Childhood Illness - The Basics

Healthy young children have up to 12 infections each year. These are a normal part of childhood. Find out when you need to see a doctor. 

A young boy blowing his nose

© Grzegorzmoment | Dreamstime.com - Child cold flu illness tissue blowing runny nose

Father with his back to camera holding his crying unwell young child

Colds and fever are a normal part of childhood. Sometimes families worry about missing a more serious illness. Knowing your child and seeing a change in their behaviour could be the most important clue to how sick they are.

Washing hands in basin

Cleaning your hands gets rid of germs you pick up from other people. Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick and spreading illnesses.

Boy opening curtains

Keeping your whānau (family) healthy over winter means keeping your home warm and dry. Check out all the tips in the videos about how to keep your home warm and dry. Find out what support is available.

Sick young boy lying in bed with a thermometer in his mouth and his mother's hand on his forehead

Fevers are common in children. Fever by itself does not tell you whether your child is seriously sick. Even an ordinary cold can cause a high fever.

A hand holding a thermometer in front of a little child in bed

The most common reason for a child to have a raised temperature is because they are fighting off an infection.

Baby with oxygen tube having trouble breathing

Watch the videos and know the signs and the different noises babies and children can make when they are having trouble breathing. That way you can act fast and get help.

Photo of CPR demonstration

Tamariki (children) and pēpi (babies) who are not responding and not breathing normally will need CPR.

Febrile seizures are a common childhood problem. Seizures with a fever are more common in children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years.