6. School Sores

School sores are caused by bacteria known as Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria. It can develop in perfectly healthy skin but it is known to more commonly develop into an infection on skin exposed to cuts, abrasions or eczema. School sores look like small crusting blisters and commonly form on the face or limbs. If your child does develop blisters on his body, then head to the doctor. If it is diagnosed as school sores then your child will need to be placed on antibiotics, creams or ointment and will need to be kept home from school and play dates. Impetigo has an incubation period of one to ten days depending on the strand.

7. Chicken Pox

A virus that causes itchy blisters and fever, Chicken Pox is tricky to prevent because the child is actually contagious BEFORE the itchy blisters break out. The incubation period is 10 to 21 days. Calamine lotion, Pinetarsol baths and cold face-washers can help with the itching and Panadol for the fever. If the fever lasts longer than four days or if the blisters seem to be infected than you should take your child to the doctor.

Luckily this once very common childhood disease is now included in the Australian Immunisation Schedule – so we should see less of it. Chicken Pox can be very dangerous in adults!

8. Gastroenteritis

This is a very common illness in children caused by various viruses infecting the bowel, and is most common in winter months. Symptoms include fever, abdominal pains, diarrhoea and/or vomiting, nausea, sometimes a runny nose and sore throat. Usually the vomiting is the first symptom along with the runny nose and sore throat, then a day or two later the diarrhoea and fever can follow. Gastro usually lasts for about three to four days and it can take about a week for the poos to go back to normal. Dehydration can occur quickly so children and babies must be given frequent, small amounts of fluids such as water and oral rehydration solution from your pharmacy.

For breastfed babies, give small frequent breastfeeds and water or oral rehydration solution in between. If the baby is formula-fed, then replace the formula with the oral rehydration solution and water. If no vomiting feed your child small amounts of bland food. See a doctor immediately if any symptoms worsen or if the child is dehydrated and won’t take fluids.

This list is by no means definitive of the range of diseases your child can bring home from school or daycare to share with the rest of the family. The Department of Health Communicable Disease Guidelines state that daycare and school staff have a key role in preventing the spread of communicable diseases in their classrooms, but parents have responsibilities also. Teaching and encouraging personal hygiene, seeking medical advice and vaccinating against contagious diseases may not completely stop the spread, but can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms and time off school for your little one.