Family health A-Z - T

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Fits of uncontrollable rage common in 18-month to two-year-olds – or older - and thought to be due to the frustration of being unable to communicate effectively.

Also known as: Tuberculosis

A disease, now rare in the UK thanks to the immunisation programme, which can affect the lungs or other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, skin and bones. Treatment is usually by a combination of antibiotics.

The eruption of baby teeth, which can give rise to considerable discomfort, excessive drooling and irritability

Also known as: Tantrums

Fits of uncontrollable rage common in 18-month to two-year-olds – or older - and thought to be due to the frustration of being unable to communicate effectively.

Also known as: Fever

A body temperature that is higher than normal, often accompanying a bacterial or viral infection.

Also known as: Undescended testicles

When a boy’s testicles are not in their usual place in the scrotum by his first birthday. Usually affects only one testicle, but in some cases both may be implicated. Undescended testicles should be treated in early childhood to prevent fertility problems later on. Treatment is either by a short course of hormone therapy or by a small operation.

A serious, acute, infectious disease caused by a certain bacteria entering a cut or wound -also called ‘lockjaw’ - in which the muscles of the body, particularly those of the jaw, contract in painful spasms. Tetanus can be fatal, but is rare in the UK because of the immunisation programme.

An inherited type of anaemia whereby there is an inherited defect in one of the genes in the haemoglobin. There are different types of thalassaemia which affect sufferers to differing degrees. Genetic testing is advised for carriers of thalassaemia planning a pregnancy.

Tiny parasitic worms that resemble cotton threads and thrive in the intestines. Children commonly pick up threadworms from each other through contact with skin or objects contaminated with the eggs. These can then be ingested and grow into adult worms in the gut. The main symptom is itching around the anus, made worse at night when the worms surface to lay more eggs. Treatment is by anti-parasitic drugs.

Also known as: Roseola infantum

A mild, contagious, viral disease of childhood, also known as three-day fever, characterised by a fever lasting around three days followed by a rash of rose-coloured spots.

Infection which can occur in babies’ mouths (oral thrush) due to an overgrowth of the naturally-occurring yeast Candida albicans. Symptoms are white spots in the mouth and on the tongue, which may become sore. Treatment is with an anti-thrush drug in gel form.

A non-corporal method of punishment which involves removing a child to a designated place, such as special stool or stair, usually for one minute for each year of his age.

Surgical removal of the tonsils.

Infection and inflammation of the tonsils, causing a severe sore throat, usually treated with antibiotics.

Areas of lymphoid tissue, found on either side of the throat, which act as part of the immune system.

An infection caused by worms found in the intestines of dogs and cats. Humans become infected by accidentally ingesting worm eggs, or by eating food contaminated with soil containing the eggs. There are three types of toxocariasis, whose symptoms vary from very mild to devastating, including swelling of the brain and blindness. Fetuses and young children are most at risk.

Also known as: Motion sickness

Also known as ‘car sickness’ or ‘travel sickness’, motion sickness is nausea, sometimes accompanied by dizziness, induced by the motion of travelling by air, car or boat.

A disease, now rare in the UK thanks to the immunisation programme, which can affect the lungs or other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, skin and bones. Treatment is usually by a combination of antibiotics.