What are the most common illnesses in young children? Here at Aids Ministry we aim to provide well researched articles and information that could help us to understand all types of common diseases and how we can be able to prevent and cure it.
Conjunctivitis:
What is it? Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctive mucosa, which is a membrane that surrounds the eyeball.
What are the factors that produce them? The main causes are allergies and infections. It is important to know that infectious conjunctivitis can be transmitted by coughing, sneezing, touching hands, towels and handkerchiefs.
What are the symptoms? It usually takes the form of redness in the eye, legaia, tearing, itching, swelling of the eyelids and other eye discomfort.
How is it treated? The main treatment is the hygiene of the eyes and, only if it is bacterial, an antibiotic eye drop prescribed by the pediatrician is used.
Chickenpox:
What is it? It is a disease caused by a virus that especially affects children between the ages of 3 and 10.
What are the factors that cause it? It is transmitted through the breathing of saliva droplets expelled by a sick person, as well as through contact with the skin rashes of someone with this virus. It can be spread from two days before rashes appear, to about a week after they have become crusty.
What are the symptoms? The main symptoms are fever, weakness, tiredness, rash, and intense itching. These rashes usually start on the face and chest and spread to the rest of the body. When they dry, they leave a crust. Their duration is approximately one week, although it depends on the child.
How is it treated? It is mainly aimed at reducing symptoms: itching and fever. But the child’s own body will take care of overcoming the infection. In order to avoid contagion, the child should stay at home until the crust stage, in a cool environment (humidity makes the itching worse) and cut the nails so that it does not hurt itself.
Cold:
What is it? It is a condition of the upper airways (throat and nose).
What are the factors that produce them? It is caused by a wide variety of viruses. It is transmitted through the air, where secretions are expelled from the airways of sick people through sneezing or coughing. It can also be spread by contact of the mouth, nose, hands, or eyes with contaminated objects. Children are the population most affected by this disease, as their immune system is not yet sufficiently developed, as well as by frequent contact with other children.
What are the symptoms? The most frequent signs are: sneezing, cough, mucus, nasal obstruction and discharge, difficulty breathing, fever, throat discomfort and general malaise. It usually lasts six or seven days.
What is its treatment? It is important to keep in mind that the cold heals itself, so treatment will be aimed at reducing your symptoms. It is crucial to maintain good hydration in the child, good environmental humidification through vaporizers and frequent hand washing to avoid contagion.
Diarrhea:
What is it? It consists of an inflammation of the intestines and stomach.
What are the factors that cause it? The main causes are infections of different origin (viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc.) mainly contracted by eating contaminated food, a reaction to the introduction of new foods or by side effects of some medicines.
What are the symptoms? The symptoms of inflammation result in an increase in the number of stools, as well as a change in their usual consistency. There is a danger of dehydration, and malnutrition in the child, as through the stool loses a lot of water and mineral salts.
How is it treated? Frequent fluid intake, an astringent diet (a diet that eliminates or reduces fiber-rich foods), and based on low-residue foods such as rice, carrots, chicken and boiled fish are recommended.
Otitis:
What is it? It is an infection that occurs in the ear by the action of bacteria, viruses or because of allergy. It can affect different parts of the ear.
What are the factors that cause them? There are different causes that can be avoided or appeased: contact with swimming pool water, removal of earwax (it has a protective function) and mucus from the child caused by respiratory diseases.
What are the symptoms? The main symptoms are usually fever, ear pain and drainage. These problems usually produce various reactions in children, such as irritability, rejection of certain foods, crying …
What is your treatment? It is convenient to go to the pediatrician or the otolaryngologist to give us the opportune treatment. This is usually mainly antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and analgesics.