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Common Childhood Illness

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firstyears.com.au

Simple support for babies, toddlers & new parents

Common Childhood Illness

A calm Australian guide to fever, coughs, colds, sore throats, ear pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, rashes, croup, bronchiolitis, medicines, childcare illness and when to seek help from birth to 5 years.

General information only. This guide does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, emergency care or first aid training. Call 000 for breathing difficulty, blue/grey colour, collapse, seizure, severe allergic reaction, serious injury, unconsciousness, severe dehydration or if your child is seriously unwell.

First Yearsfirstyears.com.auCommon Illness

Start here

Quick summary

The calm version

Most childhood illnesses are mild and improve with time, rest and fluids. The important parent job is not diagnosing everything at home. It is watching the whole child: breathing, colour, alertness, hydration, pain and whether your parent concern is growing.

Most settleMany illnesses are viral and improve.
Age mattersBabies under 3 months need earlier care.
FeverFever is a symptom, not always danger.
FluidsWee, nappies and drinking are clues.
Ask earlyCall if unsure or something feels wrong.

What matters most

  • A fever is 38 degrees Celsius or higher. Babies under 3 months with fever need urgent medical assessment. [1]
  • Breathing, colour, alertness and hydration are often more important than a single symptom in isolation. [2]
  • Coughs can last several weeks after a cold, but breathing difficulty, wheeze, stridor or worsening symptoms need review. [3]
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, especially in babies and toddlers. [4][5]
  • Return-to-care and testing rules can change, so check your childcare service and current state or territory health guidance.
  • This guide does not replace medical care. If you are worried, seek advice early.

General information only. This guide does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, emergency care or first aid training. Call 000 for breathing difficulty, blue/grey colour, collapse, seizure, severe allergic reaction, serious injury, unconsciousness, severe dehydration or if your child is seriously unwell.

First Yearsfirstyears.com.auCommon Illness

Practical companion

A stronger page-by-page structure

Design aim

This guide should work like a family health companion: fast emergency pages first, then practical symptom support, logs, childcare communication and Australian resources.

SectionSuggested visual/toolWhy it helps
Quick summaryFive-icon illness checkSets the calm mental model.
What do I do now?Emergency/urgent/monitor decision tableHelps parents act quickly.
Emergency signsLook at the whole child checklistReduces focus on one number only.
Fever and young babiesFever table and logClarifies the under-3-month rule.
Respiratory illnessCough/breathing tableKeeps breathing red flags visible.
Gastro and dehydrationFluid/nappy trackersSupports home monitoring.
Rashes and specific illnessesObservation checklistsHelps GP/healthdirect calls.
Medicines and childcareDose log and illness noteReduces double dosing and return confusion.

General information only. This guide does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, emergency care or first aid training. Call 000 for breathing difficulty, blue/grey colour, collapse, seizure, severe allergic reaction, serious injury, unconsciousness, severe dehydration or if your child is seriously unwell.

Unlock the full PDF

The full guide includes 37 pages, printable tools including fever log, medicine dose log, symptom tracker, when to seek help fridge page, trusted resource links and safety guidance. It is part of the First Years first 2000 days library.

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Feeding GuideFirst Foods Starter GuideNewborn EssentialsSleep GuideParent WellbeingHealth & Safety BasicsCommon Childhood IllnessAllergies, Eczema & AsthmaDental & Oral HealthToddler GuideBig Feelings & BehaviourToilet LearningFamily Routines PackChildcare & Preschool ReadinessDevelopment GuidePlay & LearningSpeech, Language & CommunicationDevelopmental Concerns & Early Support
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