When young children are unwell, settings must understand what’s wrong and when it’s safe for them to return. Emma Hammett shares advice about spotting and dealing with childhood illnesses.
Many childhood illnesses are making a resurgence. In 2023, cases of measles and scarlet fever rose considerably. Here are three childhood illnesses to look out for in Early Years…
Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can affect any age group but is most common in young children.
The infection usually lasts from 7–10 days; however, it can lead to serious and potentially life-changing complications if it affects their lungs or brain.
Measles is also worrying if someone is pregnant. The initial symptoms of measles develop around 10 days after infection and can include the following:
People with measles are infectious from when the symptoms develop until about four days after the rash first appears.
Parents should be encouraged to speak to their GP as soon as possible if you suspect that their child may have measles.
Staff should visit their GP if they have had close contact with someone with measles and are not fully vaccinated or haven’t had the infection before, even if they don’t have any symptoms.
Measles can be prevented by having the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The MMR vaccination is given in two doses as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme: the first when children are around 13 months and the second before they start school.
Adults and older children can receive the vaccine at any age if they haven’t been vaccinated before. Hand hygiene is vital to reducing the spread, as is isolating from other people.
Download a free poster about how long to keep children off school if they are ill.
Scarlet fever is a highly contagious infection. It affects adults and young children but is much rarer for adults. It usually lasts about a week.
If a child has these symptoms, they should see their GP. If symptoms last longer than a week, they should go back. This is especially important if they have recently had chicken pox.
Scarlet fever is very infectious, so parents should inform the GP receptionist when making an appointment. If they are unwell again, even if it’s weeks later, this can be a sign of a complication, such as pneumonia.
Slapped cheek is often mistaken for scarlet fever, but it starts with a rash on the cheek (which looks like the child has been slapped) and then sometimes spreads to the body a few days later.
The rash usually lasts for around two weeks but can continue after that. The child may also have a headache, a sore throat and a high temperature, but will not usually need to see a GP.
Emma Hammett is founder of multi award-winning First Aid for Life. For first aid training tailored to your needs, call 020 8675 4036, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit firstaidforlife.org.uk or onlinefirstaid.com
The advice in this article is only for guidance.
