Common Childhood Illnesses and How to Manage Them

Children are prone to a variety of illnesses due to their developing immune systems. While most childhood illnesses are mild and manageable, some require medical attention. As parents, understanding these common ailments and their management can help ensure your child’s well-being. At Sugam Hospital, we are committed to guiding parents in effectively managing these conditions.

Common Childhood Illness

Sore throat

A sore throat is an illness that hurts and irritates the throat, frequently making it feel scratchy. Children often suffer from it, and the symptoms frequently get worse while eating or drinking. It can be caused by many pathogenic viruses and bacteria. The group A streptococcus, which causes strep throat, is extremely infectious and spreads through contact with infected people or respiratory droplets.If your child is experiencing a persistent sore throat, seeking medical attention at our best pediatric hospital in Chennai can ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

The typical signs of a sore throat include:

• Pain
• Rough or itchy throat
• Swallowing issues
• Voice changes
• Fever 
• Cough
• Clogged nose
• Sneezing
• Vomiting

Skin Infections

Children frequently develop skin infections, which can affect any region of the body. It can be caused by bacterial, fungal, viral, or allergic triggers. Paediatric dermatologists may examine the skin illness and may request a skin sample or skin culture to determine the exact cause. These can manifest as:

• Itchy, reddish skin
• Painful rashes
• Skin inflammation
• Fever 
• Rashes
• Skin eruptions and rashes (elevated bumps) 

Depending on the source of skin infection and the severity of the illness, several treatments may be available. Several kinds of topical or oral antifungals, antibiotics, or antivirals are recommended for children. The majority of kids respond favorably to the therapy, and the skin lesions may disappear in a few weeks. 

Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)

An infection of the intestines is characterized by fever, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. Typically, the spread of stomach flu occurs through contact with an infected person, tainted food, or polluted water. This can be seen as:

• Usually bloodless and watery diarrhoea
• Vomiting, nausea, or both Stomach ache and cramps
• Occasional headaches or muscular pains
• A minor fever

Doctors typically advise patients to drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, eat non-spicy foods, and avoid certain foods. In some cases, the doctors also prescribe anti-diarrheal medications.

Common cold

A common cold is an illness of the upper respiratory tract caused by different viruses. Although a variety of viruses may cause colds, rhinoviruses are the most frequent pathogens. A runny nose is one of the typical cold symptoms. Other than that, symptoms include

• Congested nose
• Cough
• Minor fever
• Muscle pain
• Streaming eyes

Within 10 days, cold symptoms can limit themselves. During colds, doctors may advise using humidifiers, asking the child to drink water, and getting adequate rest. Some kids could be treated for symptoms. 

Ear ache

Ear pain is common in children and can be caused by a variety of conditions, including swimmer’s ear (infection of the skin in the ear canal), ear infections (otitis media), sinus or cold pressure, toothache that radiates up the jaw to the ear, and others.

Your physician might determine that an antibiotic is the best course of action only if your kid’s ear pain is severe, affects both ears, is followed by a high temperature, or your child exhibits other symptoms of sickness.

True ear infections are generally triggered by viral infections and therefore do not require antibiotic treatment. Your physician will discuss with you the best methods to treat your child’s ear pain while they wait for it to limit itself.

Why choose Sugam Hospital?

• 24/7 Emergency care for conditions like respiratory distress,seizures,and dehydration.
• Pediatric specialists & Neonatal care for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment
• Advanced Diagnostic Facilities including blood tests,imaging and infection screening
• Vaccination & Preventive care programs for protecting against serious diseases

Most childhood illnesses are mild and resolve on their own with proper care. However,knowing the symptoms and management strategies can help parents provide timely relief and prevent complications. Always consult a pediatrician for persistent or severe symptoms to ensure your child’s health and well-being.