There are a number of sicknesses that have a seasonal cycle. For example, in Australia the Ross River virus is around more in autumn (May), while norovirus, meningococcal and pneumococcal infections are widespread in winter.
Winter gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis in young children and babies occurs more often from about April each year and is often called winter gastro. It is an illness caused by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system, mostly by viral or bacterial infections, but also by bacterial toxins, parasites, some chemicals and some drugs. In Australia the most common causes of gastroenteritis are viruses, often the rotavirus, and the most common bacterial gastroenteritis is Campylobacter infection. Infection occurs when the virus or bacterium enters your gut, usually by eating or drinking.
Gastroenteritis is very easily spread; an infected person can pass the bacteria to other people, or surfaces, by not washing their hands properly. Good hygiene, including thorough washing of hands, is essential to protect yourself and other family members.
Generally, gastroenteritis is over within a few days. Typical symptoms include tummy cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting but can also include:
- loss of appetite
- bloating
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- bloody stools (in some cases)
- pus in the stools (in some cases)
- generally feeling unwell, including lethargy and body aches.
Meningococcal infections
These can happen at any time of the year but are most common in winter and spring. Meningococcal infection is caused by bacteria called meningococci. These germs can be found living harmlessly in the nose and throat of about 20 per cent of the Australian population. In a very small number of people, the germs spread into the bloodstream and cause very serious illnesses.
Meningococcal disease can affect anyone, but it is most common in young children under five years old, and young people 15 to 24 years of age. Meningococcal infections occur as septicaemia (the germ invades the bloodstream and causes blood poisoning) or meningitis (the germ infects and causes inflammation of the outer lining around the brain and spinal cord).
Fortunately, it is not easy to catch the disease. The bacteria are spread in droplets from the nose or throat or from mucous membranes (lining of the nose and mouth) from close contact over a long time with a carrier of the bacteria (that’s about one in every five of us). Even when it does spread, it is only in a very few people that the infection actually invades the bloodstream to cause the disease. You can spread the infection by kissing, face-to-face contact over a long time, or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Cot death (SIDS)
The winter months of June, July and August are the worst time of year for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths. The risk of SIDS is greatest in babies younger than six months old and increases during cold weather, probably because of too much bed clothing in the cot.
Follow these simple steps to help reduce the chance of SIDS in your young baby.
- Put your baby on his/her back to sleep
- Make sure your baby’s head remains uncovered during sleep
- Keep your baby smoke free, before birth and after
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