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Childhood illnesses
Childhood illnesses
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness, but can also occur in adults. Here’s how to help ease symptoms and discomfort.
Coughs, colds and ear infections in children
It’s normal for a child to have 8 or more colds per year. Read this article to find out more about common childhood ailments.
Diarrhoea and vomiting in children
Learn more about the causes of diarrhoea and vomiting in children, and use these handy tips to help alleviate the symptoms.
Fever and high temperature in children
Fevers are quite common in young children and usually they are mild. Find out how to deal with fever and high temperatures in children here.
Food allergies in children
Does your family have a history of eczema, asthma, hay fever or food allergies? Learn about food allergies in children and how to spot a reaction.
Measles
Anyone can get measles if they haven't been vaccinated or haven't had measles before, but it's most common in kids. Learn more about this illness.
Mumps
Mumps is a contagious viral infection, most common in children between 5 and 15 years. These days it’s rare thanks to effective immunisation.
Rubella
Rubella (also known as German measles) is best prevented by the MMR vaccination. Learn more about its distinctive rash, other symptoms and treatments.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough is a contagious bacterial infection and is most serious in babies. Here’s how to spot the symptoms and protect infants.
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Serious childhood illnesses: what to do | Raising Children Network
How do you know if your baby or young child is really sick? This guide helps you recognise signs of serious childhood illnesses and explains what to do.
Read more on Raising Children Network website
Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Chronic childhood illness managing the emotional impact
Sometimes children have an illness that is not 'curable' but continues on into adulthood
Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website
Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Chronic childhood illness managing the emotional impact
Sometimes children have an illness that is not 'curable' but continues on into adulthood
Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website
NSW Health urges parents to be aware but not alarmed about EV71
NSW Health is urging parents to be aware not alarmed about some recent cases of enterovirus 71 or 'EV71' reported in NSW. To date, there have been no deaths reported from the virus and the number of cases has fallen.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Hand, foot and mouth disease
Find out what is hand, foot and mouth disease and links to trusted information on its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Scarlet fever (group A streptococcus infection) information | myVMC
Scarlet fever occurs following Streptococcus infection. It can cause liver, neurological and other complications if not treated with antibiotics.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Otitis media in children - myDr.com.au
Otitis media (middle ear infection) is a common childhood illness that typically causes earache and fever.
Read more on myDr website
How to tell if your child is sick
Here is some helpful guidance on how to tell if your child is unwell, common symptoms for childhood illnesses and when you should seek further advice.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Hand, foot and mouth disease | Raising Children Network
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness. It comes up as mouth ulcers and blisters on your childs hands and feet. Its usually harmless.
Read more on Raising Children Network website
Hand, foot and mouth disease - myDr.com.au
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood illness causing mouth sores and a skin rash. Read about the symptoms, treatment and how to prevent infection by this viral illness.
Read more on myDr website
Top results
Integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) strategy for children younger than five years of age | Cochrane
Integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) strategy for children younger than five years of age
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Early childhood
Advice for workers in the early childhood area, to help you to assist children and families where a parent experiences a mental illness.
Read more on COPMI – Children of Parents with a Mental Illness website
Definitions of childhood trauma and child abuse
Child abuse includes sexual, emotional and physical abuse as well as living with domestic violence in childhood; childhood trauma is a broader term.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
Fact sheet: adult survivors of childhood trauma & abuse
Towards Recovery: a fact sheet for adults who have experienced childhood trauma and abuse and are seeking information, resources, tools and support.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
Many factors affect resilience from childhood trauma
Information that explores the nature of resilience and the mediating factors around childhood trauma and child abuse and their impacts on different people.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
General information about childhood trauma and abuse
Access to general information for diverse groups affected by childhood trauma and child abuse, including survivors, their supporters and professionals.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
Blue Knot Day 24 October 2016 childhood trauma awareness
Blue Knot Day: Blue Knot Foundation's national awareness day. All Australians unite in support of adult survivors of childhood trauma. Recovery is possible.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
Relevant resources
Resources and eLearning courses for early childhood workers who can help children and families where a parent has a mental illness.
Read more on COPMI – Children of Parents with a Mental Illness website
Working with children/youth
Advice for early childhood workers to help you to assist children who have a parent with a mental illness.
Read more on COPMI – Children of Parents with a Mental Illness website
Resources for groups affected by childhood trauma & abuse
Blue Knot Foundation provides online resources on child abuse & trauma for survivors, families, friends, health & legal professionals & organisations.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
