Sore throats are often caused by viral infections, but can also be caused by bacterial infections.Take your child to the doctor if he has a sore throat and also has trouble breathing, is drooling, has a stiff neck or has a fever.The way you treat a sore throat depends on its cause.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the large airway passages that connect the windpipe to the lungs. If your child has bronchitis, she might breathe harder and produce more mucus than normal, but it’s usually nothing to worry about. Bronchitis treatment depends on the cause of the infection.

Asthma makes it really hard for children to breathe. This is because their airway passages swell when they come into contact with things that trigger their asthma, like allergens, viral infections, smoke, exercise and weather changes. Children might get asthma because of genes and the environment.

Whooping cough starts like a cold, and then a cough develops. Coughing bouts might end with a ‘whoop’ sound when children breathe in. See your doctor as soon as possible if your child has whooping cough symptoms. The doctor might prescribe antibiotics to stop the infection from spreading. Help to prevent whooping cough by getting your child immunised. Immunisation for pregnant women is also recommended.

Hand, foot and mouth disease causes small mouth ulcers and blisters on hands and feet. The disease is usually mild and most children get better quickly. Drinking lots of fluid is important. Keep your child at home until the blisters have dried up.

Anaemia is most often caused by iron deficiency. Many babies and children get anaemia. See your doctor if your child looks very pale, is irritable and is very tired. Treatment for iron deficiency anaemia usually involves adding iron-rich foods to your child’s diet and giving iron supplements to help get your child iron levels back to normal.

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs. If your child has pneumonia, you’re likely to notice changes in his breathing, as well as symptoms including fever, a moist cough, increased irritability and unusual tiredness.

"Mumps is a viral infection of the salivay glands that is usually starts with a fever, which is followed by swelling around the face. Its main complications are inflammation of the testicles and brain. See your doctor if you think your child has mumps. Treat mumps symptoms with paracetamolor Ibuprofen, rest and fluids. Ice packs may also help with pain and swelling. Immunisation is the best protection against mumps.."

A heart murmur is an extra noise in the heart. Several things can cause a heart murmur in children and teenagers. A heart murmur doesn’t always mean that your child has a heart problem or heart disease.