Respiratory illnesses in children

Parents and carers living in Nottinghamshire are being offered advice about respiratory illnesses in babies and children.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) – also known as Strep A – is the name given to a type of bacteria sometimes found in the throat or on the skin, it can cause mild illness such as a sore throat.

GAS can also cause scarlet fever or skin infections such as cellulitis or impetigo. But most people carry the bacteria harmlessly and don’t develop an illness.

Find out more at: https://www.healthforkids.co.uk/nottinghamshire/group-a-strep-what-you-need-to-know/

RSV is a very common virus and almost all children are infected with it by the time they’re two years old.

In older children and adults, RSV may cause a cough or cold, which is usually mild, but in young children it can cause a condition which only affects young children called bronchiolitis.

For more details visit: https://healthforunder5s.co.uk/nottinghamshire/local-advice-and-events/advice/respiratory-illnesses-in-young-children/

Influenza, or ‘the flu’, is a highly infectious viral illness with symptoms that develop quickly and last several days.

These can include a fever (body temperature of over 38 degrees celcius) or chills; a headache; joint and muscle pains; extreme tiredness; a dry cough; a sore throat; having trouble sleeping; lack of appetite; feeling or being sick.

Flu can usually be treated at home, speak to a pharmacist for treatment advice and information on flu remedies.

More information is available at: https://www.healthforkids.co.uk/grownups/health-issues/flu-what-you-need-to-know/

You can find out more about child vaccinations in Nottinghamshire by visiting: https://www.healthforkids.co.uk/nottinghamshire/school-aged-immunisation-service-sais/

And you can learn what support is available to parents, carers and health professionals from Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Healthy Family Teams by visiting: https://www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/healthy-family-teams