HIV and General Health Guidelines for preschool teachers in townships in South Africa

2. You are not legally allowed to
insist on knowing the status of
a child.
 Unless the mother has told
you the status of her child,
you do not know which child
is HIV+ so treat all children
carefully.

3. It is important for all
children but especially
those with HIV to go the
doctor or clinic with health
problems as soon as
possible

4. You cannot lose your
job because you are
HIV positive only if you
become too sick to
work

5.  You need to know your status
so that you can be extra
careful with the children and
also
So you can get the help
you need.

6. It is very important to
keep an eye on each
child’s health.
Look out for signs of the
child not putting on
weight or being sick
often.

7.  Look out for mouth sores.
 The child may not be able to eat
because the mouth is full
of sores.
If you notice these things
suggest
the parent take the child to the
Clinic.

8. Ongoing cough for
more than two weeks
 chest pain
night sweats and
 weight loss.

9. Remember that TB
is infectious and
could spread to
other children.

10. To keep the immune
system strong you
need
Vegetables, fruits,
meat or samp, beans.
Milk when possible.

12. Do simple exercises eg
running on the spot,
jumping up and down.
Do not keep them inside a
shack all day!!!

16. Do not touch blood –
wear gloves if possible
Cover cuts
Be careful cleaning up
blood

17. Be careful changing
nappies – best to wear
gloves.
Be careful about
disposing of nappies –
put inside a bag.

18. Diarrhoea can kill small
children!
Diarrhoea can be because
of the child’s medication
But most likely it is because
of unclean food or water.

19.  Dehydration – child loses a lot of
water.
 This can be very dangerous
especially in small children.
 It is important to give the child a
lot of liquid
 (at least half a cup of water after
each loose stool)

20. Do not give the child high
fibre food like brown
bread
Give the child mealie
meal or white rice or
mashed potatoes.

21.  Make a special drink for them to
help stop dehydration
 1 litre (4or 5 big cups) boiled
water (make sure you cool it down
before giving to child)
 With 8 teaspoons of sugar
 And half a teaspoon of salt.
 This can save a child’s life

23. If the diarrhoea continues
for more than 24 hours
take the child to the
clinic or even sooner if
the child becomes very
dehydrated

24. Go to the doctor if child:
Is very thirsty
Has a fever
Cannot eat or drink
properly
Does not seem to be
getting better

25.  Passes many watery stools
 Has blood in stools
 Is vomiting and cannot keep
fluids down
 Is irritable, confused or
lethargic
 Has very dry skin.

26.  As much as possible keep the
children’s areas free of dirt and
dangerous things.

28.  Thank you for keeping the
children happy and healthy