Mona Blog

Notes from a father and indie developer, written when the kids are asleep.

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Fever

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27 articles

Parent sits at night by the bed of a crying toddler who is grabbing at one ear, dim bedside lamp

Latest

Ear Infection in a Child: Symptoms, What Helps at Night, When to See a Doctor

Spot a middle ear infection in your child: typical symptoms, what helps at night, when antibiotics are needed and when to seek urgent help — calm, NHS-based guidance.

Jul 17, 2026

2026

Parent looking into a child's red throat in dim light, a thermometer and medicine on the bedside table

Scarlet Fever in Children: Symptoms, What to Expect, and When They Can Go Back to Nursery

How to spot scarlet fever in children: strawberry tongue, sandpaper rash, sore throat. When antibiotics are needed and when your child can go back to nursery.

Jul 14, 2026 · 10 min read

Parent cuddling a sniffly toddler with a red nose in a blanket in daylight, tea on the side table

Constantly Ill Since Starting Nursery? Why It's Normal

Child constantly ill since starting nursery? Why the nursery bug is normal immune training, how many colds are normal, and when your child can go back.

Jul 11, 2026 · 11 min read

Parent sitting on the edge of the bed at night, looking thoughtfully at their sleeping toddler, thermometer and phone on the nightstand

“Did I Miss Something?” – When Your Child Is Ill and the Doubts Won't Go Away

When your child is ill, a nagging doubt often lingers: did I miss something? Why that's completely normal — and how writing it down gives you certainty back.

Jul 8, 2026 · 9 min read

Parent placing a cool compress on the forehead of a child with the flu resting in bed

Flu or a Common Cold? How to Tell the Difference in Your Child

Real flu (influenza) or just a common cold? Learn how to tell the difference in your child, how long each lasts, the warning signs, and when to call your GP or 999.

Jul 3, 2026 · 8 min read

Parent gently examining a toddler's red, watery eye in soft daylight

Conjunctivitis in Children: Is It Contagious and When Can They Go Back to Nursery?

Viral, bacterial or allergic conjunctivitis in your child? Learn what's contagious, when to see your GP, and whether your child needs to stay off nursery or school.

Jul 1, 2026 · 6 min read

Exhausted child lying under a soft blanket while a parent offers a small cup of fluid

Norovirus in Children: Managing Fluids, Spotting Dehydration, and When to See a Doctor

Norovirus in children: how to replace fluids step by step, recognise dehydration early, and know when to call 999 or NHS 111. With a clear triage table.

Jun 27, 2026 · 9 min read

Parent at a table examining the red, swollen insect-sting site on a child's arm

Insect Sting in Children: When Is Swelling Normal – and When to Call 999?

Normal swelling or allergic shock? Learn which signs after an insect sting in children are harmless and when you need to act immediately.

Jun 24, 2026 · 7 min read

Parent holding a child upright at an open window at night, cool air coming in

Croup in Children at Night: Recognise It, Help Immediately, Know When to Call 999

Barking cough, stridor, breathing difficulty at 3am — what croup is, what helps straight away, and when to call 999. A practical guide for parents.

Jun 20, 2026 · 9 min read

Child with a sun hat sitting exhausted in the shade, parent cooling forehead with a damp cloth

Sunstroke or Heatstroke in Children? Symptoms, Differences and First Aid

Sunstroke vs heatstroke in children: how to tell the difference, what to do first, and when to call 999 immediately. With a clear decision table.

Jun 17, 2026 · 8 min read

Exhausted parent sitting by a child's bed at night in dim lamplight, a thermometer beside them

Day 3 of Fever – and You've Lost Track Completely

Your child's fever has dragged on for days and you no longer know when the last dose was or how high it was this morning? Everyone loses track. Why a diary lifts the mental load.

Jun 12, 2026 · 8 min read

Child in a sun hat resting on a blanket in the shade, a parent beside them with a notebook and water bottle

Child Sick on Holiday: What to Do About Fever, Diarrhoea & More

Child sick on holiday: what to do about fever, travellers' diarrhoea, and colds away from home. Travel first-aid kit, spotting dehydration, when to see a doctor — and tracking offline.

Jun 9, 2026 · 11 min read

Child with a light scarf and tea on the sofa, summer daylight through the shutters

Summer Cold in Children: Symptoms, Course, and When to See a Doctor

Summer cold (summer flu) in children: typical symptoms, course, difference from real influenza, and when to see a doctor. With decision table and FAQ.

Jun 5, 2026 · 11 min read

A parent and child sitting calmly and cosily together under a blanket on the sofa

Bornavirus in Germany and Europe: How Dangerous Is It for Children?

How dangerous is Borna disease virus (BoDV-1) for children? Where it occurs in Germany and Europe, how it spreads, and simple ways to protect your family.

Jun 3, 2026 · 9 min read

Child at a spring window with a tissue, parent watching attentively

Allergy or Cold in a Child: 7 Differences for a Self-Check

Is your child sneezing through spring — allergy or cold? 7 clear differences in mucus, itch, fever, duration, and season. A self-check for parents.

Jun 2, 2026 · 6 min read

Parent gently holds a small warm cloth against a sleepy child's ear at night, dim bedside lamp

Ear Pain in a Child at Night: What Helps Immediately, When to See a Doctor

Your child is crying at night with ear pain? What gives relief right now, which warning signs are an emergency, and when the morning is soon enough — calm guidance.

May 29, 2026 · 7 min read

Parent gently comforts a tired child resting on a sofa under a soft blanket, a glass of clear fluid on the side table

Diarrhoea and Vomiting in a Child for 3 Days: What Helps, When to See Your GP

Your child has had diarrhoea and vomiting for 3 days? When it's still normal, when to see your GP — and how to keep an overview day by day.

May 26, 2026 · 13 min read

A worried parent at a child's bedside in dim warm lamp light at night, gently placing a hand on the feverish child's forehead. A digital thermometer rests on the nightstand.

Fever of 39.5 °C in a Toddler: When Do You Need to See a Doctor?

A 39.5 °C fever in a toddler is high — but not automatically an emergency. Which warning signs matter and when to call 999, your GP, or wait.

May 22, 2026 · 6 min read

Parent gently offers a small glass of water to an exhausted toddler resting under a soft blanket

My Child Can't Keep Down Fluids During Stomach Flu: What to Do and When to See a Doctor

Stomach flu in children: how to rehydrate spoonful by spoonful, spot dehydration early, and when to see a doctor right away. With a clear triage table.

May 19, 2026 · 11 min read

A parent gently examining a small red rash on a young child's hand and foot in a sunlit bedroom

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Children: How Long Contagious and When Back to Nursery?

Hand, foot and mouth in your child: how long contagious, when to return to nursery, what helps. Clear guidance on rash, fever, and when to call a doctor.

May 15, 2026 · 12 min read

Parent comforting a coughing child under a blanket on the couch, with steaming tea on the side table

Cough in Children: When to See a Doctor, What Actually Helps

Dry or productive cough? When does your child need a doctor? Which home remedies are safe? Practical guidance for parents.

May 7, 2026 · 9 min read

Why Your Memory Fails at the GP (And What Actually Helps)

Stressed parents forget half the details at the doctor. Why cognitive overload is to blame and how a symptom diary saves time instead of adding work.

Mar 15, 2026 · 7 min read

Exhausted parent reading a medication leaflet by lamplight with children's fever medicine on the table

Ibuprofen or Paracetamol? What Parents Really Need to Know

Ibuprofen or paracetamol for your child? Differences in how they work, weight-based dosing, timing between doses, and when to use which – clearly explained.

Mar 15, 2026 · 10 min read

My Child Is Always Sick: How Many Infections Are Normal?

8–12 infections per year in toddlers are normal – especially in nursery. When to worry and how to help your GP spot patterns.

Mar 15, 2026 · 9 min read

Parent taking a child's temperature with a thermometer

Fever in Children: When Is It Dangerous – and When Just Annoying?

Fever curves, warning signs, and febrile seizures: when fever in children is harmless and when you need to act immediately. With a practical checklist.

Mar 14, 2026 · 9 min read

Exhausted mother coming home from the night shift to a sick child

Mom Works the Night Shift – And Nobody Knows When the Last Fever Suppository Was Given

Shift work, a sick child, and no one remembers the last dose. Why timing matters with paracetamol and ibuprofen – and how a shared log keeps your family safe.

Mar 14, 2026 · 7 min read

Fever in Children: What Parents Should Know

When does a fever become dangerous for children? What really helps? Practical tips for parents to properly assess and manage fever.

Mar 10, 2026 · 8 min read