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Common Ailments |
Have you ever had a sick child but didn't know if you should worry about the symptoms you are seeing? Most of the time, a sick child will get better in a few days with no more than rest, extra liquids and possibly a dose of home remedies or medicines kept at home. It's all about the child's resistance to diseases and immunity.
In the process of building natural immunity a child's individual response to disease depends largely on constitution inherited through parents, her/his own individual system, environment and ante-natal nutrition. The constitutional makeup of children leads us to the aspect of resistance and susceptibility. Thus no two children are same. One child may be back home with fever after getting wet in the rain while the other may not show any signs of it.
It is commonly stated that a child cannot grow up without ailments. Till the fifth year of the child's life, the parents become immune to "childhood sickness".
A list of common ailments in children are mentioned below. Although these are the ailments you will see most often in your children, this list is not a definitive list of illness you will face. When in doubt, always call your children's health care provider for advice.
 how to recognize that a child is unwell?
| Health Problem |
Description, symptoms and care |
| Allergies |
A seemingly harmless foreign substance enters the body, producing a defense reaction against the foreign particle, causing an allergic reaction such as a runny nose, itching eyes or wheezing lungs. |
| Asthma |
A condition wherein the airways of the respiratory system become constricted and cause wheezing and difficulty in breathing. |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity |
A behavioral disorder that is characterized by a child’s inability to pay attention for a considerably long period of time. |
| Bladder Infections |
A urinary tract infection that is characterized by a pain felt when urinating and a foul smell of the urine. |
| Bronchitis |
This is the inflammation of bronchial tubes, sometimes the windpipe and trachea, usually caused by a virus (but occasionally by bacteria). Most commonly, bronchitis has the same symptoms as the common cold. Other symptoms may include fever around 38 degrees Celsius, a harsh cough that normally worsens at night, wheezing and phlegm. Rarely may you see a bluish tinting of the lips and fingernails.
Care: Increase clear fluids in the child’s diet; treat cold symptoms with fever reducers and cough medicines as prescribed. If the symptoms persist for more than 2 days or are severe, call your doctor. |
| Candidiasis |
A yeast infection that may be an oral or vaginal infection, caused by a certain kind of fungi and is characterized by an itchy and sore sensation. |
| Chicken Pox |
A highly contagious viral disease characterized by numerous sores and itchiness. |
| Colds |
Generally, the common cold is the combination of runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. Coughing, fever, sore throat and loss of appetite are also common symptoms. The common cold is often the diagnosis when a child becomes ill. Due to their immature immune systems, children are highly susceptible to all the different cold viruses.
Care: Increase clear fluids in the child’s diet. Since there is no known ‘cure’ for the common cold, symptoms are treated with suctioning of the nose, decongestants and nose drops. |
| Conjunctivitis |
Also know as ‘pink eye’, conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the lining of the eye. There are many causes for this ailment that include viruses, bacteria, allergens, irritants, parasites and blocked tear ducts. Bloodshot eyes; eyes that burn and itch; frequent, persistent tears; and sensitivity to light are some of the symptoms and the worrying part is that it easily spreads from one eye to the other.
Care: Use warm compresses (not hot) and eye soaks; wash bedclothes and towels frequently to avoid spreading and reinfection, and eliminate allergens like tobacco smoke, if possible. If the condition does not improve or worsens, call your doctor and prescription drops or ointment may have to be administered to eliminate the infection. |
| Croup |
A respiratory problem that is characterized by swelling of the voice box and airways causing a distinctive barking cough. |
| Ear Infection |
Also known as ‘otitis media,’ it is a middle ear infection cause by bacteria or viruses characterized by fever and ear pain. |
| Flu/ Influenza |
Commonly know as the flu, or upper respiratory infection, influenza is caused by a variety of influenza viruses. It is characterized by fever, headache, muscle pains, coughing and discomfort. It can lead to pneumonia especially among younger children. Fever of between 37.6 and 40 degrees Celsius; dry cough turning into productive cough; vomiting and diarrhea. Common, but less frequent, symptoms include headache, aches and pains, neck stiffness and fatigue. Although rare, influenza can damage the central nervous system and heart.
Care: Increase clear fluids in the child’s diet; treat cold symptoms with fever reducers and cough medicines as prescribed. It is very important to call your doctor if your child is under 6 months of age or if the symptoms are severe or last more than 3 days. Antiviral drugs may be prescribed in these instances. |
| Fever |
Also known as Pyrexia, is a bodily condition that is characterized by a rise in temperature and this is the main symptom that the body may be suffering from an abnormal condition. |
| Febrile Seizures |
Febrile convulsion is caused by very high fever and is characterized by involuntary muscular contraction and contortion of the body as if in a seizure. |
| German Measles |
Also known as rubella is a viral disease that is characterized by rashes, joint pains, headaches, and conjunctivitis. |
| Headache |
A condition of the body wherein the head experiences pain, which may include the neck and the upper back. |
| Heel Pain |
A condition wherein the heel experiences pain caused by plantar fasciitis. |
| Knee Pain |
A condition wherein pain is felt at the knee joint. |
| Lactose Intolerance |
A condition wherein the body is unable to digest lactose due to the body’s lack of the enzyme lactase which is in-charge of doing so. |
| Measles (Rubella) |
A viral contagious disease characterized by fever, cough, coryza (head cold), conjunctivitis, and a red rash; it is unrelated to German measles. |
| Mumps |
A viral disease characterized by swelling of the salivary glands and testicles, fever, and headache. |
| Nausea and Vomiting |
A condition wherein uneasiness of the stomach is felt which usually leads to vomiting. |
| Rash |
A condition of the skin wherein its appearance changes with bumps, cracks, blisters, or colour being affected. It may be accompanied by itchiness. |
| Strep Throat |
A disease caused by bacterial infection in the throat and is characterized by fever, stomach pain and irritated tonsils. Low grade to moderate fever up to 39.4 degrees Celsius, inflammation of the throat, throat pain and discomfort, fussiness and irritability are some of the symptoms. In some rare instances, there are no symptoms noticed at all.
Care: A throat culture needs to be done in order to diagnose strep throat, so a visit to your doctor when your child experiences throat pain is recommended. Antibiotics may be prescribed when strep throat is the diagnosis. Increase clear fluids in the child’s diet and offer soft, cold foods. |
| Stomach flu/disorders |
Inflammation of the stomach is common in children mainly due to infections by stomach flu, intestinal virus and infections from poorly prepared foods. Stomach flu is usually accompanied by severe cramping pains in the abdomen, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Care: Manage your child's stomach disorders by feeding the child a diet of warm liquids, oral rehydration salts and vitamins. Gently heating the stomach with a warm moist cloth will be helpful. It is however important to note that if the condition does not improve, consult a doctor. |
| Tonsillitis |
A bacterial or viral infection of the tonsils that is characterized by sore throat and fever. |
| Whooping Cough (Pertussis) |
A contagious disease cause by a certain type of bacteria that is characterized by a high-pitched coughing, sneezing, and runny nose. |
Medical Attention
Medicating children is a difficult issue for many parents. Parents fear the effect of powerful drugs on children, and their concerns are justified. Caution argues that if a child's disorder is mild enough to be treated with behavioural and educational techniques, this should be our first approach. The assumption, however, is that these attempts may be ineffective and our child's condition will worsen.
Most parents would be concerned if their child complains about "not feeling well". And it may again be misconstrued as an ailment, or could be a manifestation of a psychological problem. Often, parents take children to physicians simply because they're tense and concerned about what is causing this 'sick feeling.' It is often a matter of concern as the child cannot detect the problem themselves or express it clearly. This is a very dicey situation for parents. Sometimes we find that with time the ailment subsides and the child does not necessarily require treatment. It's just to make a diagnosis and reassure parents that there isn't something more troubling present, that one has to visit a medical practitioner. Both overuse and under use of effective medicines can cause serious harm.
 Parent Alert! A few things to bear in mind
| 1. |
Sometimes excessive treatment or perpetually falling sick develops into an indulgence or dependence on intake of medicines (hypochondria). Remember that over use of drugs can kill the natural immune system of the child. The benefits of the medication must outweigh the risks. Always! |
| 2. |
Parents are cautioned against over the counter medicines, especially for children. |
| 3. |
The manufacturing date and expiry date on the medicines should never be overlooked. |
| 4. |
Often simple home made remedies can cure ailments. |
| 5. |
Sometimes it is best to observe a child complaining of sickness for a day and then try medication. |
Antibiotics and your child...
Many parents worry if their children need prescriptions for antibiotics. Some are concerned that the child will develop immunity to the antibiotic, while others are anxious about side effects - fearing that the treatment may do more harm than good.
It is most unlikely that antibiotics will harm your child. Many children have needed these drugs for weeks or months on end, because of chronic infections in the kidneys, middle ear, tonsils and other parts of the body. Used when needed, antibiotics are among the most valuable drugs we have. Their use has become so common that not much thought is given to their need for use, their side effects and precautions to be observed during the treatment. However, their indiscriminate use has to be totally avoided. Before that we have to understand what it is actually.
Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. They are very useful drugs and have saved the lives of many children with serious illnesses such as meningitis, pneumonia and septicaemia ('blood poisoning').
Usage
Not all infections can be treated with antibiotics. Many infections, such as simple colds and some stomach upsets causing diarrhoea are caused by viruses, which can be destroyed only by the body's own defence mechanisms.
In many cases it is not always possible to determine if an infection is due to a bacteria or a virus. This is particularly so with infections of the upper respiratory tract. These infections, which cause sore throats, coughing, runny noses and ear aches, are very common. Most children, especially when they first start mixing with lots of other children, will get about 6 of these infections in a single year.
The decision to recommend an antibiotic in these circumstances will vary from doctor to doctor and from patient to patient. The length and severity of the illness and the presence of other complicating factors will influence the decision.
Side effects
No drug can be guaranteed against producing side effects and antibiotics are no exception. However side effects are rare and when they do occur they are usually mild. Diarrhoea is the most common. True allergy to antibiotics is uncommon and usually shows up as a rash.
Tips while giving antibiotics to children
| 1. |
Do not be tempted to start antibiotics by yourself and always consult your doctor before doing so. Unwarranted use of these drugs can mask your child's symptoms partially; delay the exact diagnosis and her/his recovery. Antibiotics need to be chosen specifically for individual germs and illnesses and your doctor is the best person to decide so. |
| 2. |
Many illnesses like simple coughs, colds, mild diarrhoea andskin infections tend to run a self-limiting course of about 3 to 7 days. A great majority of children do not need antibiotics. Adequate rest, balanced diet and fluids shall aid in recovery for your child. |
| 3. |
Stopping antibiotics before the recommended duration of treatment is counter productive in the long run, even if your child feels and looks better. By doing so, he/she may need a more potent antibiotic for a similar illness in the future and perhaps a costlier one too. |
| 4. |
Do not rely on other children's symptoms or earlier episodes to start the treatment. Children's symptoms vary based on their age, types of germs causing illness and their own individual differences. |
| 5. |
Do not be tempted to use partially used or left over suspensions or syrups of antibiotics. These tend to deteriorate on storage. Always check the label for instructions before use. If you are using suspension, shake the bottle vigorously before use so as to deliver a uniform concentration of the drug every time. |
| 6. |
Get used to dispersible kid tablets early as they are convenient, easy to use (dissolve easily), have less chances of wastage and have minimal chance of dosing errors. |
| 7. |
Avoid giving antibiotics on a full stomach or with milk or antacids. These may hamper the absorption of antibiotics from the stomach. |
| 8. |
Many antibioticscause mild side effects such as abdominal discomfort and occasional diarrhoea. These are usually transient, subside gradually on their own and are no reason to discontinue the treatment. |
| 9. |
Inform your doctor before hand if your child or family has a history of drug allergies, erruptions, asthma or some deficiency. This can help your doctor greatly to plan your child's treatment appropriately. |
| 10. |
Watch out for any unexpected or unusual reactions while the child is on the antibiotics. Inform your doctor immediately if the child develops severe itching, swelling of the body or if the urine is darker than usual. |
Good compliance to the instructions with a watchful eye on the potential side effects would be important key factors to anticipate desirable results from the antibiotic usage in children.
Home Remedies
Every time your baby has cold or nasal congestion, you don't have to switch to panic mode and rush to the doctor! You can easily reduce the number of medications prescribed to your baby by complementing and depending on results, even replacing them with some equally effective home remedies. However, if a baby less than 3 months old is not well, do not try the home remedies as s/he is still too young to be fed anything other than breast milk.
Here are some of the possible health problems your baby may suffer from and the ways in which you can provide treatment within the comfort of your home:
COLD AND COUGH
 Elevation
Use rolled-up towels or pillows under the mattress, so your child's head and chest are elevated while sleeping. This will help decrease problems when excess mucous accumulates in the throat and back of the nose (post-nasal drip).
Steam
Stand in the bathroom. Simply close the bathroom door, open a tap and allow warm water to be collected in a bucket. Or put hot water in a tub and let the child inhale the steam by covering the head with a towel, positioned over the tub (This is ideal for children above the age of 4-5 years and the water temperature can be kept low to avoid injury, accordingly). The moisture will help loosen nasal passages and clear congestion from head colds.
Honey
Honey is rated as the best cough remedy. It's thick and syrupy, and it coats where the irritant receptors are. It also causes salivation, which prevents dry coughs, and is rich in antioxidants. For kids 1 to 5 years old, you can give 1/2 teaspoon daily. Though honey can sometimes lead to botulism in infants, it is fine for older kids.
Salt in water
The salt draws water out of the inflammations caused by bacteria or other germs and kills anything that may be thriving in the warm, wet environment.Older children may gargle with it.
TUMMY ACHES
Real Ginger Ale
Make your own Ginger Ale by combining ginger, lemon rind, honey, boiling water, tulsi and cinnamon to taste. Or you could just soak ginger slices in hot water to make tea.
Breast Milk
Dehydrated babies with upset stomachs will often refuse bottles but are willing to nurse for comfort.
Chamomile
Have the child drink it as tea or take it diluted in a homeopathic product (Be sure to talk to your doctor before giving it to a baby under 1 year)
TEETHING
Frozen Food
Food is flexible in a way that plastic teethers aren't, and it's meant to go in mouths (which might help keep babies from thinking that it's okay to chew on their toys! Just be sure to use fooditems that are big enough to avoid the risk of choking.
Camilia
there are some homeopathic teething tablets with camilia, a homeopathic medicine made from the Chamomilla vulgaris plant, which helps soothe painful gums, restlessness, and irritability.
CONSTIPATION
Laxative Fruit
Fresh pear, banana, mango, papaya, apricot, peache, and dried fruit can work wonders. For babies too young to chew, boil a fruit in water, then puree it.
Flaxseed or Psyllium Husk Seed (Commonly found in Isabgol)
Sprinkle it on food or mix it into easy-to-eat items like yogurt for kids older than two years. Just be sure to check with your doctor about recommended amounts, as the results can be intense for kids.
lESSER KNOWN DISORDERS
lactose intolerance
Has your child ever had gastrointestinal or digestive difficulties after drinking a glass of milk or eating dairy products? If your child has these symptoms, your child may have what is known as lactose intolerance, and your child is not alone. Lactose intolerance is a common condition that occurs in many young children. It may or may not continue as the child progresses in years.
Lactose intolerance occurs because an individual lacks the enzyme lactase, or is deficient for lactase in the small intestine. Lactase normally breaks down lactose into the basic sugars glucose and galactose so it can be absorbed into the blood and taken up by cells for metabolic functioning. When lactose is not broken down, it attracts fluids into the bowels, causing bloating. When the undigested lactose gets to the colon, bacteria react to the fermented sugars and absorb additional fluid, increasing flatulence.
There are two known causes of lactose intolerance.
| 1. |
Deficiency in the lactase enzyme (When an individual is born without the ability to produce the lactase enzyme) |
| 2. |
An injury or illness to the gastrointestinal system, also known to be secondary or acquired lactose intolerance. |
Symptoms
Symptoms that indicate a child is lactose intolerant include nausea, cramping, bloating, gas or flatulence, and diarrhoea. The symptoms vary according to the child's tolerance of lactose. Normally, symptoms appear within half an hour to two hours after ingestion of lactose-containing foods. Small to medium-sized portions of lactose cause bloating, cramps, and gas. Larger intakes of lactose cause diarrhoea.
Remedies
Parents may substitute milk with soymilk. If you feel that your child is not getting enough calcium, your doctor may recommend additional calcium supplements to meet the nutritional needs of your child.
Another concern parents may have with their lactose intolerant child is whether the child is receiving sufficient levels of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary for the body because it absorbs calcium. Foods rich in Vitamin D, but not on a child's favorites list, include eggs and liver. Sunlight also provides the body with Vitamin D. Again, if you feel your child is not getting enough Vitamin D, the doctor may recommend Vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin D which is essential for growth and the repair of bones, calcium-rich foods are recommended for children who are lactose intolerant. Green vegetables that are high in calcium and low in oxalates, yogurt with active cultures are also good sources of calcium.
But there is nothing to worry; child can lead a healthy and normal life with the proper dietary adjustments.
Colic
The baby has been crying for nearly one hour and the parents do not know the reason why?! The feed was sufficient, sleep was peaceful, the baby was up and playing and suddenly the baby starts wailing.
Babies who have colic cry a lot more than most babies. Babies who have colic may clench their fists when crying, curl up their legs or seem like they are in pain. They may even turn bright red from crying. When this crying lasts for more than 3 hours a day and happens at least 3 days per week for more than 3 weeks, it's called colic. Colicky babies usually get fussy towards the end of the day, but colic can happen at any time.
A baby who has colic may cry in bouts or may cry almost all of the time. When your baby cries, he or she may swallow air. This may give your baby gas and make your baby's tummy look swollen and feel tight, which may make her/him even more uncomfortable.
Colic usually starts a few weeks after birth. It usually goes away when the baby is 3 months old. If your baby is still colicky after 3 months of age, he or she may be experiencing a reflux disorder.
Acid reflux disorder also known as gastro esophageal reflux is caused by hydrochloric acid from the stomach entering the esophagus.
Cause
No one is sure what causes colic. It is certainly not the parents' fault!
| 1. |
Colic isn't caused by the way the baby is handled or treated. |
| 2. |
Babies who have colic are typically healthy, so it's not caused by a medical problem. |
| 3. |
Colic may be caused by stomach pain or the baby's temperament. Babies who have colic seem to need more attention and are more sensitive to their environment than other babies. |
Tips on soothing your baby during COLIC PAIN.
You can try a number of things to soothe your baby. These may include changing the way you feed or hold your baby. Try the tips listed in the box below to see if they help your baby stop crying. First be very cool and do not panic. It will not help.
| 1. |
Feed your baby in an upright position. |
| 2. |
Burp your baby often. |
| 3. |
If you are breastfeeding, try making small changes in your own diet. Try to limit spicy foods, citrus fruits or caffeine. |
| 4. |
Rock your baby in a rocking chair or cradle. |
| 5. |
Give your baby a warm bath. |
| 6. |
Give your baby a pacifier. |
| 7. |
Gently rub your baby's stomach. |
| 8. |
Wrap or swaddle your baby in a soft blanket. |
| 9. |
Put your baby in a pram or pick them in your arms and go for a walk. |
What changes in feeding may help my baby stop crying?
Try feeding your baby if more than 2 hours have passed since the last feed.
If you feed your baby formula food, your family doctor might suggest trying a different brand. Warming the formula to body temperature before a feeding may also help.
Try using a nipple with a smaller hole on the bottle if a bottle feeding takes less than 20 minutes. Avoid feeding your baby too quickly.
Postures, correct position
Sometimes babies who have colic will respond to different ways of being held or rocked.
| 1. |
Hold your baby across your lap and massage his or her back. |
| 2. |
Hold your baby upright. This will help if your baby has gas. |
| 3. |
Hold your baby while walking. |
Colic can be very frustrating for parents. Babies who don't stop crying can be hard to care for. Any time you feel overwhelmed and frustrated; get someone else to watch your baby for a while.
If you can't find anyone to help you, try going into a nearby room and watching TV or listening to the radio. Make sure your baby will be safe without immediate supervision. Crying will not hurt your baby. Be sure you give yourself time away from your baby so you don't get too frustrated.
Call your family doctor if:
| 1. |
Your baby's cry changes from a fussy one to a painful one. |
| 2. |
Your baby stops gaining weight. |
| 3. |
Your baby has fever. |
| 4. |
You're afraid you might hurt your baby. |
a SPECIAL NOTE ON Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is characterized by frequent passage of loose or watery unformed stools.
Causes and Symptoms
Diarrhoea is one of the commonest diseases, and is commonly known as 'loose motions'. It may be acute or chronic.
The main causes of this condition are overeating or eating of wrong foods, putrefaction of food in the intestinal tract, fermentation caused by incomplete carbohydrate digestion, nervous irritability, use of antibiotic drugs, and excessive intake of laxatives. It can also be caused due to parasites, germs, virus, bacteria, or poison, allergies, emotional strain or stress in adults and fright in children.
Dietary Considerations
In severe cases, it is advisable to observe a complete fast for two days to provide rest to the gastrointestinal tract. Only hot water may be taken to compensate for the loss of liquids. Juices of fruits may be taken after the acute symptoms are over. After condition improves, meals can be enlarged gradually to include coOked vegetables, whole rice, and soured milk. Raw foods should be taken only after the CHILD completely recovers.
WATCH OUT FOR AllergIES!
Allergy is a condition characterized by a level of sensitivity greater than normal to a specific substance or group of substances. These substances, called allergens, trigger a response in susceptible children.
Allergies are mainly caused by three factors:
| 1. |
The air we breathe |
| 2. |
The food we eat |
| 3. |
Contact with an external source |
When a seemingly harmless foreign substance enters the body, a defense reaction against the foreign particle is produced in some people,
Symptoms
| 1. |
Patches of bumps or itchy, red skin that may ooze clear fluid, which may then form a crust. |
| 2. |
Development of hives, intensely itchy skin eruptions that usually last for a few hours and move from one part of the body to another. |
| 3. |
Repeated or chronic cold like symptoms - that last more than a week or two, or develop at about the same time every year. These could include a runny nose, nasal stuffiness, sneezing and throat clearing. |
| 4. |
Nose rubbing, sniffing, sneezing and itchy, runny eyes. |
| 5. |
Itching or tingling sensations in the mouth and throat. Itchiness is not usually a complaint with a cold, but it is the hallmark of an allergy problem. |
| 6. |
Coughing, wheezing, difficulty in breathing and other respiratory symptoms. |
| 7. |
Unexplained bouts of diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and other intestinal symptoms. |
Causes of common allergens at home
| 1. |
Dust (contains dust mites and finely ground particles from other allergens such as pollen and moulds). |
| 2. |
Pollen (trees, grasses, weeds) |
| 3. |
Fungi (including moulds) |
| 4. |
Furry animals (cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other pets) |
| 5. |
Clothing and toys made, trimmed, or stuffed with animal hair |
| 6. |
Latex (household articles such as utensils, toys, balloons, elastic in socks, underwear, and other clothing, airborne particles) |
| 7. |
Seed dusts (toys and cushions) |
| 8. |
Bacterial enzymes (used to manufacture enzyme bleaches and cleaning products) |
| 9. |
Foods such as cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts, soy, wheat and gluten, and corn. |
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