If you’re a new parent, you might not know how to identify whether or not your child is sick. For most parents, crying is common and a sign of hunger or pain, but sometimes it could be more serious. Newborns and toddlers are delicate; they have underdeveloped immune systems, making them more susceptible to diseases and infections which could be hard to diagnose.
Though many mothers attend maternity classes, they often skip post-pregnancy care to look after their kids and spend more time with them. New parents can struggle with identifying the symptoms of childhood diseases.
Knowing the symptoms of these ailments can help parents take preventive measures, thus helping prevent the progression of a disease. While the most common childhood illnesses are easy to spot, some can be tricky to diagnose. This is one of the many reasons why consulting a proper healthcare physician is crucial as soon as the kid shows changes in their behavior.
Following are some of the most common health condition in children.
Cerebral Palsy
CP is one of the most common motor disabilities of childhood that affects one to four per 1000 children. CP is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and balance in children by targeting the portion of the brain associated with muscle movement and control.
Different types of CP have other symptoms that affect particular body movements and muscles. Many children are born with cerebral palsy, and some acquire it between 2-3 years of age. CP causes bleeding in the brain, ischemia in essential body organs, seizures at birth, or in severe cases, traumatic brain injury.
Children who have cerebral palsy have reduced muscle movement and rely on external support to carry their body weight. If you notice your child having stiff muscles or floppy movement, it might indicate the early onset of CP.
CP’s other symptoms include slow writing movement, difficulty maintaining balance, occasional tremors, and involuntary movement.
Ear Infection
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that children are more prone to ear infections than adults. Children between the age of six months and a year have weak immunity, making them vulnerable to ear infections.
These infections are caused by bacteria or viruses that lead to fluid buildup in the eustachian tubes, preventing draining from the middle of the ear. The most common symptoms could be a mild fever, lack of sleep, and crying. If your child is having difficulty sleeping on their side, or they keep tugging their ears, there might be an infection.
Influenza
Commonly known as the flu, this seasonal virus is common in both children and adults. Influenza results from a virus attacking the respiratory system. It is a contagious condition and can quickly spread through airborne particles resulting in coughing or sneezing.
Infants with flu have symptoms like a cough, runny nose, irritability, mild fever, and difficulty sleeping. Ensuring that everyone at your home gets a flu shot reduces the chances of catching flu and its severity.
Bronchiolitis
It is a common lung infection in young children and infants resulting from a virus causing inflammation and congestion in the bronchioles. If you hear a wheezing sound while your child breathes, it is a sign of congestion in the air tubules present in the lungs.
Children are more prone to bronchiolitis in the winter seasons. If you notice mild fever accompanied by coughing, difficulty breathing along with a wheezing sound, and runny or stuffy nose, your child may have developed bronchiolitis.
These symptoms are easily manageable at home and only require hospitalization if your child has severe breathing difficulty.
Stomach Flu or Gastroenteritis
Is your child vomiting or feeling nauseated? Do they have watery diarrhea? These symptoms might indicate stomach flu or gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis affects the small intestines, causing watery diarrhea, vomits, cramps, and sometimes fever.
The symptoms may take up to three days to appear. If your child has constant diarrhea, consult your doctor as soon as possible. Though stomach flu is not the same as seasonal flu, it is better to diagnose it through healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
Infants have weak immunity, which is why they’re vulnerable to bacterial or viral infections. As they age, their body adapts to their surroundings and develops better immunity. Often mild conditions can turn into severe cases if not treated properly.
Maintaining a hygienic environment at home can prevent many infections from affecting your child. Knowing the symptoms of common illnesses is essential in taking quick action to treat the issue before it gets worse.
Other common childhood problems are urinary tract infections, allergies, eye infections, or skin problems. These conditions are treatable and manageable with your doctor’s help and proper precautions. Additionally, getting your children vaccinated from an early age also reduces the intensity of symptoms.