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► Symptoms of Common Illnesses

Here is a list of symptoms for common illnesses and infections. IF you think you may have any of the following conditions, please consult your GP.

Flu (also known as influenza)
Flu is an infectious disease of the upper air passages (known as the upper respiratory tract).

The symptoms are:
· fever that comes on quickly (38-40C; 100-104F),
· sweating and feeling feverish,
· general muscle aches and pains,
· a feeling of general tiredness,
· dry, chesty cough,
· sneezing,
· running or blocked nose, and
· difficulty sleeping.

Bacterial Meningitis
The symptoms of bacterial meningitis usually begin abruptly and rapidly worsen. If you suspect a case of bacterial meningitis phone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

Symptoms include:
· a severe headache,
· fever,
· vomiting,
· drowsiness,
· confusion,
· seizures or fits,
· cannot tolerate bright lights (photophobia) - this is less common in young children, and
· a stiff neck - this is also less common in young children.

Viral meningitis
Most people with viral meningitis will have mild flu-symptoms of headaches, fever, chills and muscle or joint pain.
More severe cases of viral meningitis will share many of the same symptoms of bacterial meningitis.

The most commonly reported symptoms in severe viral meningitis are:
· fever,
· headache,
· photophobia,
· nausea, and
· vomiting.

Swine Flu
Catch it; Bin it; Kill it!
Swine flu is the common name that has been given to a new strain of influenza. It is called swine flu because it is thought to have originated in pigs, but this is not known for certain. The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu, but may be more severe and cause more serious complications.

The typical symptoms are:
· sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above), and
· sudden cough.

Other symptoms may include:
· headache,
· tiredness,
· chills,
· aching muscles,
· limb or joint pain,
· diarrhoea or stomach upset,
· sore throat,
· runny nose,
· sneezing, and
· loss of appetite.

Most people who have contracted swine flu recover within a week and do not suffer complications, even without being given antiviral medication.

Mumps
The incubation period for mumps (the time that the viral infection is in your system before the symptoms begin to show) is between 14 and 21 days. However, a person who has the mumps infection is contagious from about six days before their glands swell, until about five days after they swell. You can only pass on mumps if you currently have the infection.

Other symptoms of mumps may include:
· pain when chewing and swallowing,
· sore throat,
· fever,
· feeling tired,
· loss of appetite,
· mild abdominal (tummy) pain,
· dry mouth, and
· headache.

There may be swelling around the ovaries (in girls) or testes (in boys after puberty).

Impetigo
Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the skin.

Non-bullous impetigo
The symptoms of non-bullous impetigo begin with the appearance of red sores; usually on the area around the nose and mouth. The sores quickly burst leaving thick, yellow-brown golden crusts. The crusts will then dry leaving a red mark that typically heals without scarring.

The sores are not painful, but they may be itchy. It is important not to touch, or scratch, the sores because this can spread the infection to other parts of your body, and to other people.

Other symptoms of infection such as fever and swollen glands are rare but they may occur in more severe cases.

Bullous impetigo
The symptoms of bullous impetigo begin with the appearance of fluid-filled blisters, usually on the trunk, the arms or legs. The blisters can quickly spread and then will burst after several days leaving a yellow crust, which will then heal without scarring.

The blisters are not painful but the area of skin around them may be itchy. Again, it is important not to touch or scratch affected areas of the skin.

Symptoms of fever and swollen glands are more common in bullous impetigo.

Head Lice
Infestation often causes itching of the scalp, but may also go unnoticed. If you suspect head lice, check the base of hairs for eggs and comb the hair over a piece of white paper to see if you can spot any dark mature lice.

Sometimes an infestation is marked by tiny red spots on the scalp. Lice may be visible in the hair behind the ears and at the nape of the neck as these are favourite spots for infestations.