- New research indicates that children starting nursery can expect to experience approximately 15 illnesses in their first year, typically comprising 12 respiratory, two gastrointestinal, and one rash-related episode.
- Experts, including consultant paediatrician Dr Arindam Das, confirm that frequent illness in early childhood is a normal and crucial process for developing a child's immune system.
- Common ailments children frequently pick up in nursery settings include coughs and colds, fever, tummy bugs, conjunctivitis, hand, foot and mouth disease, and chickenpox.
- The article provides practical advice for parents on managing these common illnesses at home, highlighting the importance of good hygiene and adequate hydration.
- Guidelines for keeping children home from nursery include waiting 48 hours after vomiting or diarrhoea symptoms have stopped, and keeping them home if they have a high temperature or are actively coughing and sneezing.
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