Common Childhood Illnesses

Looking for quality information on childhood illness? Good idea. As a parent, it is your job to understand the various types of illnesses your child could potentially be diagnosed with during their childhood. This understanding comes with recognizing some or many of the many signs and symptoms that come with a childhood illness, which is important because the sooner treatment is provided when your child is ill, the better. This makes it essential for parents to know what their child is suffering from so that the correct treatment can be applied.

Common childhood illnesses

The following is a list of some of the more common childhood illnesses.

#1 – Sore throat

A sore throat can be mild or painful. If a sore throat is caused by a virus, the overall healing time is about one week, and there is no need for antibiotics. When a sore throat is caused by bacteria, it is often strep, which takes about seven to 10 days to heal and does require antibiotics.

#2 – Earache

An earache is often but not always caused by some type of infection and tends to be quite painful in children. If an earache it is accompanied by a fever, then a round of antibiotics may be needed.

#3 – Urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection can show itself in many ways, like bed wetting, frequent urination or experiencing discomfort or pain when urinating. If a child is showing signs of a urinary tract infection, they will need to be taken to a medical professional for treatment.

#4 – Cough

A cough is often caused by a virus and tends to go away in a few days. When a child has a persistent cough, it warrants a doctor appointment.

#5 – Cold

A cold is caused by a virus and is one of the more common illnesses children will get during their childhood, with some children getting up to eight colds a year. A cold does not often require a trip to the doctor’s office unless it leads to a sinus infection, which requires antibiotics to treat.

#6 – Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a childhood illness that causes wheezing in children when they breathe and tends to occur mostly during the winter months. Because bronchitis is more often than not caused by a virus, it normally does not require antibiotics.

Have any questions about childhood illnesses?

It is essential for parents to recognize a childhood illness. When you do, you are able to address any illnesses your child may have quickly and efficiently. Addressing any illnesses your children may have as quickly as possible is a good idea, especially for any illnesses that cause them to be in discomfort and/or pain. If you have any questions about a specific illness, you can call us so one of our knowledgeable team members can provide you with the answer you need. If you are in need of an appointment, then we hope to hear from you today!