Kids get sick sometimes. It’s a normal part of growing up. But as a parent or caregiver, it can be scary when your child isn’t feeling well. If ignored, these can become dangerous and even fatal. Did you know that more than 10 million childhood deaths happen annually due to infectious diseases? Continue reading to learn about the common childhood illnesses that kids get. Also, learn about some life-saving training that can help adults take care of sick kids.
What Are the 5 Most Common Childhood Illnesses?
Childhood illness is a very common occurrence in any child’s life. But as parents and caregivers, it is important to know how to deal with them quickly and effectively. Here are the most common childhood diseases list –
- The Common Cold
The common cold is the most common illness in kids. Young children might get 6 to 8 colds each year. That’s more than most adults get! Most colds go away on their own in about 7 to 10 days. But if your child’s common childhood illnesses and symptoms last longer or seem very bad, talk to a doctor.How to spot a cold:- Runny or stuffy nose
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Sometimes a mild fever
How to help:
- Rest: Let your child sleep more.
- Fluids: Give them lots of water or soup.
- Honey: For kids over 1 year old, honey can help with coughing.
- Saline drops: These can help clear a stuffy nose.
- Humidifier: Moist air can make breathing easier.
When to worry:
- If your child has trouble breathing
- If the fever is very high or lasts more than a few days
- Ear Infections
Ear infections are a common pediatric diagnosis that kids get a lot. About 5 out of 6 children will have at least one ear infection by their 3rd birthday.How to spot an ear infection:- Ear pain
- Trouble sleeping
- Fever
- Fluid coming from the ear
- Trouble hearing
How to help:
- Pain relief: Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the doctor says it’s okay.
- Warm compress: Put a warm, damp cloth on the ear.
- Rest: Help your child get extra sleep.
- Antibiotics: Sometimes the doctor will give medicine to fight the infection.
When to worry:
- If the pain is very bad
- If there’s swelling behind the ear
- If your child seems very sick or has a high fever
Read More: CPR vs. BLS Training: What’s the Difference?
- Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)
Stomach flu isn’t really flu at all. It’s when a virus makes the stomach and intestines sick. This is among the childhood illnesses that spread easily among kids. Most kids get over stomach flu in a few days. But if your child can’t keep any fluids down or has signs of dehydration (like not peeing), call the doctor right away.How to spot stomach flu:- Throwing up
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Not wanting to eat
How to help:
- Fluids: This is the most important thing. Give little sips of water or ORS (oral rehydration solution).
- Rest: The child should be allowed enough rest.
- Gentle foods: When they feel like eating, start with easy-to-digest foods like bananas or toast.
- Avoid certain foods: Don’t give milk or sugary foods until they feel better.
When to worry:
- If your child keeps vomiting even the fluids
- If there’s blood in the poop or throw up
- If your child seems very weak or sleepy
- Strep Throat
Strep throat is caused by bacteria. Kids who get this common pediatric disease are between the ages of 5 and 15. With antibiotics, most kids start feeling better in a day or two. But it’s important to finish all the medicine, even if your child feels better.How to spot strep throat:- Sore throat
- Fever
- Swollen neck glands
- White patches in the throat
- Headache
How to help:
- Antibiotics: The doctor will give medicine to fight the bacteria.
- Pain relief: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with pain and fever.
- Soft foods: Give foods that are easy to swallow, like soup or ice cream.
- Gargle with salt water
- Rest: The kid should be allowed to rest as much as possible..
When to worry:
- If your child finds swallowing or breathing difficult
- If the fever is very high or doesn’t go down with medicine
- Asthma
Asthma is a common pediatric illness for kids. Asthma is a long-term condition, but with good care, most kids with asthma can do all the things other kids do.How to spot asthma:- Coughing, especially at night
- Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
- Trouble breathing
- Tight feeling in the chest
How to help:
- Inhalers: Most kids with asthma use inhalers to help them breathe better.
- Avoid triggers: Help your child stay away from things that make their asthma worse, like smoke or dust.
- Action plan: Work with the doctor to make a plan for what to do during an asthma attack.
- Regular check-ups: Your child might need to have regular check-ups with their doctor to keep asthma under control.
When to worry:
- If your child has trouble breathing and the inhaler doesn’t help
- If your child’s lips or fingernails turn blue
- If your child has trouble talking or walking due to breathing problems
How Life-Saving Courses Help in Treating Children
Special training courses like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) are very important for people who take care of kids. These courses teach adults how to help in emergencies.
BLS is a basic course that teaches how to do CPR and use an AED This is important for all kinds of emergencies. ACLS is for more serious heart problems. It teaches how to help adults and older kids with big heart issues. PALS is specially designed for babies and children who are very sick or hurt.
If you are responsible for a child’s wellbeing, enrolling in one of these courses might be a good idea. Choose the course depending on your child’s needs. If your child is generally healthy, a BLS course would be enough. On the other hand, if your child has special healthcare needs, choose ACLS or PALS.
Conclusion
Kids get sick sometimes, and that’s normal. Most common illnesses in children get better with some care at home and time. Knowing about these common childhood illnesses can help you take good care of your child. Special training like BLS, ACLS, and PALS helps adults give even better care to kids who are very sick.
