Diseases of older children – colds, flu, ear infections. How to prevent and treat?

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Childhood is a period when the immune system is still developing. There are so many childhood, contagious and non-communicable diseases that it is impossible to list them all here. However, it is worth getting to know at least a few of them.

Diseases of older children – persistent cough

Children often cough when they have a cold. Usually it goes away on its own and is not serious. If your little one eats, drinks, sleeps and breathes normally, you don’t need to panic. However, if he has a severe cough that doesn’t go away, see your doctor. Common causes include croup, whooping cough, asthma, pneumonia, or foreign body ingestion. Take your baby to the doctor if:

1. has a high temperature,
2. persistent (longer than 2 weeks) or unusual cough,
3. breathing difficulties,
4. coughing attacks at night
5. apathy, excessive fatigue or discomfort
6. the skin changes color and turns blue or very pale.

Although the coughing is annoying, it helps clear mucus from the chest or back of the throat.

Also read:

1. Wet cough in a child
2. Dry cough in a child

Diseases of older children – sore throat

The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection such as a cold or throat. A child may then have a dry and sore throat for a day or two before they develop an infection. You can give him paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Most often, a sore throat goes away on its own after a few days. Consult your doctor if your little one has difficulty swallowing or breathing or is drooling more than usual. Symptoms may also include a fever, or a stiff or swollen neck.

1. Find out more about viral pharyngitis

Diseases of older children – colds

A preschool child may catch a cold up to 6 times a year. After all, there are hundreds of viruses. Young children are not immune to them yet. They only gradually build up immunity. Then they start to get sick less often.

An antibiotic does not help with colds as it does not cure viral infections. Most colds go away after 5-7 days.

How to cure a cold in a child?

To reduce the discomfort of a cold, you can:

1. put drops of saline (salt water) in the nostrils to relieve nasal congestion,
2. turn on a humidifier with a cool mist to increase air humidity,
3. rub petroleum jelly on the skin under the nose to soothe irritation and redness,
4. give lozenges or cough drops (only for children over 6 years of age),
5. take a warm bath or prepare a hot water bottle to relieve pain.

There is no real evidence that chicken soup will actually cure a cold. However, patients have been using it for hundreds of years. The broth contains a mucus-thinning amino acid called cysteine. Some experts say it also helps to control white blood cell levels.

How to prevent colds in children?

Make sure your child washes their hands properly and often. Remind you not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth with your dirty hands. You can also boost his immune system by making sure he gets enough sleep, eat healthy food, and move a lot.

Diseases of older children – ear infections

They are common in babies and toddlers. Often they follow a cold. Sometimes they are accompanied by high temperatures. Children may pull or rub their ear. The little one does not always know where the pain comes from. That’s why she cries when she feels discomfort.

You can give your toddler paracetamol every 4-6 hours or ibuprofen every 6-8 hours. Do not put any oils or cotton buds in the ear unless your doctor tells you to. Most ear infections are caused by viruses that cannot be treated with antibiotics.

1. Find out more about your baby’s earache

Otitis media in a child

With repeated middle ear infections (otitis media), a sticky fluid builds up in the ear. May affect hearing problems. If you have noticed speech or behavior disorders, take your child to the doctor’s office.

Diseases of older children – mumps

It is an infectious viral infection. It occurs most often in children 5-15 years old. A characteristic symptom is a painful swelling under the ears (parotid glands). It may be accompanied by headache and joint pain and high temperature.

It’s spread by close contact or by coughing and sneezing. Paramyxoviruses are a common source of infection, especially in children. When mumps develops, the virus travels from the airways (nose, mouth and throat) to the parotid glands (glands that produce saliva) where it begins to multiply. This causes the glands to become inflamed and swollen.

1. Read more about mumps

Diseases of older children – conjunctivitis

The child may complain of eye irritation or sensitivity to light. Sometimes there is also excessive tearing or discharge, swollen eyelids and reddening of the whites of the eyes. The cause of conjunctivitis may be an infection or an allergy.

It usually goes away on its own without any treatment. However, if it is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic in the form of drops or ointments. Regardless of the treatment required, it is a good idea to take your child to the pediatrician.

1. Get more information on conjunctivitis in children

Diseases of older children – flu

Flu is a very contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory tract. It causes high fever, body aches, cough, and other symptoms. It is one of the most serious and common viral diseases of the winter season.

There are three types of flu viruses:

1. Type A and B: cause an epidemic almost every winter. Viruses change (mutate) frequently. This means that we are exposed to new varieties every year.
2. Type CL causes very mild or no symptoms of respiratory disease. It does not cause an epidemic.

How is influenza treated in children?

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age and overall health. It’s supposed to prevent or alleviate symptoms. It may include symptoms such as:

1. Acetaminophen: Relieves pain and fever. Do not give aspirin to a child with a fever.
2. Cough medicine.
3. Antiviral drug: Relieves symptoms and reduces the duration of the disease. It is worth remembering that it does not cure the flu. You should start taking it within 2 days of the onset of symptoms.

Diseases of older children – gastroenteritis

It is also called stomach flu. It’s gastroenteritis that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. Most often it is caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.

Keep your baby well hydrated during stomach flu. He can drink water or a rehydration solution that contains electrolytes. Call your doctor if:

1. you have a high fever
2. breathing difficulties,
3. lack of appetite and refusing to eat for more than a few days,
4. dehydration.