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Common Childhood Infections

There was a time when childhood infections killed thousands of children. Today, vaccines protect against many of those infections, but you cannot immunize your child against every infectious disease. If you know the signs and symptoms of the most common childhood infections, you can at least help your sick child get better. It is also important to know when to contact you pediatrician. Do so if you see signs of any of the following illnesses and are concerned (especially if your child is under 2 months of age.) Use this page as a guide to common childhood infections.

Causes of Infections:

Most infections in children are caused by viruses, but they can also be caused by bacteria. Bacteria can live in certain parts of the body with causing any harm. They cause infections when they move to parts of the body where they do not belong. The can also come into the body from the outside; in the body they can cause an infection that requires treatment with an antibiotic. Most viral diseases are not treated with an antibiotic because antibiotics do not work on viruses. Instead, the body get rid of viruses on its own. When your child has a virus, your pediatrician will tell you how to make your child more comfortable. You should also make sure your child gets plenty of rest and eats a balanced diet.

Impetigo (skin infection) Powered by Podbean.com Your child may have a skin infection called impetigo if a scratch turns into a yellow, oozing, crusty sore surrounded by redness. Impetigo can spread on the skin quickly. It can also spread to other people if they touch the infected skin lesions, by fingers, or from soiled clothing. This infection is most common in warm weather. An antibiotic, taken by mouth or in ointment form, is used to treat impetigo. If any of these illnesses or infections develop, remember that your pediatrician is your best source help. Most important, if the illness or infection does not seem to go away, or appears to get worse, your pediatrician needs to know. Always call when you are concerned!

Ear Infection Powered by Podbean.com Occasionally, children with colds will develop an earache. Since younger infants cannot complain of ear pain, be on the lookout for other signs. Fussiness, fever, or fluid draining from your child's ear may mean your child has an ear infection. If your child has any of those symptoms, your pediatrician will examine her/him to determine if an ear infection is present. If there is one, he or she may prescribe an antibiotic to kill the bacteria that cause the infection. Be sure to give your child the full dose of the antibiotic for the whole time it is prescribed. This is important even if symptoms go away within a few days. You can give acetaminophen (in a dose recommended by your pediatrician) to ease any ear pain, but do not give him/her aspirin. Aspirin has been linked with Reye syndrome, a serious disease that affects the liver and brain. After your child finishes the antibiotic, the pediatrician should check her/ his ears again. Even after the pain and fever have gone, fluid can still remain. This can lead to more infections or future hearing problems. Read more >>

Sinusitis Powered by Podbean.com When your child has a cold, the sinuses around his nose often get stuffy and swollen. Sometimes the mucus in the sinuses may get infected with bacteria. When this happens, your child has a sinus infection. Sinusitis usually develops after your child has had a cold for at least 10 days. Signs of sinusitis are: persistent nasal discharge • fever • a cough during the day and night, that often gets worse at night • tenderness in the face • headaches An antibiotic will destroy the bacteria that causes sinusitis.

Strep Throat Powered by Podbean.com Strep throat is a bacterial infection. On rare occasions it can lead to serious problems if not treated. Strep usually develops in children over 3 years of age. Signs of step include a sore throat, fever, and swollen glands in the neck. (If there is also a skin rash, the condition is called scarlet fever). Since many viruses can cause the same symptoms as strep, your pediatrician will need to test for strep to be sure your child has it. To do this, he or she will obtain a throat culture or do a rapid strep test. If your child does have strep throat, your pediatrician will prescribe an antibiotic that will destroy the strep germ. After 24 to 36 hours of antibiotic treatment, your child is no longer contagious and should start to feel better. Remember to have your child finish all the medicine. If you stop treatment too early, the infection may come back or cause other problems. If not treated, strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever. This can cause damage to the heart and swelling of the joints. Untreated strep throat can also lead to kidney disease and a number of other health problems.

For more information contact your local health department or physician.

* This information is not a substitute for professional medical care. Diagnosis and treatment should be done only by your health care provider. For more information contact your local health department or physician.

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