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HEALTH TIPS FOR DISEASE PREVENTION &BETTER HEALTH

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CHILDHOOD ILLNESS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW

by Power User Mr Jake on April 19, 2011

Children's Health Pictures: Childhood Illnesses Every Parent Should Know

Childhood Illnesses: The Facts

A sick child wiping his nose.

While vaccines have made some childhood illnesses rare, many others remain a fact of life. They range from common infections like croup to mysterious ailments like Kawasaki disease. In the following slides, you'll learn the facts about two dozen childhood illnesses. But be sure to consult your pediatrician for proper diagnosis and treatment.

RSV

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, and it's the top cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) and pneumonia in U.S. infants. The infection begins with flu-like symptoms, including a fever, runny nose, and cough. Up to 40% of young children with their first RSV infection will develop noticeable wheezing, and up to 2% will require hospitalization. RSV tends to be milder in older kids and adults.

Ear Infection

Diagram of an ear infection.

Young children are prone to ear infections because of their small Eustachian tubes. These tubes connect the ears to the throat, and they may get blocked when a cold causes inflammation. This traps fluid inside the middle ear, behind the eardrum, allowing germs to breed. The symptoms include fever, fussiness, and ear-pulling. Most ear infections are due to viruses and go away on their own. Childhood vaccinations help prevent infections from certain bacteria that can cause ear infections.

Glue Ear

Photo of glue ear.

Glue ear refers to a buildup of fluid in the middle ear without any pain. The medical term for glue ear is otitis media with effusion or OME, and it often follows an acute ear infection. The fluid usually clears up on its own. If it lingers and threatens to interfere with a child's hearing, ear tubes may be recommended to help the fluid drain.

Croup

A boy with croup virus.

The hallmark of croup is a tight cough that sounds like a barking seal. The cause of the cough is inflammation in the upper airways, usually due to a virus. If breathing becomes severely impaired, hospital treatment may be needed. However, most kids get better on their own in about a week. Croup is most common in toddlers.

Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

A photo of hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease causes a fever along with blisters on the inside of the mouth, the palms of the hands, the buttocks, and the soles of the feet. In the U.S., it is usually caused by coxsackievirus A16. This virus tends to spread among children during summer and early fall. Most cases are not serious and last a week to 10 days.

Pinkeye

A boy with pinkeye.

Tearing, redness, itching, and crusty eyelashes are all signs of conjunctivitis, commonly called pinkeye. Often caused by the same viruses as the common cold, pinkeye spreads rapidly in schools and day care centers. Consult your pediatrician to determine whether your child needs treatment. Most cases clear up in four to seven days.

Fifth Disease

Fifth disease on the face.

Often called "slapped cheek" disease, fifth disease causes a bright red rash on a child's face. A rash may also appear on the torso, arms, or legs. The culprit is human parvovirus B19, a virus that may cause mild cold-like symptoms before the rash is seen. Up to 20% of kids get it by age 5, and up to 60% have had it by age 19. The rash usually disappears in seven to 10 days.

Rotavirus

Photo of rotavirus.

Before the introduction of an effective vaccine, rotavirus was the top cause of diarrhea-related deaths in young children. The main

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12 Comments

Success Coach *Nico`S iFanBox* · Become a Fan

Good job ! Most important is our children health

25 months ago
Power User Mr Jake · Become a Fan

yes..Nicoleta that is true...thanks a lot for the comment..God Bless

25 months ago
Power User Jenny Lee · Become a Fan

wow! now I'm going to see a red spot on my son and think oh no! :-) Thanks for all the information though :)

25 months ago
Power User Mr Jake · Become a Fan

your most welcome...Jenny...God Bless you and your family...take care

25 months ago
Power User Mr Jake · Become a Fan

thanks for your comments:Jenny and libralady..

25 months ago
Power User Mr Jake · Become a Fan

thanks!

23 months ago
Cherie Barasi · Become a Fan

Very nice post,and thanks for sharing...

22 months ago
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20 months ago