As a parent, one of the most worrying and often upsetting things that will happen to you is when your child feels unwell. Depending on how old they are, it can be difficult for a young child to explain symptoms and tell you exactly what’s wrong. That’s why you must make sure you know the most common children’s illnesses that are likely to affect children to make a judgment as to whether or not you need to seek professional help and advice.
Of course, ongoing medical conditions or allergies will need long-term care and specialized treatments and actions. However, there are many other situations where a little knowledge makes what could otherwise be a worrisome event much easier to deal with.
Even when you have armed yourself with a working knowledge of the most common children’s illnesses that your children might encounter, if you are ever in any doubt, you should always seek professional medical advice. Today this is easier than ever as you can make the most of an Online Doctor without the need to take an unwell child to a medical practitioner’s office or surgery.
A sore throat
As anyone who has had a nasty sore throat can agree, it can be a painful thing to have to endure. There are many causes of the problem, and the big difference in treatment is whether it has been brought on by a bacterial or viral infection.
A sore throat that results from a virus doesn’t benefit from antibiotics, and the only thing that can be done is to treat the symptoms and wait for the body to get rid of the infection itself. If your child isn’t fully recovered after seven to ten days, you should consult a doctor.
A streptococcal bacterial infection is commonly known as strep throat, and this can be quickly and easily diagnosed by simply having a good look at the young patient. White dots or patches in the back of the throat are the telltale sign, and this can be confirmed by a lab test with a quick swab taken from the throat.
Antibiotics are prescribed to ease symptoms and get rid of the infection, which can be caught from other infected children through coughs and sneezes or even by handling a toy that another child has touched.
The common cold
One of the most likely causes of children’s illnesses in a child is the common cold, and some can have one as many as six or eight times each year. The familiar effects of a runny nose or congestion and sometimes a sore throat and cough are all unpleasant and can last for up to ten days from start to finish.
As a virus causes them, common colds do not need antibiotics. Rest, plenty of fluids, and sometimes something to bring down a temperature is required, along with a good helping of love and attention.
A cough
Coughs can sometimes follow on from a cold and can be a worry for you as a parent. If you decide to give medicine to help relieve symptoms, you must choose the right product and carefully read the instructions.
Some cough medicines are not recommended for children of various ages unless prescribed by a doctor as they can have unwanted and sometimes severe side effects. That is true of any preparations that include narcotics such as codeine, which is often found in adult cough remedies.
Bronchiolitis
A cough usually characterizes bronchiolitis, and it is a common illness for infants and young children. It can be hard for a parent to differentiate between a more run of the mill cough and a case of bronchiolitis. Still, it usually occurs during the winter cold and flu months and is accompanied by a wheezing sound made when your child breathes.
If you think that your child may be suffering from a bout of bronchiolitis, you should seek medical advice.
Pain in the ear
There are many causes for a child to suffer from ear pain as infections of the outer ear canal or the inner Eustachian tube can all affect pressure on the eardrum. Colds, sinus infections, teeth complications, and much more can all cause problems.
A pediatrician will usually need to examine your child as part of an in-office exam to make the correct diagnosis.
General pain
One of the most distressing things a parent can experience is seeing their child in obvious pain and discomfort. If there is no apparent reason for your child to be reacting in this way, i.e., that you have not witnessed a small bump or knock occur during playtime or otherwise, it is always a good idea to get a qualified opinion.
Featured Image by Виктория Бородинова from Pixabay