Preventing Infections in Children:

Children are especially more prone to infections. The most common type of infections that children fall prey to is the common cold, influenza and chicken pox among others. The common cold is perhaps the most common and frequently occurring infection in children. It is essentially an infection of the upper respiratory tract. There are many different strains of the cold virus and hence we are not able to become immune to it and neither can there be a vaccine developed against it. The symptoms usually last for about 2 weeks and begin to subside on their own. Medications are not helpful in treating it as it is caused by viruses. Even though there isn’t a treatment for the common cold, the child can get relief by consuming lots of fluids, taking adequate rest and using decongestants or cough remedies. Also, colds spread through the mucus and so teaching the child proper hygiene will help to curb the spread of the virus.

Influenza is another common condition also caused by a virus. It usually affects children during winter, but may occur during other seasons too. The symptoms of influenza are congestion in the nose, runny nose, chills, headache, muscle pains, loss of appetite, vomiting and fever. The symptoms get worse in the first five days and then begin to slowly improve. Taking warm baths, steam inhalation, intake of plenty of fluids and salt water gargles to ease soreness in the throat help to alleviate the discomfort experienced due to influenza. Chicken pox is a very contagious condition which can now be prevented by administering a vaccine. If chicken pox occurs in the children, the symptoms may develop 10-20 days later from the day of exposure to the virus. Symptoms include fever, appetite loss, followed by severe itching rash on the skin. The bumps on the skin then become fluid-filled which turn into sores and then develop a crusty scab over them. Treatment can include pain relieving medication and lotions to ease the itching.

Children are susceptible to infections as their immune systems many not be fully developed. This will change as the child grows older and the frequency of illnesses will also become less. Children are more prone to developing infections as they tend to keep touching their mouths after touching other objects. Good personal hygiene must be taught to the child such as regular hand washing especially before meals. Infections generally spread from one child to another, and as such schools and day care centers must have a policy of instructing infected children to rest at home until they are better.