Page 81 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence

TEEN AILMENT S 79

Migraines
Mumps
A contagious viral infection that causes
A severe or moderate headache, usually
painful swellings at the side of the face
on one side of the head, sometimes with
warning signs beforehand like visual
under the ears
disturbances; occasionally, no headache
but other symptoms Complications: Damage to pancreas
gland, infertility (rarely), meningitis, swollen ovaries
Complications: Sometimes vomiting, nausea
or testicles
Causes: Viral infection, spread through saliva
Causes: Unknown, may be due to abnormal nerve
Symptoms: Fever, headache, joint pains, swelling
signals affecting chemicals and blood vessels in the brain
of parotid salivary glands on face under ears
Symptoms: Blurred vision, headache, increased
sensitivity to light and sound, vomiting, nausea
Diagnosis: Saliva swab
Treatment: Cold compress for swollen glands, fluids,
Diagnosis: Clinical diagnosis, pattern of symptoms
mild painkillers, rest; infection usually resolves itself
Treatment: Migraine medication, painkillers, rest
Tips for prevention: Avoiding or reducing known
within 2 weeks
Tips for prevention: Vaccination
triggers, taking preventative medications
Sexually transmitted Urinary tract infections
infections (STIs) (UTIs)
A variety of bacterial, parasitic, and Bacterial infection of the bladder,
Complications: Fertility issues, skin problems,
viral infections called cystitis
neurological damage recurrent UTIs
Complications: Kidney damage with
Causes: Bacteria, viruses, parasites Causes: Bacterial infection
Symptoms: Sometimes none; sometimes changes to
menstrual bleeding, genital discharge, itching, rashes,
urinary and bowel problems Tips for prevention: Staying hydrated, females should
Symptoms: Blood in urine, painful and/or frequent
urination, smelly urine
Diagnosis: Blood tests, genital swabs, urine tests
Treatment: Dependent on infection; antibiotic, antiviral,
Diagnosis: Urine sample
or antiparasitic medication, currently no cure for HIV but
Treatment: Antibiotics, fluids, rest
medication can help a person live a healthy, long life
Tips for prevention: Regular STI checks, ask sexual
wipe from front to back after going to the toilet
partners if they’ve had an STI check, practise safer sex

GOOD T O KNO W
Vaccinations Recommended vaccinations
Infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses are called
pathogens. Vaccinations help the human body fight infections A number of vaccinations and booster jabs need to be given to
by exposing it to a harmless version of a particular pathogen. teens between the ages of 11 and 18. It’s important for every
This triggers the immune system to produce the antibodies teen to have a record of the jabs that they’ve received, and to
needed to fight that pathogen should it be encountered in the keep it updated. Booster jabs are just as important as the initial
future. Vaccination programmes help to prevent and reduce immunization and should be administered at the right time to
infection from many deadly diseases. maintain immunity.

078-079_Teen_ailments.indd 79 24/03/2017 17:16