How to avoid getting ill when your child is ill

Having a sick baby or child at home is no fun ... and I'm just talking about relatively minor illnesses like the common cold or a flu. It's awful to see your offspring suffer and not be their usual joyful self. It's also tough to manage the extra care they require and put up with (usually) more sleepless nights as they struggle to settle down or keep waking up. But there is something that's worse ... and that is getting sick yourself when your child is unwell. With many illnesses such as the common cold or the flu it almost seems inevitable that whoever spends most time with the child gets sick as well (school teachers and day care centre staff can tell a tale of this). So what can we do as parents to avoid getting sick when our children have a cold or flu? Here's my starter for 10 list based on recent experience (my 19-month old went through 2 consecutive colds and an ear infection and I didn't get sick - YAY!).

Spotting Meningococcal Disease

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection. It causes serious illnesses including:

* meningitis (an infection of the membranes that cover the brain)
* septicaemia (a serious infection in the blood).

In its early stages meningococcal disease may look like a case of influenza and is difficult to diagnose. It can progress very quickly.

Treatment
Prompt treatment with antibiotics may prevent death or permanent disability such as damage to the brain, deafness or loss of limbs.

How meningococcal disease is spread
Meningococcal disease can easily be passed from one person to another. Around one in five people carry meningococcal bacteria in
their nose and throat without getting sick. The bacteria may be spread through close contact such as:

* living in the same household
* coughing and sneezing
* sharing food and drink
* kissing.

Who is at risk?