Common Childhood Diseases:
Amongst the most common diseases of the
infants and children are the infectious diseases.
Following the introduction of effective
vaccines incidence of many infections( e.g. polio, measles,
german measles, diphtheria, etc.)
have been reduced but other infectious diseases like upper
respiratory viral infections, hepatitis, shingellosis, etc. are
still widely prevalent.
A. Upper Airway Infections
Infection of the middle ear ( Otitis Media)
Infection of sinuses ( Sinusitis)
B. Infection of oral cavity:
Canker Sore Thrush
Sore throat
Croup
Infection of middle ear ( Otitis Media )
Symptoms:
Newborns and infants may not present with specific symptoms;
often just being more irritable, crying while beating or pulling
at the ear ( due to earache).
Older children may complain of pain in one
or both of the ears, hearing loss and discharge from ears.
Child may have fever, cough, cold, vomiting
and diarrhea.
Cause: Usually caused by bacteria and rarely by virus.
Duration: If it persists for more than one month it is considered as chronic.
Treatment: Treatment usually consists of appropriate
antibiotics and supportive treatment in the form of
decongestants. Patients who do not respond favourably may
need minor ear surgery.
Infection of the sinuses ( Nose congestion/ runny nose/ Sinusitis ).
Symptoms: Children 5 years and above usually complain of
fever, headache and facial pain.
Younger children usually have fever, nasal
purulent discharge and daytime cough for more than 10 days.
Children may also have bad breadth, tenderness and swelling
around eyes.
Cause: Sinusitis occurs due to infection of the paranasal sinuses. It is mostly due to bacterial infections. Predisposing factors of sinusitis are viral upper respiratory infection, allergy, asthma, rapid change in altitude and swimming.
Occurrence: It may be acute or chronic. Infection of ethmoidal sinus is the most common in children. Frontal sinusitis is rare before 10 years of age.
Treatment: Treatment is mainly with antibiotics, nasal
decongestants and antihistamine in
patients who have allergy. Steam inhalation
also helps.
Canker Sore
These are circular shallow ulcers
which may occur anywhere in mouth. Exact cause is not known.
Thrush
These are grayish white patches
inside mouth. It occurs commonly in new born
babies. It is treated with oral anti fungal
medicine.
Sore throat ( Pharyngitis)
Symptoms: Child will complain of sore throat and may have more than 101 F, enlarged tonsils and tender lymph node in throat.
Cause Often caused due to viruses and is part of common cold. It can also occur due to bacterial infection ( Streptococcus). It should be differentiated and treated so as to avoid complications of bacterial sore throat.
Treatment Treatment for bacterial phanyngitis is with
penicillin. Supportive therapy includes warm saline gargles and
throat lozenges.
Croup It is a term used to describe infection of larynx, trachea and bronchi.
Symptoms Child has brassy cough with hoarseness, and sometimes signs of difficulty in breathing.
Treatment
A doctor should be consulted and appropriate therapy instituted
after examination. Supportive therapy includes humidification,
voice rest and steam inhalation.