HOSPITAL TALK: Spot illness in your child early from behavioural changes
By Angella Nandawula
The writer, Nandawula Angella is a nurse
Did you know that children often have changes in their behaviors when sick? Did you know that some may be able to tell you when not well but others will not and interestingly won't have any sign of a disease?
So, you and I are at task to observe our children on a daily basis in this way you may discover the unnormal. Behavior is a child's way of expressing feelings because they can't understand or explain what they are experiencing.
Parents waiting in queue at Kisubi Hospital’s pediatric ward as their children are being triaged before seeing the pediatricians.
Children are not small adults, they see, feel and experience the world in a different way which changes as they grow, most importantly each child needs to be dealt with uniquely as an individual altogether. So, parents and guardians should be vigilant about these changes. Some of the changes may include;
- Tiredness
- Sudden changes in mood
- Sleep problems
- Feeling sad
- Irritable
- Acting younger than their age
- Over activity and finding it hard to relax.
You might be wondering why the changes in behavior, there could be a variety of reasons contributing to their change in behavior, below are some of them
- Changes in daily routine caused by illness
- Need for comfort and more attention
- Separation from family and friends
- Frustration from restricted activity
- Anxiety or low mood about hospital and treatment
- Side effects from medication
The list is endless, however, strategies and ways to manage these behavioral changes do exist and we always inform our clients about them. Please come and get the best from our Pediatrics team at Kisubi Hospital. With no doubt, your child will be in the best hands.
Inside the pediatric ward at Kisubi Hospital
Our pediatric clinic runs from Monday to Saturday starting 9:00am to 4:00pm. And be sure that your child can come with friends to play with too. We have enough play ground specially made for the kids at the Paediatric ward.
The writer, Angella Nandawula is an Enrolled Comprehensive Nurse at Kisubi Hospital
For emergencies please call; Our Lady of Consolata Kisubi Hospital; Contacts: 0700-541667 / 0776-237512 WhatsApp Contact: 0702-040213 Email: customercare@kisubihospital.co.ug www.kisubihospital.co.ug Follow on Twitter; @kisubi_hospital
