Your child may seem to be sick every other week. Their immune systems have yet to be exposed to the many viral and bacterial illnesses common in childhood. Most of these illnesses are mild and clear up quickly without seeing a doctor or nurse practitioner.
The Canadian Paediatric Society lists common infections with symptoms to watch for, how they spread, and what you can do:
How can I prevent these illnesses?
Hand washing is the best way to stop these germs for you and your child.
Vaccines prevent some illnesses, so have your child vaccinated at your public health clinics.
I’ve done that, but now my child is sick. What now?
Give them plenty of fluids (water is best) and rest as often as possible. Not all illnesses require medication. Even fevers don’t always need a prescription.
Do I need to take them to a doctor or nurse practitioner?
There are times when this is the best thing to do. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends seeing a healthcare practitioner when your child has:
- Fever and is less than six months old.
- Fever for more than 72 hours.
- Coughing that won’t go away (lasts more than a week) or is severe and causes choking or vomiting.
- Earache.
- Excessive sleepiness.
- Won’t stop crying or is very irritable all the time.
- Rapid or difficulty breathing.
- Diarrhea and is younger than six months old.
- Bloody or black stools.
- Vomiting for more than 4-6 hours.
- Dehydration (dry sticky mouth, no tears, no urine or fewer than four wet diapers in 24 hours in infants and fewer than three wet diapers in 24 hours in older children).
Remember that these infections are mild and won’t last very long. And, as your child gets older, they get sick less often.
Services related to this information:
- Contact your Public Health Nurse:
- 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555.
