Common Childhood Illnesses: Symptoms and When to Seek Help

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Common Childhood Illnesses: Symptoms and When to Seek Help
October 25, 2024 by admin

Many disorders affect children, especially when they are young, since their developing immunological systems are not that robust yet. Most prevalent childhood diseases can be treated with home care, but some require medical intervention. It will guide you on the various common childhood diseases, understand at what times one should seek medical intervention, and keep your child healthful and safe.

1. Common Cold

Symptoms:

Common cold is the most common childhood sickness; it may be caused by any of the hundreds of viruses. It can present with a runny and stuffy nose, sore throat, mild cough, and low-grade fever. Sneezing, watery eyes, and mild body ache may accompany these symptoms.

Call your doctor if

Most of the colds resolve themselves within a week or two. But if your child runs a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, has difficulty in breathing, or if the symptoms continue over 10 days then you need to see the pediatrician. Be extra cautious when your child is less than 3 months of age and he is having a fever. This may be serious.  If you’re in Chennai, consult the best pediatricians in Chennai for expert advice.

2. Ear Infections

Symptoms:

Ear infections are commonly seen in toddlers and often develop after a child has a cold. Distinguishing characteristics include ear pain, tugging on the ear, sleep disturbance, irritability, fever, and fluid draining from the ear. Ear infections can cause temporary loss of hearing when fluid accumulates behind the eardrum.

When to Call Your Pediatrician

If your child has severe pain, a fever over 102, or symptoms for more than a few days, bring him or her to the doctor. Chronic ear infections or fluid build-up may require additional treatment, like antibiotics, or ear tubes. You can seek treatment at the best pediatric hospital in Chennai for ongoing care.

3. Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)

Symptoms:

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically caused by some viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. Children also become dehydrated if the vomiting and diarrhea persist.

When to Seek Medical Care

Call a healthcare provider if your child becomes dehydrated. Dehydration can be dehydrated mouth, not tears when crying or less urine. For diarrhea and vomiting that lasts more than three days, or diarrhea or stomach flu with blood in stool, see a healthcare provider. For parents living in Chrompet, visiting a pediatrician Chrompet can ensure timely treatment.

4. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Symptoms:

This is a viral illness common in children less than 5 years of age, with signs of this illness including fever, sore throat, and rash on palms of hand and soles of foot and in mouth. The rash can cause painful ulcers in the mouth, and these ulcers may make it painful for your child to feed or drink.

When to Seek Help:

Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually resolve within 7-10 days. However, if your child can’t even drink fluids due to sore mouths, or if symptoms worsen or do not improve, seek medical care.

5. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Symptoms:

RSV is a respiratory virus that targets the lungs and airways. In older children, it manifests itself in cold-like symptoms; however, among infants and young children, it develops into more severe circumstances like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. It includes coughing, wheezing, rapid breathing, and fever.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If your child is having difficulty breathing or wheezing, or his or her condition is showing signs of dehydration, then seek immediate medical help. Except for this, premature babies and children with low immunity or heart and lung conditions are more susceptible to severe RSV infection.

It is also important for parents to know what some of the major childhood illnesses are, and at what point you would need to go to a health provider. Most of these diseases can be treated with rest, fluids, and a few over-the-counter medications. You may need to call a healthcare provider if you are unsure about what your child is going through.