The Information centre is a resource that is created by the users of Parentsown.co.uk.
If you have information (white papers, useful links, studies, advice etc) that you think other parents could benefit from add a page (using the link below) to create a new page in the Contagious Childhood Disease and Immunisations Information centre book.
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http://www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk/
British Polio Fellowship
www.britishpolio.org.uk
0800 88420555
The article is about three quarters of the way down the page. the link is:
If your child is run down, try some of these foods that are thought to boost the immune system:
Vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, garlic, onion, butternut squash and peppers
Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and potatoes.
Fruits such as apricots, satsumas, oranges, berries.
Pulses such as beans, lentils, peas.
Nuts and Seeds.
I'd never heard of this disease till my son caught it! It's apparently nothing to do with the foot and mouth disease that cattle get! It is a viral illness that causes a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and can cause ulcers in the mouth. My son only really had them in the mouth but his mouth was so full of ulcers he could'nt eat and rink.
It is contagious, can last up to 10 days and can make kids feel unwell. It usually clears up on it's on and antibiotics don't work. We just gave calpol for the sore mouth and the fever.
According to the Guardian.co.uk England is heading for a measles epidemic, with fears that up to 100,000 children could become infected.
There has apparently been a sharp rise in cases, it is thought the spread of the disease could be because of the low take up of the combined MMR amid health concerns (links to autism).
I think we've all been told to give paracetamol after our kids have had immunisations like the MMR. This article from the BBC website though suggests it might not be the best thing:
"Giving paracetamol to babies after vaccinations as a precaution against fever may lower the effectiveness of the immunisation"
You can read the full article here:
My 3 year old caught 'slapped cheek disease'. At first, we were baffled by his symptoms - he had one very red cheek and then over night the other cheek went red and he developed a rash over his arms and hands which started to spread to the rest of his body.
Researching the web, i discovered he had the viral infection called slap cheek disease. It's apparently quite common and doesn't usually require medical help unless you are pregnant, have a blood disorder or a weak immune system or a very high fever.
His red cheek lasted about 5 days but the rash on his arms flared up on and off for a few weeks, especially when he got hot or cold. Along with the rash he had a slight temperature and seemed generally a bit under the weather.
We had to avoid nursery for a while and we avoided any pregnant women we know.
Swine flu
For general information on symptoms and treatments of swine flu try visiting the NHS Choices website:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx
If you are concerned your child may have swine flu then you could use the ‘NHS Direct Symptom Checker’:
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/SAT/Topics/ColdsAndFlu.aspx?Host=Nhsd&Syndic...
Make sure you are prepared in case you do get it – print off a ‘Preparing your home’ from which includes information on choosing ‘flu friends’:
http://www.berkshirewest-pct.nhs.uk/
Government guidance on Swine flu:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831
The Government Swine Flu information leaflet can be found out:
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/04April/Documents/Swine%20Flu%20Leaflet_Web%...
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidance on travel:
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2009/04April/Documents/Swine%20Flu%20Leaflet_Web%...