Infant Health

Pain is the body's way of letting your child know something is wrong. It can be caused by teething, injury or illness. A child in pain will still cry after you have tried everything else such as a nappy change, food and cuddles.
Paracetamol is the recommended medicine for pain relief in children. Other pain relievers are also available. Follow dosage instructions carefully and give your child the correct amount .

IMPORTANT If your child still has pain or fever (39 degrees Celsius or more) after 24 hours, phone your doctor or Self Care pharmacist. Pain relievers can sometimes cover up severe illnesses such as ear-ache or meningitis, especially in babies and younger children. See a doctor quickly if you are worried. Do not give aspirin to children under 12 unless your doctor says you can.

Check with your pharmacist before giving your child any new medicine.

 

Signs & Symptoms	Time from first contact until first sign of illness	How long is your child infectious?	What you can do
Chicken pox* Fever and small red pimples (first on body, then on face and limbs) which turn to yellow blisters, then break.	2-3 weeks.	From 2 days before the rash until the rash dries up, about 7 days later.	Bed rest. use Pinetarsol in the bath for itching. Use cotton mittens for infants. Cut and clean finger nails to stop scratching (leaves pockmarks). Other children can go to school.
Measles* Running nose and eyes; fever and rash. Rash starts on neck, forehead and cheeks and moves to body.	10 -14 days	From first day of illness to 4 days after start of rash.	Bed rest and sleep for about 7 days. Give plenty to drink. Other children who have not had measles and have not been immunized should be immunized within 24 hours.
Meningitis (bacterial) Headache, fever, red-purple spots, bruises or blotchy skin, vomiting, neck stiffness. Babies may have high pitched cry and/or be difficult to wake.	2-10 days		Contacts can be treated with antibiotics. SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.
Mumps* Pain in jaw, then swelling below ear in neck glands, fever.	About 12-25 days.	From one week before to 9 days after symptoms appear.	Bed rest. Other children can go to school.
Rubella* Rash, fever, sore throat and/or swollen neck glands.	About 14-21 days.	From 7 days before rash until 4 days after rash started.	Keep child away from pregnant women. If this happens, see your doctor. Other children can go to school.
Whooping Cough* Cold in nose, persistent cough... later 'whoop' and vomiting.	About 7-10 days.	From 7 days after exposure to illness to 3 weeks after onset of symptoms.	Keep the child away from babies and toddlers. Other children who have not been immunized should stay home for two weeks.

* Immunization can prevent this illness.

SEE A DOCTOR IF YOUR CHILD:

• vomits and has diarrhoea together, or has a bout of vomiting for longer than 24 hours
• has more than two runny, smelly bowel motions in a day
• pants, grunts or has trouble breathing
• has a raspy cough or wheeze
• cries unusually for longer than one hour
• cries, grizzles and rubs at their ear, or their ear is runny
• is difficult to wake up
• has a fit or convulsion
• refuses two normal feeds in 24 hours
• feels too hot or too cold
• is unusually floppy or pale (even without other signs).

If you cannot contact your doctor, go to the hospital or an After Hours Medical Centre.

IMMUNIZATION Immunization is free in New Zealand. It builds your child's defences to the disease before your child actually becomes sick. Most vaccines give lifetime immunity, but some may need boosters e.g., tetanus injection is needed every 10 years. ask your health professional about this.

For further information contact Quins Gore Pharmacy.

Quins Gore Pharmacy Ltd. will not supply of any controlled substances,
drugs of abuse or performance enhancing steroids.
We will not supply Phentermine, Redux, Meridia or any codeine based
painkillers such as Hydrocodone or Vicodin.

© Quins Gore Pharmacy Ltd 2000