Children

Overview

Children's health is about helping a child grow, learn, play and stay well from birth through the teenage years. It covers everyday things like feeding, sleep, growth and development, as well as common childhood illnesses, vaccinations and knowing when a symptom needs a doctor. Every child develops at their own pace, so this guide is about general patterns and good care — not about labelling any one child.

Yes. Every child will have many minor illnesses and many routine health appointments. Most childhood illness is short-lived and can be managed at home with rest, fluids and comfort. Serious illness in children is much less common, but knowing the warning signs matters.

All children from birth to around 18 years, and everyone who cares for them — parents, grandparents, foster carers, childminders and teachers. Some children need extra support because of being born early, having a long-term condition, a disability or additional needs, or living in difficult circumstances.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Runny nose, cough, sore throat and mild fever — often a cold or other viral infection
• Tummy ache, loose stools (diarrhoea) or being sick — often a short stomach bug
• Ear pain or pulling at the ear in babies
• Rash, spots or itchy skin
• Being more tired, clingy or irritable than usual, or eating and drinking less
• Poor sleep, crying more than usual, or wanting to be held constantly

Symptoms in children

• Your child may not be able to tell you what is wrong — changes in feeding, sleeping, crying, play and mood are often the first clues.
• Babies and toddlers can become unwell quickly and can also recover quickly. Watch how your child is behaving, not just the temperature on the thermometer.
• A child who is still drinking, playing and making tears is usually less concerning than one who is limp, drowsy or hard to wake.
• Signs of dehydration include fewer wet nappies or trips to the toilet, a dry mouth, sunken eyes, no tears when crying and unusual sleepiness.
• Tummy pain that settles and comes back, or pain that moves to the lower right side of the tummy, should be checked.
• Behaviour changes — a sudden loss of skills, unusual confusion, severe headache or a stiff neck — need urgent medical advice.

Symptoms in older adults

• Not a condition of older adults. However, adults caring for children should watch for their own stress, tiredness and worry, and ask for help from their GP or health visitor if caring feels overwhelming.

Causes

Main causes

• Infections — viruses and bacteria cause most childhood illnesses, and children build immunity as they meet new germs
• Normal variation in growth and development — children reach milestones at different ages
• Genetics — some conditions and traits run in families
• Injury and accidents, which are common in children who are learning to move and explore
• Long-term conditions such as asthma, eczema, diabetes or allergies
• Emotional and social factors — changes at home, school stress, bullying or loss can affect a child's health
• Environmental factors — second-hand smoke, poor housing, air pollution and lack of safe play space

Risk factors

• Being born prematurely or with a low birth weight
• Not being up to date with routine vaccinations
• Exposure to tobacco smoke, including in the home or car
• Poor nutrition, or limited access to healthy food
• Unsafe sleep arrangements for babies
• Living in poverty, overcrowded housing or a stressful home environment
• A family history of a health condition
• Having a disability or additional needs that requires extra support
• Limited access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Any of the emergency signs above — call your local emergency number
• A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
• Your child is breathing faster than usual, working hard to breathe, or making a grunting noise
• Your child is not drinking, has not had a wet nappy or used the toilet for many hours, or cannot keep fluids down
• Your child seems very sleepy, floppy, confused or is difficult to wake
• A rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass
• A seizure, or a severe headache with a stiff neck or dislike of bright light
• A serious injury, burn or suspected poisoning

Book a routine appointment if:

• You are worried about growth, weight or appetite
• You are concerned about movement, speech, learning or behaviour, or your child has lost a skill they used to have
• Recurring ear infections, coughs, wheezing, rashes or tummy aches
• Sleep problems that are affecting the whole family
• Your child seems very anxious, sad, angry or withdrawn, or their mood is affecting school and friendships
• You have questions about vaccinations, development checks or starting nursery or school
• You need support as a carer — your own health and wellbeing matter too

Diagnosis

Most childhood problems are diagnosed by talking to you and your child, watching how your child looks and behaves, and doing a simple hands-on examination. Your doctor or nurse will ask what has changed, when it started, how your child is feeding and sleeping, whether there is fever, and whether anyone else at home is unwell. Children are usually examined with a parent or carer close by. For babies, growth, feeding and development are checked at routine appointments.

Tests that may be done

• A physical examination — listening to the chest, looking in the ears and throat, feeling the tummy and checking the skin
• Temperature, breathing rate, heart rate and oxygen level (a small clip on the finger) for children who are unwell
• A urine sample — useful for suspected urine infections or tummy pain
• A swab from the throat or nose if a specific infection needs confirming
• A blood test, used only when it will change what happens next
• Hearing or vision checks for concerns about speech, learning or behaviour
• Development and growth checks at routine health visitor or school nurse appointments
• Imaging such as an X-ray or ultrasound when injury or an internal problem is suspected

What to expect at your appointment

Appointments are usually short, and children may be shy or unsettled — that is completely normal and does not stop a doctor from assessing them. Bring a list of symptoms, when they started, any medicines your child takes, and their vaccination record if you have it. You can ask for the doctor to explain anything you do not understand, and you can ask for a second opinion or a follow-up appointment if you are still worried. Most children need no tests at all.

Treatment

Treatment for children depends on what is wrong. Most childhood illnesses are caused by viruses, which do not respond to antibiotics, and get better with time, rest and fluids. For other problems, the aim is to relieve symptoms, support normal growth and development, and treat the underlying cause if there is one. Care is always tailored to the child's age and weight, so never give a child medicine intended for an adult or for another child.

Self-care at home

• Offer plenty of fluids — water, milk or oral rehydration drinks — in small, frequent amounts
• Let your child rest and sleep as much as they need; keep them home from nursery or school while they are feverish or feel unwell
• Keep the room comfortably cool and dress your child in light layers if they have a fever
• Offer simple, familiar foods and do not worry if appetite is low for a day or two — fluids matter most
• Wash hands often and teach your child to do the same, and keep surfaces and toys clean
• Follow the instructions from your pharmacist or doctor carefully, and check the label for the correct dose for your child's age and weight
• Keep a note of symptoms, temperature readings and how much your child is drinking, so you can describe it clearly if you need to seek advice
• For babies, follow safe sleep guidance — on their back, in their own cot, in the same room as you for the first six months

Medical treatments

Doctors may recommend treatments to ease symptoms such as fever, pain or itching, or to treat a specific condition. Some bacterial infections need antibiotics, but these are not helpful for viral illnesses and are only used when they are likely to help. Children with long-term conditions such as asthma or eczema usually follow a written care plan, with regular reviews to keep it working well. Children with significant developmental or mental health concerns may be referred to a specialist team. All decisions are based on the child's age, weight, medical history and what matters most to the family. Always ask your pharmacist or doctor before giving any medicine to a child, and never share medicines between children.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is only considered for a small number of childhood problems — for example, some ear, tonsil, hernia or dental issues, or to treat an injury. It is always a joint decision between the family and a specialist team, and the benefits and risks are discussed carefully first.

Living with this condition

Raising a child who is unwell, or who has an ongoing condition, takes patience and routine. Keep days predictable where you can — regular meals, naps, playtime and bedtime help children feel secure. Keep a simple symptom diary if you are monitoring a condition, and write down questions before appointments so you do not forget them. Accept offers of help, and remember that it is normal for a child's health to be uneven: good weeks and harder weeks happen.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep vaccinations up to date — they are the simplest, strongest protection against serious illness
• Build a steady routine around sleep, meals, school and play
• Limit screen time, especially before bed, and keep screens out of the bedroom at night
• Encourage outdoor play and movement every day
• Keep the home smoke-free — never smoke in the house or car
• Store medicines, cleaning products and small objects safely out of reach
• Use car seats, helmets and stair gates appropriate to your child's age
• Make time to talk about feelings and school, and listen without rushing

Diet and exercise

Children do best with regular meals and a wide variety of foods — fruit and vegetables, starchy foods, protein such as beans, eggs, fish or meat, and dairy or dairy alternatives. Offer water and milk rather than sugary drinks. Children under 5 have different needs from older children, so ask your health visitor or doctor for age-appropriate advice, including about vitamin supplements that are routinely recommended for some young children. Aim for at least an hour of active play or movement a day for children who are walking, and plenty of floor play and tummy time for babies. Sleep matters just as much — most children need more sleep than adults, and consistent bedtimes help.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Health problems affect feelings as well as bodies. Children may become clingy, anxious, angry, withdrawn or baby-like in their behaviour when they are unwell or worried — this is usually temporary. Talk to your child in simple, honest words about what is happening. Teenagers may need privacy and time to process things. If low mood, anxiety, self-harm or big behaviour changes last more than a couple of weeks, or affect school and friendships, speak to your GP or school nurse. If you or your child are in crisis, contact your local emergency number or a local crisis support service straight away.

Prevention

Not all childhood illness can be prevented — and building immunity through ordinary infections is a normal part of growing up. But many of the most serious risks can be greatly reduced through vaccination, good nutrition, safe sleep, handwashing, a smoke-free home, careful safety in and around the home, and regular check-ups. Small, consistent habits protect children far more than any single measure.

Vaccines

Routine childhood vaccination programmes protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, some types of meningitis and pneumonia, and some cancers caused by viruses. The exact schedule varies by country, so check with your GP, health visitor or local health service and keep your child's record up to date. Some children with certain health conditions need extra vaccines — ask your doctor. If you have missed a dose, it is usually not too late to catch up.

Screening programmes

Many countries offer routine checks rather than 'screening' in the adult sense: newborn physical examinations, newborn hearing checks, blood spot tests, and regular growth and development reviews in the early years. Vision and hearing checks and dental check-ups are also offered at set ages in many places. Ask your health visitor, school nurse or GP what is available for your child's age, and attend appointments when invited.

Complications

If left untreated

• Some infections can become more serious if they are not watched or treated — for example, ear infections spreading, or a chest infection worsening
• Untreated dehydration can become an emergency, especially in babies and young children
• Delayed help for a long-term condition such as asthma can lead to more attacks and time off school
• Unrecognised hearing, vision or development concerns can affect learning, speech and confidence
• Untreated mental health difficulties can affect school, friendships and family life
• Missed vaccinations leave a child — and other children around them — at higher risk of serious disease

Long-term outlook

The great majority of children recover fully from everyday illness and go on to grow and thrive. Children are remarkably resilient, and most health worries in childhood settle with time and simple care. When a child does need extra help, early support usually works well, and services are there to help families, not to judge them. Keep asking questions, keep attending routine appointments, and trust your instincts about your child.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.