Identify the signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses
Chickenpox:
The child starts feeling unwell, has a rash and a slight temperature.
Spots develop, which are red and become fluid-filled blisters in a day or two.
They eventually dry into scabs, which drop off. The spots appear first on the chest, back, head or neck, then spread. They don’t leave scars unless they're badly infected.
Children can return to school 5 days after onset of rash.
Measles:
Starts like a bad cold and cough with sore, watery eyes.
The child will become gradually more unwell, with a temperature.
A rash appears after the third or fourth day. The spots are red and slightly raised. They may be blotchy, but not itchy. The rash begins behind the ears and spreads to the face and neck, then the rest of the body.
The illness usually lasts about a week.
Child can return to school 4 days after onset of rash
Mumps:
A general feeling of being unwell.
A high temperature.
Pain and swelling on the side of the face in front of the ear and under the chin. Swelling usually begins on one side, followed (though not always) by the other side.
Painful when chewing.
Child can return to school 5 days after onset of swollen glands
German measles (Rubella):
It starts like a mild cold.
A rash appears in a day or two, first on the face, then on the body. The spots are flat (on light skin they're pale pink).
Glands in the back of the neck may be swollen.
Your child won’t usually feel unwell.
Child can return to school 6 days after onset of rash
Whooping cough:
The symptoms are similar to a cold and cough, with the cough gradually getting worse.
After about two weeks, coughing bouts start. These are exhausting and make it difficult to breathe.
Younger children (babies under six months) are much more seriously affected and can have breath-holding or blue attacks, even before they develop a