12 August, 2021

Pediatrics

3 Common Childhood Respiratory Infections And Their Prevention

Your baby’s human respiratory tract is exposed to the outside world to allow air and carbon dioxide to pass through, giving it an ideal entrance site for viruses that might cause sickness. Respiratory diseases, which affect the nose, throat, and lungs, are frequent, particularly in youngsters who have not yet developed immunity to the viruses and bacteria that can cause such disorders.

  1. Influenza

    Influenza, also known as the flu, is a virus that causes high fevers, muscular pains, tiredness, cough, and a runny nose for five to seven days. Pneumonia and subsequent bacterial infections might result in hospitalisation as a result of influenza complications. Influenza, especially in young children, can be severe, even fatal. Fevers in children are often greater than in adults, and their stomach problems are typical.

    However, vaccines are available that will reduce the severity of the infection and prevent the early attack. No medication is available, which will reduce the flu immediately, but the antiviral medication will help fasten the child’s recovery. 

  2. Upper respiratory infection – The common cold 

    The other respiratory infection caused by viruses is “the upper respiratory infection”, regularly termed “Common Cold.” The occurrence of cold is common in both adults and children. However, it affects children more times, with more symptoms when compared to adults. For example, adults have 3-4 colds per year, whereas children have 6-8 colds per year. 

    Adults and children have relatively similar symptoms, although children may additionally have a small temperature, whereas adults do not. Although viruses cause common colds, these are less severe than influenza and less likely to lead to subsequent pneumonia. Proper medication and rest will subside the symptoms of the cold. 

  3. Strep throat or Sore throat 

    A bacterial infection is always the cause of strep throat. The bacteria Group A Streptococcus (also known as “group A strep”) affects the throat and tonsils, responding swiftly to medicines. A sore throat is unpleasant, but it is not as unpleasant as strep throat. Viruses are the most prevalent cause of the common cold. This implies that antibiotics will not affect it.

    In both children and adults, strep should be addressed seriously and treated as soon as feasible. It can lead to significant health issues, such as rheumatic fever, a dangerous inflammatory illness that affects the heart, joints, nervous system, and skin if left untreated. It can also cause renal disease and rheumatic heart disease.

Prevention is the most powerful strategy for respiratory diseases. Being careful and following basic measures will help us greatly prevent the attack of these common issues in children. Hands should be washed regularly. Respiratory infections are spread by saliva and nasal secretions, which can be spread through direct contact, such as shaking hands, touching shared surfaces like doorknobs and counters, or coughing in a public place. 

To eliminate any viruses or germs that may be remaining on your skin, wash for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. And keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Many viruses enter the body through these openings.

*Information shared here is for general purpose. Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.

SIMILAR ARTICLES

blog featured image

02 February, 2022

The Ultimate Guide to Taking Care of Toddlers in the Winter

With the cold weather already here, you may be thinking about whether it’s safe for your toddler to play outside or not. However, no matter if the temperatures outside are decreasing, toddlers during the winter require physical activities because they are great stress relievers for them when they are cooped up inside their house for so many hours. Thus, it is safe for a toddler to play outside during the cold weather. The American Council of Exercise even recommends that the children should receive approximately 60 minutes of physical activity each day. So you may allow your toddler for outdoor play in different intervals by providing them breaks after 10 to 20 minutes.  Here are several other tips that will facilitate outdoor play for your toddlers while keeping them safe. Dressing Them Properly During Cold Weather Toddlers during the winter should be sent outside to play only after dressing them in layers.  The layered dressing will help to keep the body warm of your toddler with scarves, boots, hats, earmuffs, socks or mittens. Additionally, the layers will not only protect your child while they’re playing outside but will also help to retain their body heat through the air pockets present in the different clothes. Though your child may become sweaty through outdoor play, you can always take off one layer. It is even recommended to dress your child in an extra layer as compared to an average adult.
blog featured image

29 January, 2022

Common Diseases and Issues: Caring For a Baby And How To Prevent Them.

Caring for a baby is very crucial because during the initial first year the baby’s immune system is quite weak. Due to this, there are amplified chances for him or her to develop several common diseases in babies or sickness in infant. But with the right care, you can treat common diseases in babies easily. However, new parents and caregivers may have several questions related to their infants’ healthcare. So this guide will help you to know how to care for your baby and prevent the common diseases in babies and sickness in infant. Now let’s have a look at the common diseases in babies worth one year or less and how to care for them, or how to prevent them earlier only.  Bowel movements Keeping track of the bowel movement of your infant is crucial because this can help you to know if your infant is likely to develop any disease. So the different factors you need to consider regarding the bowel movement of your baby are as follows. Consistency. Initially, the consistency of your kid’s stool will range from loose, runny or soft. However, infant or formula-fed may have stools with a tan yellow shade and firmer as compared to the infants who are breastfed. All you need to consider while checking the consistency of your infants’ stool is that it should not be hard or very
blog featured image

11 January, 2021

Are seizures in children common while sleeping

When the brain short-circuits, a seizure (also known as a convulsion) arises. Seizures can result in uncontrollable body twitches, a loss of communication, and urine. Sleep is disrupted for some children not by nightmares but by seizures. These sudden strokes are far more prevalent at night.  When the brain is excessively fatigued and just entering a sleep state or just waking up, it is more prone to these electrical explosions. It’s easy to confuse a night terror’s shrieking and passiveness for a seizure. However, Night terrors, on the other hand, frighten us without the classic symptoms of attacks like drooling, limb jerking, tongue biting, or incontinence. Common seizure signs that occur in children There are a few common signs that can help you recognize seizures in children. Here goes the list: Sudden jerking movements while sleeping  Continuous staring or spacing out  Not having control over urination or losing control over the bladder. Sudden loss of consciousness or awareness about the surroundings. In the case of toddlers, the child does not respond to the actions for a long time.  Stiffening of the body or body movements  Causes of Seizures in Children Seizures are usually seen between the
Loading booking..