarrhoea
This usually settles within a few days. The important thing is to replace the water and salts that are lost by giving Dioralyte or Electrolade mixed with water. If the child vomits, simply wait and give them more liquid. Give as much liquid as the child will take - too much will do no harm. The child should not have any solid food or milk for 24 hours. Taking too much liquid all at once can make them sick so give frequent small amounts. Breast feeding should certainly be continued during any episode of diarrhoea. Most children with diarrhoea don't like eating and a few days without solids will do no harm at all. If the diarrhoea is not settling within a few days or if the child seems weak or generally unwell then they should be seen by a doctor. Any baby under six months old with severe diarrhoea should be seen by a doctor.

A Child with a Temperature
If your child feels hot and is generally unwell it is important to get the temperature down. Give some paracetamol (Calpol or Disprol). Give the higher recommended dose for the age. Dress the child in cool clothes. Do not make the room too warm - open the window and turn down the fire. If the child seems very hot sponge them down using tepid water. Give the child plenty of cool drinks. Repeat the paracetamol every four hours up to four times a day. If the child does not improve they should be seen by a doctor. It will not make the child worse to take them out in a pram to see the doctor - indeed fresh air may well help them.

Back Pain
Back pain will usually get better on its own, within a few days, or possibly a few weeks. Stay active, and if at all possible, stay at work. The pain may force you to rest, but this is a result of the pain, and not a good treatment for back pain. If you have to take to your bed, limit it, if possible, to a day or two at the most. Use simple pain killers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, if necessary or try gentle heat, eg from a hot water bottle or heat lamp. Avoid activities likely to put unnecessary strain on your back. When sitting, an upright chair with support for the small of the back puts less strain on your spine. If the back pain does not start to improve within a few days, then consult your doctor for advice.

Bruises
Bruises are very common in children. They normally get better in 7 to 10 days. If a child gets up at once after a fall and moves about normally, it is unlikely that a bone has been broken but the child may be stiff the next day because of bruising. Severe bruising can be treated by rest for 24 to 48 hours. In the case of a badly bruised leg the limb should be raised. A cold compress may ease a bad bruise if applied at once.

Burns and Scalds
Run cold water over the burnt area until the pain subsides (this may take 15 minutes). If the area becomes blistered keep it clean and dry and do not burst the blisters. If the burn is more than a few inches across or if the skin is broken, consult your doctor or the casualty department at the hospital as soon as possible.

Chickenpox
On the first day a rash appears as small red patches about 3 to 4mm across. In a few hours small blisters appear in the centre of these patches. During the next 2 or 4 days further patches will appear and the earlier ones will turn crusty. Calamine lotion may be applied to soothe the itching, cool baths may also help. The most infectious period is from 2 or 3 days before the rash appears and up to 5 days after this. Children may return to school 6 days from the day when the rash first appears.

Colds and Coughs
Alas there is still no cure for the common cold! Antibiotics have no effect on colds or flu. Paracetamol helps if you have a headache or sore throat, or if you are feverish. Decongestants and throat lozenges help to relieve symptoms. It is important to take plenty of drinks. Dry coughs may be helped by steam inhalations or cough linctus. You should see a doctor if the cough persists for more than a week or coughing produces lots of green or yellow phlegm or you cough up blood or the cough is accompanied by pain in the chest, shortness of breath or wheeze.

Conjunctivitis
Makes the eyes red and sore and makes them 'mattery'. It often settles without treatment if you bathe the eyes with boiled water and wipe away the 'matter' with cotton wool. If it does not settle consult the doctor. It is very often infectious so patients should never share towels or flannels and should wash their hands immediately after touching their eyes.

Cuts
Bleeding can usually be stopped by applying pressure to the cut with a clean handkerchief for up to 2 or 3 minutes. Apply a plaster dressing firmly, bringing the edges of the cut together so that it heals quickly. Keep it dry for 1 to 2 days. If the cut is deep and the edges can not be pulled together with a dressing go the casualty department. A tetanus injection may be needed.

Cystitis
Cystitis is an inflammation inside the bladder. Over half of the women in this country suffer from it at some time during their lives, often repeatedly. It makes you want to pass urine frequently and when you do pass water it causes a burning sensation. When you first get the symptoms drink a pint of water immediately. A teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in water can relieve some of the pain. Paracetamol tablets are useful. It is important to carry on drinking plenty of fluids to wash the germs out of your bladder. If your symptoms do not settle in a day, bring a specimen to the surgery in a clean container as an antibiotic may be required.

Diarrhoea and Vomiting
This usually settles within a few days. Treatment consists of replacing fluid and salts that you lose by drinking plenty of fluids. Sachets of powder such as Dioralyte or Electrolade can be bought in the chemist for this purpose. Most people do not feel like eating and a few days without food will do no harm. If you do feel like eating then do so but try to avoid fatty foods as this can make diarrhoea worse.

Earache
Earache can be caused by excess wax, catarrh or infection. If a child gets earache, regular doses of paracetamol medicine e.g. Calpol, will ease the discomfort. If the earache does not settle within 12 to 24 hours consult a doctor.

German Measles (Rubella)
A rash appears during the first day and usually covers the body, arm and legs in small pink patches about 2 to 4mm in diameter. It does not itch. Often no other symptoms are present apart from occasional aching in the joints. It is infectious from 2 days before the rash appears until 4 to 5 days afterwards. The only danger is to unborn babies and it is therefore important that any contacts who might be pregnant are informed so that they can consult their doctor. Immunisation can prevent disease.

Grazes
Any dirt must be cleaned out carefully with an antiseptic solution. After cleaning leave the graze uncovered. Dressing should only be applied if the graze might become dirty or to prevent it being rubbed by clothing.

Hayfever
Hayfever is worse when the pollen count is high. It causes watering, itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose. Antihistamine tablets or medicine provide effective relief. These can be bought without prescription at your chemist.

Head Injury
If the patient was not knocked out and can remember the accident it is unlikely that serious injury has resulted but if the patient was knocked unconscious and cannot remember what happened he or she should be taken to a hospital casualty department without delay. If any patient becomes drowsy or vomits after a head injury seek advice.

Head Lice
These creatures, contrary to popular belief, prefer clean hair and are therefore not a sign of poor hygiene. Medicated head lotion, shampoos and creams are available from chemists without prescription. Treat your whole family at the same time. Special nit combs help to eradicate and identify head lice and regular combing and brushing protects the hair from re-infection. Using conditioner may help to remove head lice.

Immunisation
Soreness at the site of the injection and a mild fever for 24 hours afterwards are common and usually settle without any treatment.

Insect Bites and Stings
Wasps - Apply vinegar to neutralise the sting as soon as possible.
Bees - Scrape away the sting and apply a little bicarbonate of soda solution as soon as possible.

Generally - Keep an antihistamine cream or tablets in the house to use when necessary (and particularly if travelling abroad) to soothe itch and soreness.

Mumps
Symptoms are swelling of the gland in front of one or other ear, often followed after a couple of days by swelling in front of the other ear. It is infectious from 2 days before the swelling appears and until 10 days after that date. The glands are often painful. Immunisation can prevent the disease.

Nose Bleeds
Sit in a chair leaning forward with your mouth open and pinch the soft part of your nose for 10 minutes without letting go. This should stop the bleeding. Repeat for a further 10 to 20 minutes if bleeding continues. Do not try to blow your nose or clean the blood from the inside of your nose once the bleeding has stopped.

Sore Throats
The majority of these settle on their own in a few days. Gargle with lukewarm salt water. Repeat this four times a day. Take soluble paracetamol for relief of pain. Unless the patient is really unwell or has spots at the back of the throat, antibiotics are unlikely to help. Keep drinking fluids. Anyone suffering from Asthma, or children below the age of 16 should not be given aspirin.

Sprains
Apply a cold compress containing ice if possible for 15 to 30 minutes to reduce swelling and discomfort. Apply a firm bandage to the ankle and elevate the leg. Rest in the early stages is important but once the pain has subsided early mobilisation and gentle exercise ensure a quick return to normality.

Sunburn
Avoid exposure to strong sun and use a good sunscreen with a good protection factor, especially for children. Otherwise treat as burns and drink plenty of fluid.

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