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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Other problems

Children's immature immune systems make them very susceptible to a range of minor infections, such as earache and sore throat. It is not uncommon, particularly during the winter, for children to have endless colds and other infections but these are rarely of an emergency nature and can be dealt with safely at home.

Toothache tends to affect older children; it is important to look after teeth from babyhood to prevent tooth decay later. If your child is feeling feverish and generally unwell, do not overlook the possibility of a urinary tract infection.

Children are more prone than adults to mild infectious illnesses, probably because their immune systems are still developing and they have countless opportunities to pick up infections from other children. Sometimes these illnesses have serious or lots of time off school, but for the most part, they are minor, self-limiting problems that can be treated at home.

Earache

Practically every child has an earache at some stage during a normal year. It often some stage during a normal year. It often starts after a cold, the pain from the earache being caused by a build-up of infection behind the eardrum - a condition called otitis media.

Pus builds up behind the drum, causing an unbearable increase in pressure that may be relieved when the eardrum finally bursts and lets the pus out. findly bursts and lets the pus out. Antibiotics are prescribed for such severe cases. Earache may be caused by an infection in the outer ear canal, a toothache that is radiating out to the ear or a foreign body in the ear. It can also accompany tonsillitis.

Sometimes a thick, gluey substance remains behind in the ear after otitis media and makes the child temporarily deaf for up to six months; this is called glue ear. Your doctor may examine the ear six weeks after the otitis media, and refer file child to a specialist ifglue ear has developed.

First aid for a child with earache

Try giving your child paracetamol syrup - it is very effective at relieving earache pain. Give small accounts of fluids to stave off any mild dehydration that can worsen the pain Give the child a wrapped hot-water bottle to hold against the ear it is comforting and pain-relieving.
Prop up the child with pillows or cushions -this may be more comfortable.

Tootache

Toothache may be due to an infected tooth, in which case the pain is often throbbing and there may be obvious swelling around the gum area. It may settle itself, but if it lasts longer than 24 hours the chid should see a dentist.

Sorethroat

Most sore throats in children are caused by self-limitillg viral infections and can be helped simply by giving your child paracetamol syrup and plentiful fluids. Unless the child cannot swallow fluids or is vary hot and unwell, they will usually get better after a few days without needing to see a doctor. However, do keep watch for a high temperature.

Urihary tract infections

Children can also develop an infection in their urinary tract. The problem with a urinary infection is that it could be a sign an abnormal kidney system. If it is not detected and treated immediately with antibiotics, the infection may also cause scarring of the kidney system and, ultimately, over a long period of time, kidney failure.

Babies and young children may not seem to have any urine-related symptoms but just be unwell with a fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and feeding difficulties. If a child is hot and unwell for a few days with no other obvious cause for the fever (such as a cold, cough or runny nose), they may have a urinary tract infection. Simple dipstick tests carried out in the GP's surgery can usually tell if there is any infection.

First aid for tootache

Give your child paracetamol syrup in the correct dose for the child's age. Unless an abscess is suspected, try placing a wrapped hot-water bottle against the cheek where the tooth can be felt. Soak a small plug of cotton wool in oil of cloves and hold it against the painful tooth. Oil of cloves is a highly effective pain-reliever and anti-inflammatory.