1. Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a highly infectious respiratory infection in babies. The lungs’ tiny airways become inflamed and blocked. It’s most commonly caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), passed on by coughing and sneezing. Bronchiolitis is most common between November and March.

Bronchiolitis starts in the same way as a cold. Symptoms include a blocked or runny nose, a mild cough and shallow or rapid breathing. Symptoms may get worse after two to three days and include wheezing, shallow or rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, persistent cough, fever and lack of interest in feeding.

Most babies can be looked after at home. To avoid dehydration your baby needs fluids (wet nappies mean your baby is getting enough fluid). Continue breast or bottle-feeding, but check whether your baby is struggling or taking longer to feed. Try giving smaller feeds, more often. If your baby has a temperature, keep them cool and treat with paracetamol according to instructions.

Some babies with bronchiolitis need oxygen for a short period. You should go to A&E if your baby is:

• Coughing a lot.
• Very breathless.
• More sleepy or less alert than usual.
• Finding it difficult to feed.
• Developing more, or new, symptoms such as a wheeze.
• Developing a change of skin colour, e.g. becoming pale or mottled.

2. Febrile convulsions

A febrile convulsion is a seizure (fit) that can occur in young children with a high temperature. Febrile convulsions often happen at the start of an illness that has caused a rapidly rising temperature.

Although they rarely last longer than a few minutes, febrile convulsions can be very frightening.  
The child loses consciousness, their limbs go floppy or stiff and they can stop breathing for around 30 seconds (which can cause the skin to turn pale or blue). Muscles and limbs might twitch, their eyes might roll upwards and they might wet or soil themselves. After this, they normally regain consciousness and then fall into a deep sleep. They can be irritable or confused when they wake.

Stay calm and, if you can, time the convulsion. Put your child into the recovery position (lying on their side with their head level or slightly lower than their body). Loosen clothing and remove anything from the mouth, such as food or a dummy. Stay with your child. When the convulsion stops, try to lower their temperature by giving them age-appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen.

If this is the first time your child has had a febrile convulsion, take them to A&E. If they have had one before, call your doctor.

Dial the ambulance service if:

• The convulsion continues for more than five minutes.
• Your child doesn’t improve quickly when the convulsion has finished.
• Your child has breathing difficulties.
• Another convulsion starts soon after the first.

3. Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord. There are two types, and both can occur at any age:

• Bacterial meningitis, caused by bacteria, can be life-threatening and is more likely to affect children under five.
• Viral meningitis can be less serious and generally affects older children and adults.

Viral meningitis can cause flu-like symptoms with a high temperature, muscle aches and headaches. Bacterial meningitis is very serious and can be fatal, especially in young children. Recognising the early signs can be very important, as the bacteria can multiply rapidly once in the bloodstream. 

Symptoms in babies and young children can include:

• High temperature (possibly with cold hands and feet).
• Vomiting and refusing feeds.
• High-pitched moaning or whimpering cry.
• Blank, staring expression.
• Pale itchy complexion.
• Floppiness.
• Fretful and not liking being handled.
• Neck retraction with arching of the back.
• Convulsions.
• Lethargic and difficult to wake.
• Tensing or bulging fontanelle (the soft top of the head).
• A rash of red or purple spots or bruises (or darker than normal in dark skins) that do not fade when you press a glass against them (this might be septicaemia or blood poisoning).

If you suspect your child has meningitis, you should go to A&E immediately. 

Intravenous antibiotics need to be given as soon as possible.

Early diagnosis of meningitis can be difficult due to varying symptoms. If you have seen a doctor but are still worried, don’t be afraid to ask for medical help again. Keep checking your child’s symptoms; even an hour can make a difference. If you think your child might have septicaemia, dial ambulance service. 

4. Severe allergic reaction  (Anaphylactic shock)

Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that affects the whole body. It usually happens within minutes of coming into contact with the allergen (the thing that has caused the reaction). Anaphylactic shock affects the respiratory (breathing) and circulatory (blood) system. It can raise blood pressure, cause swelling and breathing difficulties and can be life-threatening.

Symptoms can include the following:

• Breathing difficulties.
• Facial swelling, especially the mouth and throat.
• Problems with swallowing.
• A blotchy rash all over the body.
• Fainting.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Lie your child on their side and call ambulance service immediately. 

Your child will need emergency treatment with adrenaline. If your child has gone into anaphylactic shock before, they will have been assessed and probably given an emergency epinephrine kit, which should be administered when they have a severe allergic reaction.

In order for others to know what to do in case of a severe allergic reaction, your child needs to have some form of identification (often a bracelet or necklace) that can be worn and will give information about the allergy and appropriate treatment. Talk to your doctor about this.
It is also very important to avoid coming into contact with anything that you know can trigger an allergic reaction.

5. Vomiting and diarrhoea

Sickness and diarrhoea bugs are easily caught. They are often passed on in situations where there are lots of children such as playgroups, nursery or school. 

Feeling sick and sudden vomiting are normally the first signs. Diarrhoea usually follows afterwards. 

To avoid dehydration, give your child fluids. If you’re breastfeeding, keep on doing so. Offer older children sips of water or freeze water into an ice lolly for them to suck. Give them lots of reassurance and stay with them. When an older child is able to eat, offer bland, easily digested foods (nothing rich or salty).

If you have a young baby that has nausea and diarrhoea, you should always go to your doctor and ask for advice on feeding. 

Take your child (any age) to your doctor if:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea lasts longer than 24 hours.
• You notice signs of dehydration such as a sunken fontanelle (the soft bit on top of their head), the face and eyes look sunken or they aren’t producing wet nappies.

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2. Belly But­ton dis­charge
3. Injur­ies and bruises– What you should know 
4. How to apply a band­age and the three main types
5. Emer­gen­cies – A crit­ical or life threat­en­ing situ­ations
6. Improve your First Aids skill (part 1) 
7. Improve your First Aids skill (part 2) 
8. Infec­tions from used needles or sharps 
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