The most common childhood diseases

When our kids get sick, we want to do as much for our children as possible, and make their pain go away. Knowing what to do and what to look for when our children are not feeling well is essential in being able to accomplish that. Many common childhood diseases are almost inevitable, and just as the majority of children will go through them, they are a challenge for most parents to experience.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly referred to as ADHD, is a neurodevelopment condition that affects over two million children in the United States.

ADHD is diagnosed by the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are beyond what one would consider normal in a typically-developing child. Children who have excessive trouble focusing or paying attention, or who are easily distracted, should be assessed for ADHD.

Also, if your child is constantly in motion, always fidgeting, and has an inability to sit still for extended periods of time, this may be an indication of ADHD. Finally, if a child has difficulty controlling themselves, reacts emotionally or immediately act on their first thought, the child may have ADHD.

A diagnosis of ADHD is based on continual and severe issues that impact the child’s home, social or school life. Medications such as Ritalin can be prescribed to control the symptoms. Most experts agree that in addition to medications, or instead of them, the child should get assistance with the emotional and psychological issues as well. 

Common Cold

A cold is a viral infection that is accompanied by sneezing, a runny nose, and sometimes a fever. It is also sometimes accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and body aches. A cold usually does not last very long and there is no treatment for it.

However, parents may treat the symptoms of the common cold with over the counter medications. For a fever, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen but do not use aspirin — aspirin can cause dangerous complications in children.

There are several sinus medications that may help with sneezing and runny nose. The best way to pull through a cold is bed rest and plenty of fluids. A cold will typically last a few days to a week, and it is not normally necessary to see a physician or pediatrician. If symptoms get worse and the child is not getting better, though, see a doctor because there may be a more serious infection.

Fifth disease

Fifth disease is a common childhood viral infection that causes a rash, fever, muscle aches and headache. It manifests itself on the cheeks and has a “slapped cheek” look. The rash will then progress through the limbs and trunk. Treatment is not normally needed unless symptoms are severe. However, the symptoms can be lessened by using over the counter topical medications.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection that occurs primarily in children. There is a vaccine for chickenpox now, so though you most likely had chickenpox as a child, your own children do not need to go through this common childhood disease any more.

However, if you choose not to get the vaccine for your child or it isn't yet on the routine vaccination schedule in your country, the disease is usually fairly easy to get through and you will only have to deal with it once as most people become immune after having chickenpox.

The symptoms include red bumps on the body that turn into blisters and increase over the course of several days and may be accompanied by fever. The bumps may look like insect bites or a rash, and chickenpox is often difficult to diagnose the first few days. Watch the bumps to see if they turn into blisters and more bumps emerge over a few days. If so, it is likely chickenpox.

You should take your child to see a doctor immediately if chickenpox occurs in an infant, if the bumps seem infected, if there are bumps on the eyelid or the child seems unusually sick. If none of these symptoms exist, however, there is no need to take the child to the doctor. All the doctor will do is confirm the case and take your money. There is cure and no prescription that can be taken. It simply needs to run its course.

The child will need to be quarantined for the duration of the disease because chickenpox is highly contagious. However, once your child has had them, they will not get them again. It typically takes seven days for the chickenpox to no longer be contagious. Make sure that they are kept away from other children in the house and they do not attend school. Make sure nobody uses the same dishes or glasses that the infected child has used.

The symptoms of the disease are what need to be treated to ensure maximum comfort of the child. The child should not scratch at the bumps because this may cause infection. Frequent baths will help soothe the itchiness especially an oatmeal bath. Over the counter medications such as Benadryl will help as well. Dab the infected area with the medicine to relieve discomfort. Only treat a fever if it is over 101° F. A fever actually will help the child heal. If it is high, though, treat it with acetaminophen and ibuprofen products. Do not use Aspirin with a viral infection because the child could have a severe reaction to it.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 20. Early diagnosis, aggressive treatment and monitoring are essential in prolonging life and increasing the chances of going into remission. There are two types of leukemia: acute and chronic. Acute leukemia is a rapidly progressing form of the cancer while chronic leukemia may only require ongoing monitoring.

There are four types of treatments generally used for leukemia. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone marrow transplant and immunotherapy are commonly used. Often a combination of the four will also be employed to ensure all the cancer is treated. Chemotherapy is the most common form of treatment, using chemicals to treat the entire body. Radiotherapy is a targeted treatment using radiation to concentrate doses in a particular area. A bone marrow transplant is a type of surgery where a donor’s marrow is transferred to the patient. Immunotherapy stimulates the immune system so the body can attack the cancer cells.

Children who have chronic leukemia can often go years without any negative side effects or necessary treatment. If acute leukemia symptoms in children are present, however, immediate treatment is necessary. If treatment is successful, monitoring should occur throughout the child’s lifetime to ensure continued remission.

Strep Throat

A child with strep throat will have a sore, red throat and may also have other symptoms such as vomiting, headache, fever and abdominal pain. The child may have a hard time swallowing and the glands on the side of the neck may swell. There may also be white specks of pus on the tonsils.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that is diagnosed by swabbing the back of the throat and testing. Antibiotics are typically prescribed to treat the infection. The antibiotics will quickly reduce the child's fever and will shorten the length of the illness. Additional over the counter medications can be used to help with the discomfort such as Throat lozenges and sprays. During the illness, avoid difficult to swallow foods and stay with soups and softer foods so the throat is not further irritated.

Read More: Why Parents Should Still Say Yes To Childhood Vaccines

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infection that has affected approximately one third of the world’s population, although a safe and efficient vaccine against tuberculosis is on the market. Often TB has no symptoms but symptoms are most prevalent in infants. They may include a persistent dry cough, trouble breathing, fever, poor appetite, night sweats and trouble gaining weight. If there are no symptoms, TB is commonly diagnosed with a skin test that is performed in childhood during a normal medical check up. It is treated with anti-tuberculosis medicines such as isoniazid or rifampin for an extended period of time.