All ages

When tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) receive health or disability services, their needs should be the primary concern of the health provider.

Sore throats are common in tamariki (children). Sometimes tamariki can get 'strep throat'. A rare complication of strep throat is rheumatic fever.

Allergies happen when your child's immune system mistakenly treats normally harmless substances as 'harmful'. The substances that trigger allergies are called allergens. The symptoms of an allergy vary according to what a child or young person is allergic to. 

It is important to know all the medicines your child is taking. Being well informed can help prevent mistakes with medicines.

Appendicitis can be serious. See a health professional urgently if you think your child has symptoms of appendicitis.

Eczema is a dry skin condition. It's often manageable at home with daily care. While there's no cure for eczema, good management can help control its symptoms.

All young tamariki (children) have a limited attention span and sometimes do things without thinking. If these are severe enough to interfere with their learning and social relationships, in more than one setting, they can be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Gastroenteritis (gastro) is a bowel infection, usually caused by a virus. It causes runny, watery poo and sometimes vomiting. Tamariki (children) with gastroenteritis need to drink plenty of fluids.

Doctors will usually arrange a lumbar puncture to find out if your child has an infection of the lining or the fluid around their brain. A doctor inserts a needle in the lower back to get a sample of the fluid that moves around the brain and spine.

Bedwetting happens during sleep. Your child can't control their bedwetting - it is not their fault. Most tamariki (children) grow out of bedwetting.

Circumcision is the operation to remove the foreskin. Circumcision is not risk free. It's important to find out about the potential risks as well as potential benefits when considering circumcision.

An intravenous line (IV line) is a short, small plastic tube that the healthcare team may put into your child's vein using a needle. They remove the needle and leave the plastic tube in place so they can use medicines to treat your child.

Facing the death of your own child is one of the toughest life experiences. Here is some information you may find helpful. Some of it may apply to your own situation, some of it may not.

Tamariki (children) injured in driveway accidents often suffer severe and sometimes fatal injuries. Always check for tamariki before driving off, supervise them around vehicles and separate play areas from driveways.

Bereaved tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) may experience a wide range of ongoing grief reactions, as adults do, but their age and stage, personality and whānau (family) situation will affect their experience and expression of it.

Activity is just as important for your baby or young child as it is for older tamariki (children) - it helps them to learn and grow. Check out some resources to support young tamariki to sit less, move more and sleep well.