Our little ones are susceptible to all sorts of bugs and illnesses. It is never nice to see your child feeling under the weather, but it is part and parcel of growing up. The good news is that most sicknesses can be easily treated and will actually help your child’s immune system development.
In this post, we will take a closer look at five common childhood illnesses and what to do if your little one starts to show symptoms. You are highly likely to come across these five common illnesses in children at some point in your kid’s childhood.
Common Cold
Kids of all ages will suffer from the sniffles at some point. In fact, they generally catch colds much more often than adults, so expect your little ones to have up to six bouts a year. The reason for this is that kids love sharing, and schools are notorious breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses.
The symptoms include a runny nose, mild fever, cough, sneezing, and a sore throat. Generally, the symptoms get better after a couple of days of rest. Make sure that you keep your little one hydrated and maybe add a vitamin C supplement. You can avoid the spread of certain germs by encouraging your child to cover his or her mouth when sneezing and coughing and to wash their hands regularly.
Ear Infections
Ear infections can really put your little one in a bad mood, as they can be quite painful. They usually come on after a cold but can also happen if fluid gets trapped behind the eardrum.
The symptoms generally clear up by themselves after a few days. However, if you notice that your kiddie’s symptoms start to get worse, then it is a good idea to get them checked out.
Tummy Bugs
As your child’s immune system is continuously developing, your child will probably struggle when they get exposed to new bacteria and viruses. This is why babies and children can be particularly sensitive to tummy bugs. Noroviruses are very common among kids and can quickly spread.
If your little one complains of a tummy ache that is then accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, then they likely have a virus. It’s essential to keep them well-hydrated and to avoid oily foods. These viruses usually clear up by themselves after a few days of rest, but you should seek medical assistance if their symptoms get worse.
Strep Throat
This bacterial infection can be very painful and is highly contagious. Many parents confuse the symptoms of strep throat with a cold, so it is important to learn about the telltale signs of this illness. Strep throat will usually cause red spots in the mouth as well as swollen tonsils and lymph nodes in the neck. If your child has a fever and pain when swallowing, then they probably have strep throat.
You should get them checked out by your doctor, who will prescribe a course of antibiotics to help clear up the infection.
Pink Eye
Pink eye is a very contagious condition that is common among children, especially younger ones. It can often occur after a cold or due to coming in contact with someone who has pink eye. However, in some cases, it might be a symptom of an allergy such as hay fever.
If your child has symptoms of pink eye, make sure that they have their own towel and make sure they wash their hands after touching their eyes. Your doctor will usually prescribe eye drops to help, but you can also use cold and warm compresses to help with the discomfort.
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