Young children are exposed to many germs and have not yet built up defences against them. This is why your child can sometimes be sick. Most young children will have eight to ten colds a year because they still have an immature immune system. They are encountering all the viruses, bacteria, and other antigens in the world for the first time. You do not have to worry much though, because the good news is, most of these infections are mild and don’t last very long. As children grow, they develop strong immunity and get sick less often.
As a precaution, you must also be careful not to spread diseases to your children. An adult can spread germs to kids directly or indirectly without even realizing it. Germs can spread through direct contact, indirect contact, droplets transmission, or even airborne.
Here are the common illnesses experienced during childhood, the symptoms, and how they spread:
- Bronchiolitis
This is a respiratory infection that usually affects babies under one year old. Its symptoms are coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, and fever.
This can be spread through direct or indirect contact, droplets transmission, or could be airborne.
Parents should offer extra fluids and encourage plenty of rest for their kids. They could also give ibuprofen for the fever.
- Common cold
This respiratory infection has symptoms of a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, decreased appetite, headache, and sometimes a fever.
Like bronchiolitis, this can be contracted through direct or indirect contact.
Parents could gently clear nasal congestion with a rubber suction bulb and saline (saltwater) nose drops.
- Croup
This is another respiratory infection with the symptoms of fever, cold symptoms, hoarse voice, rapid noisy breathing and difficulty in breathing.
Croup is also spread through droplets transmission or the air.
Croup can be treated at home by taking children into the cool night air. If your child’s symptoms do not improve, it is best to call your doctor.
- Influenza
Chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, fever and a loss of appetite are symptoms of this illness. The disease spreads like how cough is spread – through the air or through droplet transmission.
Influenza can be prevented with a vaccine. Antiviral medication may be prescribed for healthy people with severe influenza or for very young children.
- Strep throat and scarlet fever
Fever, sore throat, swollen tender neck glands are the common symptoms of these illnesses. For scarlet fever, red, dry rashes may also appear all over the body. This infection could be spread through direct contact and droplets transmission.
- Chicken pox (Vacirella)
Chickenpox (Varicella) is a primary infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus and is considered to be self-limiting in otherwise healthy children. The severity of varicella can vary. Some cases may be mild with just a few red sores. Others are more severe with the presence of fever and rashes all over the body. This can be spread through direct contact with a person infected by it. This is also very contagious.
- Measles (Roseola)
This is usually a benign, self-limited viral illness. Usually occurs in babies under one year old, but can be seen in children up to two years old. Symptoms include high fever for three to five days and small rashes that appear all over the body.
- Impetigo
Impetigo is when there are fluid-filled blisters usually around the mouth or nose, but also may occur elsewhere in a child. These blisters break, ooze, and form a honey-coloured crust. This is a bacterial infection so you should see a doctor if your child has it.
- Pinkeye (conjunctivitis)
Scratchy or itchy and painful red eyes are a common symptom of this illness. This is very contagious. The child infected with this should keep his/her eyes clean and see a doctor for treatment.
- Stomach flu
The symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, and stomach cramps. If your child is vomiting, give clear fluids only until your child has gone six hours without releasing vomit. As much as possible, give your child an oral rehydration solution since it is one of the best clear fluids that you can give him or her.
Seek medical help if there is blood in your child’s stool or if he/she shows any sign of dehydration.
There are also actually ways to lessen the risks of your child catching such illnesses. To prevent the spread of germs, frequently wash your hands and your child’s hands. Clean your hands after coughing, sneezing, using the toilet, and handling pets or animals.
As parents, it is recommended that you teach your children proper handwashing early on. If your child has a cough or cold, cover his or her mouth. When he or she is old enough, teach the child to properly cover his or her mouth. Also, make sure your child has received recommended vaccines.
If your child is sick and is really not getting better, it is best to seek medical help from your doctor or visit a virtual walk-in clinic in Guelph to get treated.