July 28th, 2010 by admin
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Influenza, commonly known as “the flu,” is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Although the flu affects both sexes and all age groups, kids tend to get it more often than adults. The illness even has its own season — from November to April, with most cases occurring between late December and early March.
Signs and Symptoms
The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and stuffiness of a cold.
Symptoms of the flu may include:
» Read more: Influenza (Flu)
July 28th, 2010 by admin
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Every year, your family probably faces its share of colds, sore throats, and viruses. When you bring your child to the doctor for these illnesses, do you automatically expect a prescription for antibiotics?
Many parents do. And they’re surprised, maybe even angry, if they leave the doctor’s office empty-handed — after all, what parent doesn’t want their kid to get well as quickly as possible? But your doctor could be doing you and your child a favor by not reaching for the prescription pad.
How Antibiotics Work
Antibiotics, first used in the 1940s, are certainly one of the great advances in medicine. But overprescribing them has resulted in the development of bacteria that don’t respond to antibiotics that may have worked in the past. Plus, kids who take antibiotics when they aren’t necessary run the risk of adverse reactions, such as stomach upset and diarrhea.
To understand how antibiotics work, it helps to know about the two major types of germs that can make people sick: bacteria and viruses. Although certain bacteria and viruses cause diseases with similar symptoms, the ways these two organisms multiply and spread illness are different:
» Read more: Antibiotic Overuse
July 28th, 2010 by admin
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Coughs are one of the most common symptoms of childhood illness. Although a cough can sound awful, it’s not usually a sign of a serious condition. In fact, coughing is a healthy and important reflex that helps protect the airways in the throat and chest.
But sometimes, your child’s cough will warrant a trip to the doctor. Understanding what different types of cough could mean will help you know how to take care of them and when to go to the doctor.
“Barky” Cough
Barky coughs are usually caused by a swelling in the upper part of the airway. Most of the time, a barky cough comes from croup, a swelling of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe).
Croup usually is the result of a virus, but it can also come from allergies or a change in temperature at night. Younger children have smaller airways that, if swollen, can make it hard to breathe. Kids younger than 3 years old are at the most risk for croup because their windpipes are so narrow.
» Read more: Your Child’s Cough
July 28th, 2010 by admin
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Most of the time, vomiting in children is caused by gastroenteritis, usually due to a virus infecting the gastrointestinal tract. (Gastroenteritis is sometimes called the “stomach flu,” which can also cause nausea and diarrhea.)
These infections usually don’t last long and are more disruptive than dangerous. However, kids (especially infants) who are unable to take in enough fluids and also have diarrhea could become dehydrated.
It’s important to stay calm — vomiting is frightening for young children (and parents, too) and exhausting for kids of all ages. Offering plenty of reassurance to your child and taking measures to prevent dehydration are key for a quick recovery.
For Infants Under 6 Months
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July 28th, 2010 by admin
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Whether they’re pounding and throbbing or dull and aching, headaches are common in kids. Headaches can have a wide range of causes and many levels of severity. It’s important to understand how to recognize when a headache is just a passing pain and when it’s something more and requires medical attention.
Causes of Headaches
Headaches are thought to be caused by changes in chemicals, nerves, or blood vessels in the area. These changes send pain messages to the brain and bring on a headache.
In general, kids get the same types of headaches as adults. And headaches often are hereditary, so if a parent gets them, their kids might too.
» Read more: Headaches
July 28th, 2010 by admin
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Under normal conditions, we all lose some body water every day in our sweat, tears, urine, and stool. Water also evaporates from our skin and leaves the body as vapor when we breathe. We usually replace this body fluid and the salts it contains with the water and salts in our regular diet.
Sometimes, however, kids lose abnormally large amounts of water and salts through fever (more water evaporates from the body when body temperature is increased), diarrhea, vomiting, or long periods of exercise with excessive sweating. Some illnesses might also prevent them from taking fluids by mouth. If they’re unable to adequately replace the fluid that’s been lost, kids can become dehydrated.
Recognizing Dehydration
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July 28th, 2010 by admin
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Pneumonia is a general term that refers to an infection of the lungs, which can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Often pneumonia begins after an upper respiratory tract infection (an infection of the nose and throat). When this happens, symptoms of pneumonia begin after 2 or 3 days of a cold or sore throat.
Signs and Symptoms
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July 28th, 2010 by admin
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You’ve probably experienced waking in the middle of the night to find your child flushed, hot, and sweaty. Your little one’s forehead feels warm. You immediately suspect a fever, but are unsure of what to do next. Should you get out the thermometer? Call the doctor?
In healthy kids, fevers usually don’t indicate anything serious. Although it can be frightening when your child’s temperature rises, fever itself causes no harm and can actually be a good thing — it’s often the body’s way of fighting infections. And not all fevers need to be treated. High fever, however, can make a child uncomfortable and worsen problems such as dehydration.
Here’s more about fevers, how to measure and treat them, and when to call your doctor.
» Read more: Fever and Taking Your Child’s Temperature
July 28th, 2010 by admin
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Unlike some other infections, when the flu is uncomplicated, it doesn’t usually require medical treatment. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine (if symptoms are reported within 48 hours of onset), but these usually only shorten the course of the infection by just 1 or 2 days, and most times are only used when a child is at risk for serious complications.
Here’s how to help your child feel better in the meantime:
» Read more: Tips for Treating the Flu
July 28th, 2010 by admin
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If your child has been diagnosed with H1N1 influenza (swine flu) you might be worried about how to provide home care. The truth is, there isn’t much difference between caring for a child with the H1N1 flu versus one with the seasonal flu.
The H1N1 flu is still a flu virus — so rest, relaxation, and drinking plenty of fluids should be at the top of the treatment list.
Still, parents should be aware of some special considerations when it comes to this new flu strain:
* Younger kids and those with chronic conditions are more at risk for problems. Ask your doctor about antiviral medicines (which can prevent symptoms from worsening) for kids 5 years old or younger or who have a chronic condition like heart disease, asthma, or diabetes. For the maximum benefit, these should be given as early as possible.
* H1N1 flu passes easily from person-to-person. Since relatively few people are currently vaccinated against the virus, it’s important to follow care measures that limit the spread of the illness in the home and community.
» Read more: If your child has been diagnosed with H1N1 influenza (swine flu)
