A baby is born with very little immunity that they derive from their mother throughout the pregnancy and during the birth. This immunity is temporary and is there to protect them until their immune system develops through exposure and vaccination. So, children are more prone to infections and illnesses when compared to adults. They will also take a longer time to recover, as their immune systems are not strong enough to fight the infections quickly.
One of the first steps in developing a child’s immunity is through immunisations. The next step is to prevent such infections to the best of your ability. To prevent them, you should know what the most common illnesses in children are.
Here are the top 10 illnesses that affect children at various times during their childhood –
Your child is bound to be infected by the viral upper respiratory infection multiple times a year, especially once they start going to school or even play school. The common cold infects the nose, sinuses, throat, and windpipe. While there is no cure for the common cold, which can be caused by more than 200 different strains of virus, it will subside on its own within a week or 10 days.
The common cold can spread easily among young children when they are in close quarters. They are in proximity to their classmates and peers in classrooms, at playdates, at mealtimes, and elsewhere. During cold or rainy days, they spend more time with their peers, indoors, where ventilation is also limited. This can lead to an increase in common cold episodes.
While you cannot stop your child from going to school, you can teach them to stay away from friends who are infected, never share their bottles or cutlery with friends, and always cover their mouth and nose when they sneeze or cough. Teach them to wash their hands well with soap and water and to never touch their food without first washing their hands.
Stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is a common infection among children. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps. Infected children should refrain from eating foods with excessive salt, spices, or flavour. As the child recovers, you can slowly reintroduce various food items one by one. Avoid fatty foods for a while, as they take more time for digestion.
For breastfed and formula-fed infants, continue feeding in smaller, more frequent amounts. This will also help in keeping them hydrated.
Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly after playing and before touching food. Prevent eating from unhygienic places and sharing utensils. Disinfect surfaces contaminated by vomit or diarrhoea.
Flu, more commonly known as the seasonal flu, is highly contagious among children. In most cases, the flu infection does not last more than a week. It causes symptoms such as high fever, body aches, cough, fatigue, and, in severe cases, vomiting or diarrhoea. Most children will recover on their own within a week or may need mild medications. In some severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, which will require hospitalisation and treatment.
The most effective and easiest way to keep your child safe from a flu infection is through vaccination. A yearly flu vaccine for children over 6 months of age can provide them with additional immunity from the flu. Though the vaccine cannot completely prevent an infection at all times, it can reduce the impact and severe outcome of the infection.
Ear infections can be very uncomfortable for children. Common symptoms include fussiness and tugging at the ears. Rubbing the ears or complaining of pain in the ears. Some children may have hearing difficulties, and severe infections can also cause ear discharge.
In most cases, ear infections in children are a complication of the common cold. As their Eustachian tubes are very small and horizontal, young children are more prone to such infections when they have a severe cold. Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter ear pain medications along with medications to treat the cold.
To prevent such ear infections, ensure your child’s vaccinations are up to date. If they have a severe cold, ask your doctor and use nasal sprays to prevent or reduce congestion in their Eustachian tubes. Keep their ears clean after a bath or a swim. For babies using a feeding bottle, always feed them in an upright position, as lying down and drinking can increase the risk of ear infection.
Unlike a sore throat, strep throat is caused by the bacterium Group A Streptococcus and requires treatment. Strep throat can cause severe inflammation of the throat along with a sore throat. Doctors can confirm infection only through a rapid strep test.
A strep throat will not resolve on its own and requires antibiotics. It can spread from one infected child to another very easily if they are in close quarters.
Bacteria spread via respiratory droplets when a child coughs or sneezes. Teach your child good hygiene practices like washing their hands with soap and water before touching food, after coming home from outside, etc. Advise them to stay away from other children and adults who may have an infection. Watch out for symptoms and consult a doctor without any delay.
A urinary Tract Infection is very common among young children, especially after they start going to school. It is caused by bacteria and requires antibiotics for effective treatment. Symptoms include fever, a burning sensation when urinating, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, frequent or urgent urination, and wetting accidents in fully potty-trained children.
Drinking plenty of fluids, frequent urination, and following good hygiene practices, especially when and after using the toilet, can help prevent UTIs effectively. Change your baby’s diaper regularly, as letting them sit in a soiled or wet diaper for long will also increase the risk of infection.
HFM is one of the most common infections that spreads very easily among children when they start going to playgroups or school. It is caused by a virus, highly contagious but a mild infection that requires plenty of rest and some mild antibiotics as treatment. HFM symptoms include a fever, painful mouth sores, and small blisters on hands and feet.
Teach your children to wash their hands well with soap and water after using the toilet and before touching their food. In case of an infection or noticeable symptoms among children in their class or playgroup, avoiding exposure to the infected children is the best way to prevent infection. Advise children against sharing their cutlery and bottles with other children.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that can spread easily among children and adults. It can even spread to children from infected adults through close contact. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, and a widespread, distinct red rash with small, pimple-like red bumps or blisters.
The most effective way to prevent chickenpox in children is through vaccinations. Consult your doctor and ensure your child does not miss their chickenpox vaccination, which is usually given in two doses.
Conjunctivitis, also known as the pink eye, is common among children and adults. It is an inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye, and can be classified as newborn conjunctivitis or childhood conjunctivitis.
Conjunctivitis is very common and highly contagious among children of the school going age. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or even allergies. While viral conjunctivitis may not require any medications, allergies can be controlled with eye drops, and bacterial conjunctivitis will require a course of antibiotics.
Following basic hygiene practices and avoiding sharing personal items such as handkerchiefs and towels can prevent the transmission of infection. Teach children to cover their mouths when coughing and to avoid touching their eyes frequently.
Croup is another common respiratory illness among children below 6 years of age. It causes swelling of the voice box and windpipe, resulting in a barking cough, noisy breathing, and a hoarse voice. Most cases are mild and will resolve on their own with some rest and home remedies. Severe infections will require medications and monitoring. In rare cases, where the child has breathing difficulty or is unable to swallow, hospitalisation may be required.
Good hygiene practices like washing hands with soap and water frequently, avoiding sharing personal items, and contact with other infected children can reduce the risk of Croup infection. Ensure your child is up to date on their vaccinations, like diphtheria and Hib
Illnesses in childhood are plenty and easily contagious owing to the weak immune systems in children. Practising good hygiene, staying away from contagious environments, and eating healthy foods to improve immunity can help children recover faster and also reduce the impact of infections. Immunisation plays a big role in keeping children safe from serious illnesses.
The most common illnesses that affect children are the common cold, ear infections, stomach flu, HFM disease, strep throat, and UTIs. Conjunctivitis, chickenpox, croup, and flu are common among children of school-going age.
Ensure their immunisations are up to date. Teach them hygiene practices like washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water, staying away from infected people, covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding touching surfaces unnecessarily. Focus on their diet and include foods from all food groups to ensure adequate nutrition for a healthy immune system.
If your child is less than 3 or 4 years old, you need to consult your doctor anytime your child is sick, irrespective of how mild or serious the condition is. It is not advisable to self-medicate for infants. For older children, if the symptoms persist and seem to get worse or if the infection is affecting the child’s routine and quality of life, you need to consult a doctor and treat the infection before it worsens further.
No, not all illnesses are contagious, but most viral and bacterial infections are. The main reason is the weak immunity. Young children’s immune systems are not strong enough to fight infections effectively, resulting in frequent infections and medical assistance.
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