Childhood Illnesses

Question 1

What is the diagnostic for a fever?

Answer 1

Hot to the touch, the face may be

flushed.

Question 2

What is the treatment for a fever?

Answer 2

Paracetamol and ibuprofen
oral solutions at appropriate
doses.

Question 3

What non-pharmacological advice may be given for a fever?

Answer 3

Cold compress.

Question 4

When should a fever be referred?

Answer 4

If the child has gone pale, activity
highly reduced, poor mood,
continuous crying.
Fever for longer than 5 days.
A temperature of at least 38 degrees Celcius in babies between 0-3 months; 39 in babies between 3-6 months.

Question 5

What are the diagnostics for measles?

Answer 5

A full body rash which eventually
becomes papular (skin all round looks very blotchy).
Red eyes sometimes with
photophobia.
Koplik spots (clustered white regions within the mouth, seen in the roof commonly).
Coughing and flu-like symptoms.

Question 6

What is the treatment for measles?

Answer 6

Calamine cream/lotion to

reduce itching.

Question 7

When should measles be referred?

Answer 7

Immediately.

Question 8

What non-pharmacological advice can be given for measles?

Answer 8

Make sure all vaccinations are up to date?

Question 9

How long does measles usually last for?

Answer 9

Around 2 weeks.

Question 10

What are the diagnostics for rubella?

Answer 10

Rash after 4 days which is pink -
spreads thereafter, often seen around the chest.
Starts with mild fever and swollen,
tender lymph nodes around the neck or the ears.
Joint pain.

Question 11

When should rubella be referred?

Answer 11

Immediately.

Question 12

How long does rubella last for?

Answer 12

Around 2-3 weeks.

Question 13

Why is it more serious if a pregnant woman has rubella?

Answer 13

If a pregnant woman has not been vaccinated then it can cause serious damage to the unborn child.

Question 14

What are the diagnostics for chicken pox?

Answer 14

Rash for 1-2 days which eventually becomes vesicular (then pustules - seen over the course of 2-4 days).
Rash usually seen in face and/or back - radiates everywhere thereafter, even to the genitals.

Question 15

What is the treatment for chicken pox?

Answer 15

Paracetamol to reduce fever,

calamine cream/lotion to sooth the skin to avoid itching which can scar.

Question 16

When should chicken pox be referred?

Answer 16

Very dangerous in pregnancy so
this would need a referral - before 20 weeks especially there is the possibility of birth defects.
If serious aciclovir may need to be prescribed (not OTC aciclovir cream - only 10g tubes so nowhere near enough given the widespread nature - oral route so it can be distributed systemically is preferred).

Question 17

What are the diagnostics for shingles?

Answer 17

Small blisters on red, swollen skin.

Painful.

Question 18

When should shingles be referred?

Answer 18

Serious if the infection reaches the eye.

Question 19

What are the diagnostics for the mumps?

Answer 19

Dry mouth, fever, headache,
dysphagia.
Potentially even swollen testicles.

Question 20

When should mumps be referred?

Answer 20

Refer in pregnancy as it can

cause a miscarriage.

Question 21

How long does mumps last for?

Answer 21

10 days.

Question 22

What are the diagnostics for meningitis?

Answer 22

Headache with fever.
Neck and back stiffness.
Photophobia.
Drowsiness.
Diarrhoea and rash (red and non-blanching) possible.
Potentially a bulging soft spot.

Question 23

When should meningitis be referred?

Answer 23

Immediately.