Practical skills to help you look after a sick child
Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunisation
The MMR vaccine protects against:
These are highly infectious diseases that spread easily between unvaccinated people and can cause serious health problems. In the UK, measles is currently on the rise, with nearly 7 out of 10 cases affecting children under 10 years old.
The best thing you can do to protect your child is to have them vaccinated. Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases.
The MMR vaccine is recommended for all babies and young children, but older children and adults can have it if they were not vaccinated when they were younger.
Getting vaccinated helps to protect your child and other people in your family and community who are unable to have the vaccine (e.g. pregnant women, unborn babies, people with weakened immune systems).
Barnardo’s has partnered with the Institute of Health Visiting to bring you a short film about the MMR vaccine. In this film, you will hear from parents Radhika and Manish on their experience of making the decision to vaccinate their son, Kabeer.
For more online information about measles, mumps and rubella and the MMR vaccine visit the NHS website. For information that can be translated into different languages visit the Oxford Vaccine Group website.
Contact your GP surgery to book your child in for the MMR vaccination, or contact your health visitor for more information.
Seasonal illnesses
During winter, there is often a rise in coughs and colds among children.These infections are common and easily treated, but some are more serious. You know better than anyone else what your child is usually like, so you’ll know when something is seriously wrong. It’s important to trust your instincts if your child is unwell. Get medical help if you think you need it.
We’ve developed advice to help you understand the key symptoms to look out for, what you can do to take care of your child and when to seek help.
This website has lots more advice about keeping your family healthy and happy, as does the NHS Healthier Together website.
Bronchiolitis and RSV information is also available in Urdu (اردو), Somali (Soomaali), Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ), Bengali (বাংলা), Hindi (हिंदी), Portuguese (português), Ukrainian (український), Arabic (العربية), Polish (polskim) and French (français).
Strep A information is also available in Urdu (اردو), Somali (Soomaali), Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ), Bengali (বাংলা), Hindi (हिंदी), Portuguese (português), Ukrainian (український), Arabic (العربية), Polish (polskim) and French (français).
Asthma
This free training covers the skills and knowledge needed to safely care for a child or young person with asthma. It's ideal for parents and carers, as well as professionals such as those working in education, health and non-healthcare roles. Follow the link below, scroll down to Tier 1 and start there.
