Top Tip

Children are constantly bumping and bruising themselves. All it takes is one fall too hard, and your child just might end up with a broken bone. One out of five people has a fracture at some point of time in their lives, and the maximum of these fractures occur during childhood. Here are some first aid tips, which you should memorise, just to be on the safe side.

How can you tell if it's a fracture or a sprain?
The pain is less intensive in a sprain than in a fracture, but never make the mistake of underestimating your child's pain. It takes a doctor to differentiate between the two, which is why the same kind of first aid is administered in both cases.

What is a dislocation?
A dislocation is when the bone has come out from the socket. This also results in acute pain, swelling, an inability to carry any weight and an inability to move the injured limb. The first aid administered in case of a dislocation is also the same.

Fractures are of two kinds:

Hairline fracture
A hairline fracture is just when the bone gets a CRACK that goes through it. Such fracture still cause immense pain, but at least chances of an operation are less.

Compound fracture
A compound fracture is one in which the bone completely breaks apart pops out through the skin. Ouch! This is the worst kind, and it may result in loss of blood as well. If your child has had a bad fall, and you feel it may be a fracture, you should call a doctor, preferably an orthopedic surgeon, immediately. Here's what you can do by way of administering first aid.

Do NOT move the injured limb
The first step to be taken is to immobilise the limb. It should not be moved at all. Use any handy material to immobilise the limb. You could use a magazine or newspaper for support, and make a sling with the help of some cloth, a rope or shoelaces.

Leg Fracture
If your child has fractured his leg, carefully straighten it out. Call for an ambulance and in the meantime, secure the leg so it doesn't move. Apply two splints, one on the inner leg from the foot to the inner thigh, and the other, on the outside, from the foot to the armpit. Secure the splints well. Do NOT move your child until his leg has been completely immobilised. You could even tie both legs together for added support.

Hand Fracture
The hand should be moved to a 90-degree angle and kept close to the chest. It should be immobilised in this position. Move the hand as gently as possible, and if the pain is too intense, do not move it at all.

Bleeding
If your child is bleeding, you should treat the bleeding first. Stop the bleeding by first cleaning it carefully with an antiseptic, and then by applying a sterile dressing. Do not bandage tightly over the injury site. Apply a clean dressing gently over the wound.

Remember
Keep RICE in mind, as a first aid treatment for all fractures, sprains and dislocations. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

Rest
Give plenty of rest to the immobilsed limb. Move it as little as possible so that there is no strain.

Ice
Apply ice to the injured area. No heat treatment or massage should be given. Use an ice pack or wrap up some ice cubes in a damp towel and apply it to the injured area. You could also use anything frozen such as a packet of frozen peas. Do not massage the injured area, and don't apply any ointments like Iodex.

Compression
Wrap up the injured area with a crepe bandage if possible, or use any clean, fresh cloth available. Wrap it as tight as is comfortable. However, ask the doctor before bandaging the area. This will relieve the pain somewhat.

Elevation
The injured limb should preferably be raised above the level of the heart. This could be done with the help of a pillow while sleeping.

15% of those who survive will be left with devastating after-effects including brain damage, loss of hearing and sight, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and where septicaemia (blood poisoning) has occurred, loss of limbs. Others could be left with less visible after-effects including loss of memory and concentration, behavioural problems, piercing headaches and joint pain.

Recent research for the Meningitis Trust indicates that as many as 500,000 people living in the UK today have had meningitis And up to 10 million adults in the UK - as many as one adult in every four - personally know of someone who has contracted meningitis There is still no vaccine available to protect against meningococcal group B bacteria, the most common bacterial cause of meningitis.

What is Meningitis?

Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The most common germs that cause meningitis are viruses and bacteria.

These germs usually live harmlessly in the back of the throat. Most of us will carry them at some stage in our lives without becoming ill, and they help us build up natural immunity. Occasionally, these germs get past the body's defences and cause infection. They are passed from person to person through coughing and sneezing, but will rarely cause disease.

Know the symptoms, save a life

Meningitis is a disease that can affect anyone, of any age, at any time; striking within minutes and killing within hours. Those who survive can be left with devastating after-effects that can change their life forever. Quick action can save lives - if you suspect meningitis or are concerned, seek medical help immediately. With no vaccine available to protect against the most common bacterial type of meningitis, knowing the signs and symptoms is the best form of defence against the disease. Remain vigilant of the symptoms at all times and trust your instincts.

Signs and symptoms

Meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) are often difficult to recognise. In the early stages, signs and symptoms can be similar to other more common illnesses like flu. Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all. Meningitis and septicaemia often happen together - be aware of all the signs and symptoms and trust your instincts.

•      Refusing food or vomiting
•      Fretful, dislike of being handled
•      Pale blotchy skin
•      Listless, unresponsive
•      Drowsy, difficult to wake
•      Unusual high-pitched cry, moaning
•      Septicaemia
•      Fever, cold hands and feet
•      Spots or rash that does not fade under pressure (use glass tumbler test)
•      Rapid breathing or grunting
•      Severe headaches
•      Dislike of bright lights
•      Stiff neck, muscle pain
•      Confusion and irritability
•      Severe muscle pain
•      Stomach cramps and diarrhoea

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