The common cold is a viral infection of your nose and throat (upper respiratory
tract). It's usually harmless, although it might not feel that way. Many types
of viruses can cause a common cold.
Most people recover from a common cold in a week or 10 days. Symptoms might last
longer in people who smoke. Generally, you don't need medical attention for a
common cold. However, if symptoms don't improve or if they get worse, see your
doctor.
Gastroenteritis (gastro) is a bowel infection that causes diarrhoea (runny, watery poo)
and sometimes vomiting. The vomiting may settle quickly, but the diarrhoea can last up
to 10 days.
Gastro can be caused by many different germs, although the most common cause of gastro
is a viral infection.
Croup is a condition caused by a viral infection. The virus leads to swelling of the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). This swelling makes the airway narrower, so it is harder to breathe. Children with croup develop a harsh, barking cough and may make a noisy, high-pitched sound when they breathe in (stridor).
Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis are life long gastrointestinal disorders that commonly present themselves in children, adolescents and adulthood.
Collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the conditions are an emerging global disease, with Australia having one of the highest prevalence in the world.
Considering the recent announcement that WA will be moving to level 2 restrictions, which include children from Years 3-6 having to wear masks in all public indoor settings, Dial-A-Doctor would like to offer some guidance and useful links on how best to prepare your child.
By now, just about everyone in Australia will have known someone who has either contracted or been affected by COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. The super transmissible strain shows no signs of slowing down, with tens of thousands of new infections being recorded across the country every day.