Common Childhood Illness






Chickenpox


Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the initial infection with varicella zoster virus. The disease results in a characteristic skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters, which eventually scab over. It is a mild and common childhood illness, but can also occur in adults.  Chickenpox is an airborne disease which spreads easily through the coughs and sneezes of an infected person.

Prevention and Cure
Chickenpox can be prevented by a vaccine. Treatment usually involves relieving symptoms although high-risk groups may receive antiviral medications.

Medications
Analgesic, Antiviral drug, and Antihistamine

Self-care
Moisturizer and Oatmeal bath

Specialists
Pediatrician and Primary care provider (PCP)

Coughs, colds and ear infections in children


Common Cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. The throatsinuses, and voice box may also be affected. It’s normal for a child to have eight or more colds a year.

Prevention and Cure
Most people recover on their own within two weeks. Over-the-counter products and home remedies can help control symptoms.

Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-Inflammatory drug, Analgesic, Antihistamine, Eye decongestant, and Cough medicine

Self-care
Menthol, Nasal irrigation, and Throat lozenge

Specialists
Pediatrician and Primary care provider (PCP)

Cough is a sudden and often repetitively occurring reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes.
 The cough reflex consists of three phases: an inhalation, a forced exhalation against a closed glottis, and a violent release of air from the lungs following opening of the glottis, usually accompanied by a distinctive sound.

Prevention and Cure
A hot shower can help a cough by loosening secretions in the nose. Drinking fluids helps to thin out the mucus in postnasal drip. Try a menthol cough drop.

Otitis is a general term for infection of the ear. Acute otitis media (AOM) is the most common ear infection. Parts of the middle ear are infected and swollen and fluid is trapped behind the eardrum.


Prevention and Cure
Treatment varies and may include watchful waiting, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory medicines.
Most ear infections go away on their own. Some require antibiotics.
A person may be prescribed ear drops and advised to keep the ear dry.
The condition typically resolves within a few weeks. Medications such as antihistamines, anti-nausea drugs, and steroids are better.


Croup


Croup is a type of respiratory infection that is usually caused by a virus. Croup can be caused by a number of viruses including parainfluenza and influenza virus. Rarely it is due to a bacterial infectionCroup is a relatively common condition that affects about 15% of children at some point.
Croup is very common in children under five years old.

Prevention and Cure
Most cases clear up with home care in three to five days. A doctor may prescribe a steroid for a persistent case. Rarely, a severe case may need hospital care.

Supportive care
Oxygen therapy, Can be self-healing, and Airway management. Clearing a blocked airway of food, foreign objects, fluid and other obstructions. A top priority in emergency situations

Medications
Analgesic, Nonsteroidal anti-Inflammatory drug, Cough medicine, Steroid, and Vasoconstrictor

Specialists
Pediatrician, Primary care provider (PCP), and Emergency medicine doctor


Diarrhea and vomiting in children


 Diarrhoea is the condition of having at least three loose or liquid bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid lossInfection from viruses like rotavirus, bacteria like salmonella and, rarely, parasites like giardia. Viruses are the most common cause of a child's diarrhea.   Along with loose or watery stools, symptoms of a viral gastroenteritis infection often include vomiting, stomachache, headache, and fever.

Prevention and Cure
Avoid spicy foods, fruits, and caffeine until 48 hours after all symptoms have disappeared.
Avoid chewing gum that contains sorbitol.
Avoid milk for 3 days after symptoms disappear. Can eat cheese or yogurt with probiotics.

Fever in children


Fever is defined as having a temperature above the normal range due to an increase in the body's temperature set-pointA fever can be caused by many medical conditions ranging from the not serious to potentially serious. This includes viral, bacterial and parasitic infections such as the common cold, urinary tract infections, meningitis,malaria and appendicitis among others.

Prevention and Cure
Place a cool, damp washcloth on your child's forehead while she rests.
Give your child a lukewarm tub bath or a sponge bath. As the water evaporates from her skin, it will cool her and bring her temperature down. Don't use cold water. It can make her shiver and cause her body temperature to rise. Likewise, don't use rubbing alcohol. It can cause a temperature spike and possibly even alcohol poisoning.
Offer your child plenty of fluids and chilled foods, such as ice pops and yogurt, to help cool the body from the inside out and keep her hydrated.
Use a fan. Again, you don't want your child to be chilled. Keep the fan at a low setting and have it circulate the air around her rather than blow directly on her.
Remove layers of clothing so your child can lose heat more easily through her skin. Dress her in one light layer. If she's shivering, give her a light blanket until she's warm again.


Food allergies in children
 A food allergy is an abnormal immune response to food. The signs and symptoms may range from mild to severe. They may include itchiness, swelling of the tongue, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, trouble breathing, or low blood pressure.  Common foods involved include cow's milk, peanuts, eggs, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, rice, and fruit. The common allergies in a region vary depending on the country.

Prevention and Cure
Antihistamine drugs treat mild reactions. A severe reaction needs an injection of the drug epinephrine and emergency room care.

Medications
Antihistamine, Blood pressure support, and Immunotherapy.

Supportive care
Airway management. Clearing a blocked airway of food, foreign objects, fluid and other obstructions. A top priority in emergency situations.

Medical procedure
Desensitization


Measles


Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virusInitial signs and symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40 °C , cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. Measles is an airborne disease which spreads easily through the coughs and sneezes of those infected.
Anyone can get measles if they haven't been vaccinated or had it before, but it's most common in children.

Prevention and Cure
There's no treatment to get rid of an established measles infection, but over-the-counter fever reducers or vitamin A may help with symptoms.

Preventative
MMR vaccine. A combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Medications
Analgesic

Specialists
Infectious disease doctor, Pediatrician, and Primary care provider.

Mumps
Mumps is a viral disease caused by the mumps virus. Initial signs and symptoms often include fever, muscle pain, headache, and feeling tired. This is then usually followed by painful swelling of one or both parotid glands.
Mumps is an uncommon but contagious viral infection.  Mumps is highly contagious and spreads rapidly among people living in close quarters.

Prevention and Cure
Treatment focuses on symptom relief. Recovery takes about two weeks. The disease can be prevented by the MMR vaccine.

Preventative
MMR vaccine. A combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Medications
Analgesic and Nonsteroidal anti-Inflammatory drug

Self-care
Bed rest. Reducing activity for a short period of time following injury or illness to promote healing.
Specialists
Infectious disease doctor, Pediatrician, and Primary care provider (PCP)

Rubella
This disease is often mild with half of people not realizing that they are sick. A rash may start around two weeks after exposure and last for three days. It usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash is not as bright as that of measles and is sometimes itchy.
 Rubella is usually spread through the air via coughs of people who are infected.

Prevention and Cure
Rubella has been declared eliminated in the US. Parents are cautioned to vaccinate children with the MMR vaccine to prevent its re-emergence.

Medications
Analgesic

Preventative
MMR vaccine. A combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Supportive care
Can be self-healing. Condition usually improves over time without treatment.

Specialists
Infectious disease doctor, Pediatrician, and Emergency medicine doctor

Whooping cough
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial disease. Initially, symptoms are usually similar to those of the common cold with a runny nose, fever, and mild cough. This is then followed by weeks of severe coughing fits.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection and most serious in babies.

Prevention and Cure
Treatment includes antibiotics.

Medications
Antibiotics. Stops the growth of or kills bacteria.

Supportive care
Monitoring for changes or improvement. Monitoring a medical condition instead of taking action right away.

Specialists
Pediatrician and Primary care provider (PCP)
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