Most Common Illnesses And Infections In Children

May 27, 2023

Children are typically much more susceptible to illnesses and infections than healthy adults. For the first six months of a child's life, they are protected to a certain extent by the biological immunity passed down from their mother. At around six months of age, it is common for children to start getting more frequent colds and other ailments. A child's immune system is not fully developed, and children are exposed to a significant amount of viruses and bacteria at daycare and school. In addition, children frequently put their hands in their mouths, and they are often unable to practice healthy hand washing habits. This combination can allow dangerous viruses and bacteria to enter the body and cause illness. Many childhood illnesses can be diagnosed with a physical exam alone, and blood tests may sometimes be needed.

Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral condition that most often develops due to a coxsackievirus. Symptoms usually begin within three to six days of infection, and a fever is normally the first symptom. Patients may also develop a sore throat, and a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet is common. Although the rash does not generally itch, it may cause discomfort and blistering. Painful sores on the inside of the mouth are frequently present, and some children with this condition may be irritable and experience a loss of appetite. This ailment usually resolves on its own within ten days, and there is no specific treatment for it. Doctors recommend using a topical numbing gel to relieve the pain from mouth sores, and acetaminophen is recommended for relieving generalized discomfort.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a highly contagious infection caused by a virus known as varicella-zoster. Children younger than two years old are at an especially high risk of chickenpox, and a vaccine is available that can prevent this condition. Patients with this ailment develop symptoms within ten to twenty-one days of infection. In the early stages of this condition, the patient might experience a fever, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and a loss of appetite. After one or two days, an itchy, raised rash will normally develop over large areas of the body. Some patients may have as many as five hundred raised bumps. The spots turn into blisters, and these begin to leak after a day or so.

At this time, the rash will form scabs, and new spots may also appear. While many cases of chickenpox are mild and resolve on their own, patients are considered contagious until the entire rash has formed scabs. Medical treatment should be sought if a patient with this condition develops a fever of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit and if they experience dizziness, vomiting, shortness of breath, or loss of muscle control. These may be signs of serious complications.

Croup

Croup is frequently caused by the parainfluenza virus, and children between six months to three years old are at an increased risk of this condition. Patients with this ailment typically develop a hoarse voice, and their breathing is often labored and noisy. The most recognizable symptom associated with croup is an especially loud cough that may resemble a bark. Some children with croup may have a fever, and the symptoms of this illness are generally worse during the night.

Most cases of croup will resolve with home treatment for three to five days. Rest, adequate fluids, acetaminophen, and cool, moist air are all helpful in recovery. For moderate and severe cases, doctors may prescribe glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, or epinephrine to reduce inflammation of the airways. Hospitalization may be required in serious cases, and medical attention should be obtained if the patient is having breathing difficulties or makes high-pitched sounds when breathing in and out.

Roseola

Roseola is a viral infection caused by types six and seven of the human herpesvirus. The condition occurs most frequently in children between six months and two years old. At first, patients with roseola have symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, and they then develop a high fever that may continue for up to seven days. In some cases, the fever may be between 103 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, and irritability are commonly observed during this stage. Generally, the fever will end suddenly, and this is followed by the formation of a rash. Starting on the torso, the rash can spread to the face, neck, and limbs. It may be flat or raised, and the individual spots typically turn white when pressed.

Treatment for roseola focuses on reducing the high fever associated with this illness, and doctors recommend that parents administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen at home. Parents should also provide ice chips and plenty of water and clear fluids to prevent dehydration. Prompt medical attention should be provided for children with roseola who are lethargic or cannot drink. Between ten to fifteen percent of children with this illness may have a febrile seizure, and this requires emergency medical care.

Vaccine Preventable: Measles And Mumps

Measles and mumps, which are vaccine preventable, are two illnesses that can produce serious complications. Symptoms of measles include a pinpoint rash that typically begins on the face and spreads across the body. Patients may also have a fever, conjunctivitis, cough, and runny nose. In severe cases, measles can lead to pneumonia, and older children who contract measles may develop swelling of the brain that can lead to seizures.

One of the major symptoms of mumps is swelling of the glands located below the ears. Mumps can cause meningitis and significant hearing loss, and it may also cause infertility in men. Measles and mumps can be prevented with two doses of a vaccine, and most states require children to receive these doses before they can start elementary school.

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