Common Child Diseases and Their Symptoms Every Parent Should Know
Childhood is a wonderful yet fragile stage in the life of a person. As a child develops, their immune system also develops, and therefore it becomes difficult for them to fight any infection or disease compared to an adult. Any parent would always be afraid of seeing their child ill, but knowing the common child diseases and the signs that show the onset of such diseases would help greatly in treating the problem. At Aastha Hospital, one of the best multispeciality hospitals in Siliguri, we often treat children who suffer from these diseases.
In this blog post, we will discuss the common diseases affecting children.
Why Are Children More Prone to Illness?
Kids, particularly the littler ones who haven’t turned five yet, have immune systems that are in the process of developing the ability to fight off germs and viruses. Considering their contact with other kids in kindergarten or daycare, habit of putting their fingers in their mouths, and their relative naiveté in terms of sanitary knowledge, it comes as no surprise that childhood illnesses are common. Many of these diseases can be treated at home, and some of them might need proper medical care to avoid any potential risks.
Common Childhood Diseases and Their Symptoms
Common childhood illnesses can range from mild infections to conditions that require medical attention, so recognizing their early symptoms is important for every parent.
1. Cold and Influenza
Children are most commonly affected by cold or influenza viruses, which are easily spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms are:
- The flow of the nose or blockage
- Sneezing and coughing
- A slight rise in temperature
- Sore throat
- Tiredness and irritability
In most cases, colds disappear in 7 to 10 days as long as adequate rest, liquids, and warmth are provided. However, if the fever lasts more than 3 days or it becomes difficult to breathe, a pediatrician must be consulted immediately.
2. Chicken Pox
Chickenpox is a contagious viral infection caused by varicella-zoster virus. It occurs frequently in children who aren’t vaccinated and spreads quickly in schools and playgroups.
Symptoms are:
- Itchy and blistering rash covering the body
- Fever and tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
Keeping the child isolated and practicing good hygiene and using a calamine lotion are recommended. Chickenpox typically resolves within 10 days but more attention is required in the cases of vulnerable children.
3. Measles
Measles is an infectious disease that spreads through respiratory droplets. The introduction of vaccination has controlled outbreaks in vaccinated populations, but it still occurs when no vaccination is applied.
Symptoms are:
- high fever
- red, marbled skin rash
- runny nose
- cough
- red eyes
The best method to prevent measles among children is vaccination, specifically using the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)
4. Ear Infections
Ear infections are very common in babies and small children after having a cold or an infection. In babies and children, the Eustachian tube is shorter and more horizontal than in adults, which leads to a higher chance of fluid accumulation and infection developing.
Symptoms are:
- pain in the affected ear
- irritability and crying
- difficulty sleeping
- mild fever
- loss of appetite
Although mild ear infections can go away on their own, having pain and/or fever for a while after getting sick needs to be examined to avoid complications like hearing loss.
5. Asthma and Respiratory Issues
Respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, have become widespread among youngsters owing to environmental exposure, allergens, and heredity factors.
Symptoms are:
- Wheezing or whistling phenomenon when inhaling air
- Chronic coughing, especially during nighttime
- Difficulty or irregular breathing
- Constriction of the chest
- Experiencing exhaustion during exercise
The timely diagnosis of asthma and its corresponding treatment method will allow children to live a healthy life and avoid taking medications too often.
6. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
The illness is a viral type of infection that is particularly widespread among children younger than five years old, especially in day-care and educational establishments.
Symptoms are:
- Ulcerations of the mouth
- Rashes on the hands and feet
- Temperature rise
- Sore throat
- Feeling cranky
In most cases, the disease is not serious and completes in seven days, however, sufficiency in drinking liquids and taking painkillers during recovery is vital.
7. Viral Fever
When looking at childhood illnesses, it is vital to understand viral fevers. These fevers can occur because viruses are transferred from one child to another due to change in seasons.
Symptoms are:
- Rising temperature;
- Body aches;
- Weakness;
- Headaches;
- Loss of appetite
Children will recover with proper medication (as prescribed by the doctor) in a few days.
When to Consult the Doctor?
Though children may have illnesses which may be treated at home with proper nursing and precautions, certain signs signal the need for medical help:
- High fever not responding to medications
- Trouble breathing or persistent cough;
- Signs of dehydration like dry mouth, lack of tears, scanty urine;
- Unusual drowsiness;
- Unusually fast rashes
- Refusal to eat or drink
Preventive Suggestions for Parents
Prevention is always better than cure. Some of the good habits which can prevent common diseases of kids are as follows:
- Make sure that your children get vaccinated on time using the immunization chart.
- Teach good practices of hand washing to protect your kids from infections due to germs.
- Maintain a nutritious diet rich in vegetables and fruits to supply vitamins and minerals.
- Maintain a proper sleeping schedule as sleeping aids in boosting the immune system.
- Make sure your kids remain hydrated, particularly when they are sick or in the summer.
- Avoid contact with those who have some kind of infection.
- Go for regular check-ups for your child’s growth and protection from diseases.
How Aastha Hospital Supports Child Health
At Aastha Hospital, we understand the stress that a parent goes through if their child is ill. We have an experienced pediatric team which provides expertise and compassionate treatment for all the common diseases in children with the help of diagnostic facilities.
We offer multispeciality care for all kinds of pediatric cases including vaccinations.
Conclusion
Having information on common illnesses and their symptoms among children allows the parents to know how to handle their child when he/she is ill. Although most of these illnesses can be handled effectively by the right care from home, the need for seeking expert help should not be ignored.
In case your child has any signs of illness, or if you would just like a routine check-up, then visit Aastha Hospital for all your needs. Book an appointment with our expert pediatricians now.