Every parent loves to see their children going to school regularly and keeping up with their morning routines and homework. School is important as it helps children gain knowledge and develop interpersonal skills but can also be a place where kids are exposed to various deadly illnesses. Here are 5 common illnesses that children can catch at school. Read on.
1. Common Cold
A cold triggers an autoimmune response in the body that causes coughing, sore throat, sneezing, and headaches. The common drill is to treat the fever, coughing, sore throat, and congestion with rest and lots of fluids. Children may also develop a stuffy or runny nose accompanied by fever. If the fever persists for more than 5 days and is accompanied by diarrhea or nausea, you should consult a physician. Although it is rare for a common cold to turn into grave conditions like pneumonia, it is still advisable to consult a doctor when the symptoms tend to worsen.
2. Flu or Influenza
Flu can come on fast and hit harder. The symptoms of flu include fever up to 40 degrees Celsius, chills, body aches, cough, sore throat, and sometimes even vomiting and diarrhea. In comparison to a common cold, the flu is characterized by more noticeable fever and body aches. However, a child may experience less sore throat, runny nose, or coughs. Generally, flu tends to be severe and the child may have to be confined to the bed when fighting the illness. When flu affects a child, the chances of developing pneumonia are higher.
3. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Hand, foot and mouth disease affects people of all age groups, but it is young children below the age of 5 that are more susceptible to the disease. The telltale signs of HFMD include fever, mouth ulcers, sore throat, small blisters or rashes on the palms of hands, lethargy, and a weak appetite. HFMD is highly contagious and can spread rapidly within a family. That is why people infected with HFMD must be kept in isolation. To successfully recover from HFMD, the patient must receive adequate fluid and rest.
4. Stomach Flu
When a child experiences stomach flu, it is unlike a common tummy ache. The symptoms of stomach flu include vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In case, the symptoms start showing up abruptly, hydration with isotonic drinks and water is critical, the patient must also avoid spicy, oily and dairy products for a few days until the symptoms subside.
5. Pink Eye
A child experiencing a pink eye may complain of sensitivity to light and eye irritation. You may also notice redness in the whites of the eyes, swelling of eyelids, excessive discharge, and tearing. Pink Eye is commonly caused by viruses and tends to get resolved on its own. In some cases, the condition can also be due to bacterial infection making antibacterial ointment or eye drops necessary.
Read related- Finding A Good Pediatrician For Your Children
Wrap Up
It is common for young children to contract common illnesses during school time. As a parent, it is your responsibility to know when to take the child to a doctor when they complain of one set of symptoms or the other. There are other illnesses to which children are exposed apart from the 5 discussed in this blog. If your child is showing any of the symptoms discussed, you may want to take them to a child specialist or pediatrician in Gurgaon or Delhi. To book an appointment with a pediatrician near you, simply write to us at contact@meddo.in or call us at 8752005200.
