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Posts Tagged "Infection"

13Jun2023

Health Matters 10 Diseases to Prepare for as a First-Year Parent

Becoming a parent for the first time is a thrilling and joyful experience, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility, particularly regarding your child’s health. As a new parent, you must be aware of the prevalent illnesses that can affect infants in their first year of life. By becoming familiar with these diseases, you will be better prepared to recognize their symptoms, seek appropriate medical care, and take preventative measures. In this blog post, we will discuss ten diseases that first-year parents should be prepared to manage and offer advice on how to do so.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is a prevalent respiratory infection in infants and young children. It causes cold-like symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, and congestion. In severe instances, it may result in bronchitis or pneumonia. To prevent RSV, practice proper hygiene, avoid exposing your infant to ill individuals, and maintain a clean environment for your child.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort. It is frequently caused by bacterial or viral infections. Frequent handwashing, appropriate food handling, and maintaining a clean environment can aid in preventing the spread of this disease.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

HFMD is a viral illness that affects young children predominantly. Symptoms include fever, sore pharynx, and a rash on the hands, feet, and mouth. Good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding intimate contact with infected people, can reduce the likelihood of transmission.

Infections of the Ear

Ear infections are common in infants and adolescents. They frequently occur after a respiratory infection and can cause ear irritation, fever, and agitation. Ear infections can be prevented by breastfeeding, avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke, and practicing excellent hygiene.

Common Cold

The common cold is caused by a viral infection and is characterized by runny nose, wheezing, and mild fever. By practicing good hand hygiene, avoiding crowded places, and maintaining a clean environment for your infant, you can reduce the likelihood that he or she will acquire a cold.

Influenza (Flu)

Influenza is an extremely contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe complications in infants. Annual flu vaccinations, excellent hygiene, and avoiding close contact with sick people are essential for preventing influenza.

Croup

Croup is a viral infection of the upper airway that causes a barking cough and respiratory difficulties. Croup can be prevented by keeping your baby’s environment clean, using a humidifier, and avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) is an inflammation of the thin membrane that covers the eye, the conjunctiva. It causes eye redness, irritation, and discharge. Good hygiene, avoiding the sharing of personal items, and prompt medical attention can aid in the management and prevention of conjunctivitis.

Thrush

Thrush is a prevalent fungal infection that affects infants. It appears on the tongue and inside the mouth as white regions. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene for your infant, sterilizing pacifiers and bottles, and, if necessary, seeking medical treatment can help prevent and treat thrush.

Respiratory Tract Infections (Bronchiolitis, Pneumonia)

Respiratory tract infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia can cause difficulty breathing, fever, and wheezing in infants. Practicing proper hygiene, avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke, and maintaining a clean and secure living environment can help reduce the likelihood of contracting these infections.

As a first-year parent, it is crucial that you are familiar with the common maladies that can affect your infant. By becoming familiar with these ten diseases and implementing preventive measures, you can protect your child’s health and ensure a joyful and healthy first year of life. Remember, if your infant displays any concerning symptoms, it is always advisable to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

 

 

Pediatrics
15Oct2021

Dealing with a Cold in the Age of COVID-19

As the seasons change from summer to autumn, many children begin to get the first sniffles of the year. While you might have easily been able to write this off in the past, the continued prevalence of COVID-19 has made even what might have once been an inconsequential cough seem overly threatening. As such, it’s incredibly important to know how to deal with something like the common cold in times of more heightened scrutiny.

Understanding the Symptoms

The first and perhaps most important thing you’ll need to know how to do is to separate out symptoms of the common cold from COVID symptoms. While some of the symptoms, like a cough or even a mild fever, might be present in both, there are other symptoms that are relatively unique to COVID. For example, any loss of a child’s sense of smell or taste is usually a good sign that a test is needed, as are stomach problems like diarrhea. Respiratory issues are also an issue, as you’ll want to seek care if your child is having trouble breathing even if they aren’t positive for COVID-19.

It’s also generally a better idea to be safe than to be sorry. If you think that your child’s cold is more than just a cold, keep them home even if they don’t seem to have serious symptoms. If the symptoms persist or get worse, call your pediatrician to get guidance. In many cases, your pediatrician will suggest that you get your child tested.

One of the toughest things to deal with is the fact that the common cold is just as likely to occur as it ever was. Unfortunately, this means that you’re going to have to deal with many false alarms during this cold and flu season, but that’s just the nature of the world today. As long as you’re careful and consult with your doctor as necessary, you can help to safeguard your child’s health.

Pediatrics
23May2020

Teaching Children About Germs

When your children were infants, they loved to put everything in their mouths and had no qualms about rubbing their eyes every chance they got. Now that they are older, they may still have some of these same bad habits and may frequently come back from school with nasty colds or stomach viruses. By teaching your children about germs, they can understand better how bacteria and viruses are transferred from person to person and can become better stewards of their own health.

Your first inclination may be to sit down and have a talk with your child. However, most children become quickly bored by lengthy discussions. If they have nothing to look at during the discussion, the words you say are highly unlikely to make their way into your children’s memories. Instead, you need to teach them about germs by using something that sticks out to them and engages their senses.

Utilizing the Tools of Technology

One of the easiest options is to show your children a video about germs. There are plenty of free videos about this subject online today. Plus, nearly all children love watching videos. A video can help get across the message that germs are quite powerful even though they are unseen. To ensure that the message of the video has been made clear to your children, ask them to repeat back to you what they were taught.

While engaging one of the senses through watching a video can be powerful, an even more powerful teaching option is to engage at least two of the senses simultaneously through a demonstration. Find something that your children can not only watch but also test out with their hands. One example is putting glitter on your children’s hands and having them watch how the glitter gets on everything they touch.

As your children hear you talk to them about germs while watching you demonstrate germ transfer and getting to test it out for themselves, these new concepts will make their way more fully into their conscious thoughts. 
Although it will not happen overnight, your children will gradually start making smarter decisions about touching their faces, washing their hands frequently, and practicing good hygiene around others when they are ill. Until then, you do not have to feel bad about continuing to remind your children to cover their mouths when coughing or to keep their hands off their faces.

Pediatrics
21Dec2019

’Tis the Season for…

With winter right around the corner, it is time for parents across the community to prepare for wintertime illnesses. When your child suddenly comes home from school with a sore throat, muscle aches, or stomach pain, you want to know what he is fighting so that you can treat it properly.

Common Cold

It is nearly a given that your child will come down with a cold this winter as most children get up to 10 colds every year. Because this is a virus with typically mild symptoms, your child will most likely not need to see a doctor unless the illness worsens. However, he will need plenty of liquids and may need medication to bring down a fever.

Influenza

Although influenza is less common than a cold, almost half of children contract it each year. It is set apart from colds by the high fever, chills, and body aches that accompany it. Children over the age of 6 months should have the influenza vaccination every year. Most children who catch this illness can get over it on their own.

Stomach Flu

This illness may be called the flu but is correctly labeled as gastroenteritis. Most children with gastroenteritis have a stomachache along with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 to 48 hours. Hydration is vital.

Strep Throat

If your child has strep throat, he will have a very sore throat along with a fever, stomach pain, and difficulty swallowing. However, he will not have a runny nose. A simple throat swab from your pediatrician ensures that the illness is correctly diagnosed and treated with antibiotics.

Ear Infection

Many very young children end up with ear infections and spend time rubbing or pulling at their ears. If your child has a fever along with these symptoms, some acetaminophen or ibuprofen should limit the discomfort. If symptoms do not resolve in a few days, you should visit your pediatrician for professional help.

Whooping Cough

Although less common these days than it once was, whooping cough seems to be making a bit of a comeback in recent years. Initially, symptoms feel like a common cold but will progress to a terrible cough during which your child makes a whooping sound.

Be sure to contact Kids 1st Pediatrics to set up an appointment time for the influenza vaccine or to request a same-day or next-day appointment for your child.

Pediatrics
12Oct2019

Welcome Fall. Welcome Stomach Bugs?

Once fall arrives, children are spending more time indoors and at school where viral and bacterial diseases are easily passed from child to child via dirty surfaces, unclean hands, and unhygienic practices. While outbreaks of the stomach flu can certainly occur at any time during the year, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention cautions parents and health care providers that the most prevalent time of year for stomach bugs is from the late fall to early spring. Therefore, now is the time to look out for ways to prevent stomach bugs from passing through your household and to understand what you should do if they do arrive.

First, keep in mind that what you commonly call the stomach flu is not a type of influenza at all. In fact, it is generally a virus that causes something known as gastroenteritis. While traditional influenza brings respiratory complaints, gastroenteritis primarily affects the digestive system, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomachaches depending on the individual. Moreover, because gastroenteritis is not actually the flu, it cannot be prevented by the flu vaccine.

Second, you should know that stomach bugs are highly contagious and are difficult to prevent passing between family members. If the bug is in your house, try to keep the sick child in a separate room, and have him use his own bathroom if possible. Be sure to clean up with anti-bacterial wipes regularly. To prevent the bug from entering your house in the first place, teach your children to keep their hands away from their faces and to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water as soon as they come inside.

Third, if your child does come home from school with the stomach bug, you should know that it will most likely run its course in 24 to 48 hours. Keep him at home and comfortable. Follow the BRAT diet, which includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast and stays away from hard-to-digest foods. In addition, keep him hydrated with specially formulated rehydrating liquids, such as Pedialyte.

If your child’s illness continues for more than 48 hours or if he displays signs of dehydration, such as lethargy or very cool and dry skin, take him in to see his doctor. Kids 1st Pediatrics can often offer same-day appointments for sick children and is always glad to accept new patients.

Pediatrics
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