Family Tips: Common Childhood Illnesses

Common Childhood Illnesses and How to Minimise Them

The Usual Suspects!

Unfortunately, the most common childhood illnesses are often unavoidable. At some point, all young children will be exposed to infectious diseases. Thankfully, most of these diseases aren’t usually serious and children recover well.

The good news is, that illness actually bolsters your child’s immune system, making them less vulnerable to re-infection.

In this article we look at some of the most common childhood illnesses and provide tips for reducing your child’s risk of infection.

What Causes Common Childhood Illnesses?

Infectious diseases are caused by germs, such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

Contagious or communicable diseases are those that can be spread from one person to another.

Many of the infectious diseases that occur in young children are contagious, and can spread very easily from one child to another.

Some of the Most Common Childhood Illnesses

Chickenpox

Viral infection – contagious 2 days before blisters appear, until last blisters have crusted over – usually about 1 week.

Signs & Symptoms

Mild fever; Illness for 1 or 2 days. Spots appear anywhere on the body, including in the hair, mouth, ears, and around the genitals. Spots blister then scab over.

Cold Sores

Viral infection – contagious until blisters have healed.

Signs & Symptoms

Groups of small blisters erupt, generally around the lips, mouth, nose, and sometimes the genitals, or eyes. Virus remains in the system, recurring periodically.

Diarrhoea

May be caused by virus, parasite, or bacterial infection – can be contagious throughout duration of illness.

Signs & Symptoms

Crampy abdominal pain followed by explosive, watery bowel motions. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and fever may accompany diarrhoea. Dehydration may result from frequent episodes. Diarrhoea usually lasts a few days, but may continue for up to 2 weeks.

Mumps

Viral infection – contagious 2 days before symptoms appear, to 6 days after symptoms end.
Incubation period of 14-20 days.

Signs & Symptoms

Mild fever; headache; very sore throat; painful swelling in the salivary glands (between the ear and jaw).

Head Lice (Pediculosis)

Parasite – treatment with medicated shampoo for 5 days is necessary to prevent recurrence.

Signs & Symptoms

Itching and scratching head area; scalp inflammation, where lice have bitten skin to obtain blood; small white eggs (nits) and active lice in the hair.

 

Tips for Minimising Common Childhood Illnesses

Whilst, it’s impossible to stop your child from ever being exposed to infection and becoming ill, good hygiene will help them get sick less often.

  • Once your baby is out of the ‘exploring with the mouth’ stage, discourage toys and fingers in the mouth.
  • Teach your child to always wash their hands after using the toilet, and before eating. This way any germs on their hands will not enter their mouth with their food.
  • Show your child how to blow their nose effectively, and use tissues that can be thrown in the rubbish (along with the germs).
  • Teach your child proper handwashing technique.
  • Teach your child to place their hand over their mouth when they cough to prevent spreading their germs around the room.
  • If you know friends or relatives have been unwell, you might choose to postpone a play date until a later time.

We hope these tips will help you manage the risks of illness for your child…

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