5 Childhood Diseases That You Should Look for in Your Children

About 20 million children under the age of 5 are severely malnourished across the globe. This leaves them vulnerable to various diseases and early deaths.
The primary cause of death among children under five is infectious diseases, despite being utterly preventable and treatable.  For older children, non-communicable diseases, injuries, and other illnesses pose a serious threat.
Here are some of the most common diseases that you should be vigilant about.

Common Cold

The most noticeable signs of the common cold include a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and fever.
In this case, keep the child hydrated by giving them lots of fluids. Frequently check the temperature and use cold towels to combat fever.
Visit the doctor if your child’s condition does not improve, especially if they have a high fever.

Pneumonia

About 800,000 children under five years of age lose their lives to this infectious disease each year.
The symptoms include cough, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Although a risky one, this disease is easily preventable and curable with the help of antibiotics.  
Preventative measures such as immunization, a clean environment, and safe drinking water along with adequate sanitation and hygiene, can significantly eliminate the possibility of pneumonia.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can occur with vomiting, cramps, fever, dehydration, and rashes.
Some of the reasons include infections from viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Among these, viruses are the most common cause.
The best measure in this scenario is to keep your child hydrated with fluids and consult a doctor if the condition persists longer than three days.

Chickenpox

Does your child have itchy red spots all over their body accompanied by a fever?
The illness starts with rashes that eventually turn into blisters. The spots may leave a scar if they become infected due to scratching. Although it is a mild disease in healthy children, it’s highly contagious and can quickly spread.
Keep the child in isolation and make sure they’re not scratching the rashes.

Asthma

With asthma, the child’s airways become sensitive and inflamed.
They might experience tightness or pain in their chest, difficulty breathing, and may have a problem doing routine activities like running or playing. Make your child use an inhaler and avoid common triggers.

Are you looking for online doctor consultation services?

TelMDCare is an online medical consultation platform that allows patients to speak to a general practitioner online without the hassle of a long commute and waiting time. We have licensed and authorized doctors onboard whom you can talk to directly for an affordable fee of $35, which also includes a complimentary follow-up.
Get in touch with our team to make a doctor’s appointment online and get treated from the comfort and safety of your home.