Otitis Media
Posted by editor
A disease common to infants and young children, otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. This inflammation begins when the infections that cause sore throats, colds or other respiratory breathing problem spread to the middle ear. The ear will start to inflame and sometimes even the outer ear up to the cheeks could swell. It could secrete fluid or pus. When this happens a doctor usually prescribes local and oral antibiotic depending on how severe the case is. Make sure to follow the doctor’s instructions. For local antibiotic, if the ear is filled with pus, it can be cleaned first with drops of hydrogen peroxide on the infected ear. Let it stay for about a minute then position the child leaning sideways to drain the fluid together with the pus.
Scarlet Fever
Posted by Alex
Scarlet fever is a disease that usually affects children, but it can occur in any age group. Caused by the streptococcus bacteria, this is a rash that is usually accompanied by a sore throat. A child can get infected with the bacteria either through airborne droplets or by physical contact. Incubation period takes about two to four days.
The characteristic symptoms of scarlet fever are a “strawberry tongue” (a thick white coating on the tongue that peels within four or five days) and a rash that appears twelve hours within the onset of the disease. Consult a general practitioner as soon as symptoms appear. Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics usually resolved without further complication. To reduce the pain when swallowing, give your child soft food and hot drinks.
Measles
Posted by editor
The most deadly of all childhood rash illnesses, measles is a contagious vaccine preventable disease. MMR vaccine can be your child’s protection against the disease. It is given in two doses. First dose is during infancy, 12 to 15 months and second dose at 5 years old, just before kindergarten. Although this is not a hundred percent assurance that your child will not get the disease, having vaccination could prevent its severity. Lack of vaccines can cause severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. Measles is an airborne disease. It begins with a fever followed by a cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis. Rashes start on the face and neck, spreads down the back and trunk, then extends to the arms and hands then to the legs and feet. The rash will fade in the same order as it appeared.
Three Day Fever
Posted by Alex
Three day fever is common among children aged three and below. It is usually contagious during the period of the disease and two to three days after, making outbreaks common in closed quarters. Incubation period is around 10 to 15 days from being exposed to someone infected with the symptoms. A child with three day fever usually runs a fever for several days while a rash covers his or her entire body.
If your child has three day fever, the best thing to do is wait for it to pass. In the meantime, undress the child to make sure that he or she isn’t feeling warm. Give the child medicine that will reduce the fever (like paracetamol) and control the temperature as much as possible. Also give him or her plenty of fluid to avoid dehydration.
Croup
Posted by Alex
Croup is a respiratory disease that affects children and infants under the age six. Its symptoms are usually a harsh barking cough, a whistling sound when the child breathes in, and hoarse voice due to an obstruction in the larynx. Depending on the case it can be mind, moderate or severe; with severe cases, it can be fatal if it is not treated immediately.
Treatment of croup depends on the symptoms. For mild croup, a dose if inhaled, injected, or oral steroids may be given. Dexamethason is used along with steroids because of its prolonged physiological effects. Moderate to severe croup is typically treated with nebulized adrenaline and steroids. If the condition persists, the child could be hospitalized for observation for a day or two.
Chicken Pox
Posted by Alex
Chicken pox is one of the five childhood rashes and is caused by the human herpes virus 3. It is a very contagious disease that spreads through direct contact or by the air from an infected person’s sneezing or coughing. Physical contact with the fluid from a chicken pox blister can also spread the disease. A chicken pox patient is contagious a day or two before the rash appears until blisters form. The younger a child is, the milder the chicken pox is. Antihistamine medication or sodium bicarbonate in baths usually help ease the itching, and paracetamol is given to reduce the fever.
Fifth Disease
Posted by Alex
Fifth disease is a rash that is also referred to as erythema infectiosum (infectious redness) or as slapped cheek syndrome or slapped face, and usually occurs among children aged five to fifteen. Outbreaks of the disease usually arise in schools and nurseries; however, once a child has the rash, he is no longer infectuous. The defining symptom of the infection is bright red cheeks in children (hence the “slapped cheek syndrome) and may extend to the bridge of the nose or over the mouth. Besides the red cheeks, the child may also develop a rash all over the torso, upper arms, and the legs. This could last for a couple of weeks or months, depending on the case, and may be itchy. Fifth disease is a very mild infection, but among pregnant women and those with sickle-cell anemia, it could pose some serious consequences.