Question 2.1
Identify the signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses.
Answer.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis infection of the tonsils,which can be caused by a virus or bacteria, in most cases its viral. Symptoms can include sore throat, swollen tonsils, fever pain when swallowing and headache The glands in the neck can be swollen too. Most common in children five to 15. Infection spreads from person to person by coughing, sneezing or picking up germs after shaking hands or touching.
Whooping cough
A bacterial infection of the airways starts with cold-like symptoms and then moves to severe coughing. The characteristic ‘whoop’ sound occurs when the child desperately tries to take in air between coughs. Vaccination has made whooping cough much less common in infants and young children Slapped cheek syndrome Slapped cheek syndrome is a viral disease that starts with mild cold-like symptoms, such as a sore throat and as well as one or two red cheeks, as if slapped. Your child can also develop a rash elsewhere on their body and may experience joint pain. Occurs in children aged two to 14 years. Chicken pox Highly contagious viral infection that causes fever and a red rash before developing into itchy, fluid-filled blisters. Some children get away with just a few spots, but others get them everywhere, including inside the mouth.Most children under 10 years will get it. Infection is spread by inhaling droplets of the virus from the air, but also by direct contact with the blister fluids. Hand, foot and mouth disease Viral disease causes mild, non-itchy rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Some children can also get mouth ulcers an unwell feeling.Mainly found in children under 10 years, but older children can get it. You can catch it more than once.