When you’re a parent, you become hyper-aware of the world around you. Everything your child does and says takes on added meaning. You notice small details about them that other people might not see, and it can be worrying at times. Are they eating enough? Do they seem happy? Do they cry too much? Are they crying too little? These are all questions that run through parents’ heads almost constantly.
There are so many things to know as a parent, but there is one thing that is more important than any other: your child’s health. That might seem like an obvious thing to say, but it’s easy to get caught up in busy days or even the simple stressors of being a parent. It doesn’t take much to risk your child’s health, which is why it is so important to be aware of the common conditions and illnesses that children face from time to time.
Asthma attacks
Asthma is an illness that is relatively common in childhood. It is triggered by the immune system, and it causes the airways in the lungs to become inflamed. There are a number of different triggers that can cause an asthma attack, including cold weather, exercise, allergens in the air, and mould spores. Treatments for asthma include inhalers that open up the airways, and medication that reduces inflammation in the airways. If your child has asthma, it will be important to learn how to recognise signs of an asthmatic attack. These include difficulty breathing, coughing, and feeling chest pain.
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a viral infection that affects the airways of children under the age of two. It is one of the most common causes of illness in babies and toddlers, and it is spread through coughing and sneezing from one child to another. Some symptoms of bronchiolitis include a high temperature, a cough with coloured phlegm, and general fussiness and irritability. There is no specific treatment for bronchiolitis; the infection will run its course and children will usually get better after about a week. It is important to keep your child hydrated with lots of fluids, including breast milk or formula.
Common cold
A common cold is a viral infection that causes a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, and a sore throat. Because they are caused by a virus, there is no specific cure for colds. Most people will just have to wait them out, and their bodies will fight off the infection naturally. During this time, it is important to follow best practices to reduce the spread of the virus and to rest and hydrate as best you can with a cold. You can help your child with a cold by keeping them hydrated with lots of fluids, and keeping them warm in cold weather.
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Diarrhoea and vomiting are two symptoms that often appear together, and they’re usually caused by a stomach bug and should pass in a few days. If your child has diarrhoea and vomiting, it is important to keep hydrated and to keep them away from other children. Diarrhoea and vomiting can be spread easily by hands and germs left on toys, which is why isolation is a good idea. It is hard to predict what is causing the vomiting and diarrhoea, but it is important to make sure that your child is getting plenty of fluids, even if they are vomiting.
Ear infections
Ear infections are very common in young children, especially those that are under one year old. Ear infections are usually an infection of the middle ear (infections of the parts of the ear behind the eardrum), which is filled with fluid. It is caused by bacteria or viruses travelling from the back of the nose to the middle ear.
You can help protect your child from ear infections by keeping them away from people who are sick and who may be a risk for spreading the infection. You can also help your child reduce their risk of getting ear infections by keeping them hydrated with plenty of fluids, such as breast milk or formula, and by reducing their exposure to loud noises, such as lawn mowers or other loud machinery.
Fever
Fevers are caused by the immune system fighting bacteria or viruses in the body, and they can indicate that your child has come into contact with an illness. Fever is important for fighting infections, and it is helpful to the body, but it can also cause discomfort and exhaustion, and it can be very worrying for parents. There are a number of things you can do to reduce the discomfort of a fever and to keep your child comfortable and hydrated. These include keeping them in a cool room, giving them plenty of fluids, such as water or ice lollies, and changing their clothes if they become too warm.
Skin Infection
Some types of bacteria can cause skin rashes and infections. These are common in children who are not yet fully vaccinated, or who have a weakened immune system. Wash your hands, and keep your child away from other people’s hands as much as possible to keep skin infections at bay.
Sore Throat
Most sore throats are caused by a virus, and there is no specific treatment you can use to get rid of them. You can help alleviate the symptoms of a sore throat by keeping your child hydrated with plenty of fluids, and by keeping them warm and away from people who are coughing.
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are very common in young children, especially babies who are in day care. A UTI is caused by bacteria travelling up the urethra and into the bladder, and you can treat it with antibiotics. Urinary tract infections can be very painful, and they can also cause blood in the urine.
Looking after a Sick Child
Your child’s health visitor, practice nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or GP can all provide advice on how to deal with your child’s medical issues. Your physician can treat your child and prescribe medications, as well as diagnose illnesses and suggest treatments in some cases.
Your local surgery may be able to assist if your child is ill. If your child is exhibiting serious symptoms, go straight to the emergency department of your local hospital, or contact your GP directly. If the clinic is closed, you may seek assistance from GP out of hours services.
If you’re looking a general list of A-Z health conditions including their symptoms, causes and treatments for yourself and family members then you’ll find all the common conditions and illnesses available for research.
Conclusion
Being a parent is a tough job, but it is also one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. Being a parent means being responsible for another human being, and that is an extremely important role, which is why it is so important to keep your child’s health a top priority. You can’t prevent every health problem or infection that your child is exposed to, and there are some things in life that are out of our control, but you can do your best to keep your child’s health on track.
