Looking after a sick child
Find out how to best care for your child, make things easier for yourself and deal with minor accidents, plus where to go for expert help.
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Hand, foot and mouth disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness that mainly affects children under 5 years old, but can sometimes affect older children and adults.
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Hand, foot and mouth disease prevention
The best way to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease from spreading is to practise good hygiene.
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Hand, foot and mouth disease symptoms
How to look for the signs and symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease, as well as a more serious infection.
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Hand, foot and mouth disease treatment
There is no treatment to kill the coxsackievirus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease. The symptoms usually clear up in 7 to 10 days.
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Hand, foot and mouth disease diagnosis
Your doctor can usually diagnose hand, foot and mouth disease based on age, symptoms and the appearance of sores. Laboratory tests, such as blood tests, are not usually needed.
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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.
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Children's medicines
Children don't always need medicine to treat illnesses. But if you do need to give your child medicine, here are some useful tips.
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School exclusion periods
If your child has an infectious illness, you may need to keep them home to stop it spreading at day-care or school. Learn about school exclusion periods here.
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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.
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