Here - Health Promotion Agency

Illness and accidents
smoking or encourage other adults
in your house to stop, then try to
make sure that your children don’t
have to smoke too by creating a
smoke-free zone. See pages 123–4
for tips on giving up.
ASTHMA
Asthma is an inflammatory condition
of the airways (bronchial tubes) of
the lungs. These carry the air we
breathe. With asthma the airways
are extra sensitive to substances or
trigger factors which irritate them,
such as dust, animal fur or cigarette
smoke. When in contact with a
trigger factor, the air passages
become narrower and a sticky
mucus (phlegm) is produced
making it difficult for air to pass
through. Asthma is on the
increase, especially in children.
The exact cause of asthma is
unknown, but an attack can be due
to sensitivity (allergy) to a trigger
factor or to non-allergic causes.
It is known that asthma often runs
in families. Viral infections are a very
common trigger of an asthma attack
– more common than allergy.
Some symptoms of asthma
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Repeated attacks of coughing
and wheezing, usually with
colds, shortness of breath and
production of phlegm. The
symptoms are often worse at night
or after exercise. Not everyone
with asthma gets all the symptoms.
And for many young children, a
dry irritating cough may be the
only symptom. See your GP if you
think your child has asthma.
Smoking during pregnancy or
around a child can increase the
child’s risk of asthma.
Breastfeeding your child for as
long as possible can help protect
against asthma developing.
COLDS
It may seem that your child always
has a cold or upper respiratory tract
infection. In fact it is normal for a
child to have a cold eight or more
times a year. This is because there
are hundreds of different viruses and
young children are meeting each one
of them for the first time. Gradually
they build up immunity and get
fewer colds. Here are some
suggestions on how to treat colds.
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Because colds are caused by
viruses, not bacteria, antibiotics
don’t help. It is also best for
antibiotics to be used only for
more serious illnesses.
Most colds will get better in five
to seven days.
Cough and cold medicines have
not been shown to work and may
produce side-effects in young
children. They may also cause
poisoning if your child accidentally
swallows more than the right dose.
Stuffiness may be made worse by
nasal decongestants; if these are
necessary they should only be
used for two to three days.
Saline nose drops may help to
loosen dried nasal secretions or a
stuffy nose – ask your pharmacist,
GP or health visitor about these.
Tickling the nose with a teased
cotton bud causes sneezing and is
helpful for clearing the nose
before feeding.
Increase the amount of fluid your
child normally drinks.
A pillow or blanket put under the
baby’s mattress to raise the head
may help snuffly babies breathe
more easily.
CHILDREN WHO NEED
SPECIALIST CARE
Newborns are tested for
sickle cell disorders,
phenylketonuria, congenital
hypothyroidism, and in some
cases cystic fibrosis. If your
child has any of these
conditions, he/she will
require specialist care. This
type of care is agreed between
parents or guardians and
health professionals.
Voluntary organisations can
also provide information,
support and advice (see
Useful organisations on
pages 148 and 149).
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