Dr Golly's guide to family illness by Dr. Daniel Golshevsky (Dr Golly)

A quick glance at the Contents pages of Dr Golly's Guide to Family Illness will convince any reader that this book would be an excellent reference to have on hand for any family. It clearly describes what to do when a child is sick and how to tell if it’s an emergency. It gives a toolbox for managing illness and then goes through common symptoms of things like fever, vomit, poo, coughing, rashes and skin infections. There is a section on feeling better and staying well that includes pain and medication, immunisation and hygiene. The Childhood Bingo! section contains information about many of the things that children may bring home from daycare and school. Readers will find information on the common cold and other upper respiratory illnesses, viruses with rashes, skin infections, ear infection, head lice and common medical issues for older kids like headaches, bedwetting, snoring and acne. The sections give a comprehensive description of the symptoms of each of the medical conditions, ways to prevent and treat and when to seek medical advice. For example, under gross things, head lice, a common childhood complaint, is explored in detail, giving ways to recognising it, when to check for medical help, how to check for nits, treatment and management at home and myths and facts about headlice. Instead of an index there is a Quick reference at the back of the book listing common complaints in alphabetical order, childcare and school exclusion cases and page number references. This is followed by a handy quick reference with pictures of different rashes including hand, foot and mouth disease, nappy rash and school sores and page references for information. Finally there is a positive message to parents about using the medical system when necessary and always trusting their instincts.

Dr Golly's Guide to Family Illness is a positive, user-friendly handbook that would reassure parents and caregivers about different childhood ills and give accessible advice in treating them at home and when to seek medical advice.

Themes: Refernce, Childhood illnesses.

Pat Pledger