Children learn by looking and touching on things. They are curious creatures and they love grabbing and touching things that are new to their eyes. We sometimes forget that because of this, our kids can get sick.
One of the most common illnesses a child may get is the common cold. Common cold is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Oftentimes, it is spread by direct hand-to-hand contact with infected secretions or by contact with contaminated surfaces. Treating colds caused by a virus with antibiotics would not work nor alter the course of viral infection. Antibiotics may kill beneficial bacteria inside the body and may even cause antibiotic-resistant bacteria to develop. The common cure for common cold is to let the illness stake its course. You can help the body recover fast by taking a lot of rest, drinking lots of fluids and taking a lot of Vitamin C. Decongestants can also be given to children to alleviate the nasal symptoms of colds.
Another illness common to children brought about by direct contact with the contaminants or through air is measles. Early stage symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose and white spots inside the cheeks. After a few days, itchy rashes will appear starting at the forehead or neck down to the entire body. There is no cure available for measles and only support treatment can be given to the patient. It is best to keep the child inside a well-ventilated room. A child with measles may also feel sensitive to the light, thus, you should keep the light of the room dimmed. Orange juice is also a good thirst-quenching drink for kids with measles. Measles can be prevented by having the child immunized with MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) when he orshe is still 12 to 15 months old. A child with measles will feel well after seven days, however, if the sickness continues, take the child to a physician to avoid complications brought by the disease.
Chickenpox caused by varicella-zoster virus can also be acquired by the cough or sneeze of an infected person or direct contact with the fluid of the chickenpox blister. At the early stage of infection, the child may experience fever, headache and sore throat. One to two days after the first symptoms, rash and blisters will develop all over the body of the child. The same with measles, there is also no recorded cure for chickenpox. It is said that the illness will just fade away. Home treatment can be done like oatmeal bath to subdue the itchiness.
Most children also suffer from tonsillitis that is often caused by a bacteria or a virus. Its primary symptoms are fever and swollen tonsils. Sometimes, white or yellow pus can also be seen on the tonsils. Children suffering from tonsillitis are most likely to lose appetite because of the pain they experience while swallowing. Tonsillitis caused by a virus will disappear on its own, but if tonsillitis is caused by bacteria, taking antibiotics is recommended. Kids can also be asked to gargle with warm water and salt to minimize the pain of swollen tonsils.
Knowing what are the common diseases among children, its causes, its symptoms, and how it can be treated helps on how you will address to your child’s needs while he or she is sick.
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