Sickness is an inevitable part of your baby’s life. One way or another, they will get sick. But don’t worry! As unfortunate as it sounds, it’s bound to happen. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve been neglecting your little one whatsoever. These things are just out of our control sometimes.
However, while your baby getting sick can sometimes be beyond your control, what you can do about it is still within your control. With that in mind, it’s important to know what to do when your little one gets sick. Of course, there are tons of different sicknesses out there. But, there are still a handful of illnesses that are very common among babies and infants.
With that in mind, this article aims to run you through 5 common illnesses that infants contract. We’ll give you the usual symptoms and what you can do about them. We’ll also tell you what signs may indicate that you may need them to see a doctor. That way, you’re at least prepared and you’ll be able to help your child through their illness as best as you can. After all, no parent wants their child to struggle should they get sick. So, knowing what to do can do so much in terms of minimizing your child’s illness-related difficulties.
Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia
One of the most common illnesses that infants may contract would be pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (PCAP). Also known simply as pneumonia, the presentation of this illness is somewhat easy to pick up on. As pneumonia is a respiratory illness, it typically manifests as a persistent cough and a cold. However, when an infant has pneumonia, you’ll also notice that they may exert a little more effort when it comes to breathing. You’ll also notice something called “costal retractions,” which is when you notice the muscles on your baby’s ribs “suck in” as they also breathe in.
If you see that your little one is struggling to breathe, has costal retractions, or is having trouble feeding, then this is a sign that you’ll have to take them to the doctor immediately. Of course, it’s normal to worry. However, if you catch this early, treating this may be as simple as giving your little one a little more fluids, paracetamol, and other prescribed medication. In more serious cases, you may have to admit your child to the hospital for closer monitoring (especially in terms of their oxygen levels) and antibiotic administration.
Acute Tonsillopharyngitis
Tonsillopharyngitis is another common illness that infants may contract. Some of you may know this as a sore or strep throat, and that’s usually where most of the symptoms revolve. However, aside from the usual sore and irritable throat, this may sometimes come with some nasal congestion, a fever, headache, and nausea. Usually, this can resolve on its own with some fever medication and hydration.
If your baby starts having a hard time swallowing or it becomes painful to do so, this may be a sign to take them to the doctor. If you also noticed some swelling of their tonsils, difficulty breathing, a decrease in appetite, or a persistent fever, then you should also bring them to a doctor right away. The doctor may prescribe other medication for symptomatic relief. However, it’s worth noting that they may not necessarily give antibiotics as some cases of acute tonsillopharyngitis are caused by viruses and not bacteria.
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are another common illness that infants may come down with, especially if they keep their diapers on even after they’ve soiled them. As the bacteria can still persist, they may end up making their way up their urinary tract and eventually cause infection. So, it’s important to change diapers as soon as you know they’re soiled!
Usually, a UTI presents with nonspecific signs and symptoms, such as a persistent fever. Another common symptom of a UTI would be abdominal pain or flank pain. If you’ve also noticed that your child may be less active, not have that big of an appetite, or drinking very little water it’s also worth considering that they may be sick with something. So, if you’ve noticed a persistent fever, or decrease in appetite or activity, it’s best to go to a doctor so that they can rule in if they may have a UTI, or some other illness at least.
Acute Gastroenteritis
Acute gastroenteritis can be considered an umbrella term for a whole host of different diseases that have one main manifestation: diarrhea. Also known as AGE, this illness can be attributed to various viral and bacterial causes. However, despite this, they all usually manifest with diarrhea. Sometimes your little one may also end up vomiting. Usually, AGE can be managed at home, only requiring that you ensure your little one stays hydrated.
However, in cases where your baby appears to be weak, dehydrated, and does not feed or eat as much as they usually do, it’s best to bring them to a doctor right away. This is so that the doctor can assess how bad the AGE is, if it’s caused by something that may need antibiotics, or help hydrate your baby even better. All of which can help relieve symptoms and ensure that they recover faster. They will also recommend that you give your little one food that’s easier for their stomach to digest in the meantime, avoiding oily, sugary, and dairy-containing foods
Dengue
Dengue is probably one of the most common viral diseases that people in the Philippines contract, regardless of age. However, it’s more common among children. A typical case of dengue would usually manifest as a fever that keeps recurring, the presence of rashes, nausea and vomiting, and body aches. Usually, this can be treated at home with adequate hydration and anti-fever medication.
However, if your child starts experiencing abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, and noticeably lethargic, it’s best to take your child to a doctor immediately. These are signs of more severe cases of dengue and need to be managed more appropriately. This is to ensure that your child does not reach the point where they end up getting a case of dengue hemorrhagic fever, which is one of the more severe effects of a dengue infection.
These are some of the more common illnesses that infants and young children may end up getting at some point in their life. While the contents of this article shouldn’t be taken as medical advice, these are just some things you should keep in mind if you suspect that your child has a sickness. If you do suspect they are sick, it’s still best to confirm this with their pediatrician. After all, they know best. However, as a parent, it’s still good to keep yourself as informed as possible. That way, should something similar happen, you’ll at least know what to do. Better safe than sorry, right?
