Child Health

0 – 5 Years

 

Children’s Immunisation Schedule

Here’s a check-list of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK for free on the NHS, and the age at which you should ideally have them.

 
2 months:
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib, a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children) given as a 5-in-1 single jab known as DTaP/IPV/Hib
  • Pneumococcal infection

child health

 
3 months:
  • 5-in-1, second dose (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
  • Meningitis C
 
4 months:
  • 5-in-1, third dose (DTaP/IPV/Hib)
  • Pneumococcal infection, second dose
  • Meningitis C, second dose
 
Between 12 and 13 months:
  • Meningitis C, third dose
  • Hib, fourth dose (Hib/MenC given as a single jab)
  • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), given as a single jab
  • Pneumococcal infection, third dose
 
3 years and 4 months, or soon after:
  • MMR second jab
  • Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (DtaP/IPV), given as a 4-in-1 pre-school booster
 

Children’s Health

There is a good guide on the NHS website which describes various conditions affecting children. There is advice on how to diagnose them, how to treat them and if further advice should be consulted.

NHS  CHILDHOOD ILLNESS SLIDESHOW

 

When Should I Worry?

Having an ill child can be a very scary experience for parents. If you understand more about the illness it can help you to feel more in control. This booklet is for parents (and older children) and deals with common infections in children who are normally healthy.

Download the booklet

 

NHS Choices Conditions and Treatments

See the NHS Choices Conditions and Treatments browser for an in-depth description of many common health issues.

 

Child Health 6 to 15 Years

Children’s Vaccination Schedule

 
Around 12-13 years:
  • Cervical cancer (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer (girls only): three jabs given within six months
 
Around 13-18 years:
  • Diphtheria, tetanus and polio booster (Td/IPV), given as a single jab
 

Fevers

Most symptoms of a fever in young children can be managed at home with infant paracetamol. If the fever is very high, they may have an infection that needs treating with antibiotics.

 

Head Lice

Head lice are insects that live on the scalp and neck. They may make your head feel itchy. Although head lice may be embarrassing and sometimes uncomfortable, they don’t usually cause illness. However, they won’t clear up on their own and you need to treat them promptly

 

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds (also known as epistaxis) are fairly common, especially in children, and can generally be easily treated.

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