An Inside Look Into Common Childhood Illnesses

As a parent of young children, you probably understand the challenges of dealing with a sick child. Children get sick quite often since their immune systems are yet to develop full immunity to various common germs. Additionally, babies, toddlers, and young children do not have the awareness to keep their hands off their faces despite them being extremely physically engaged in their environment. Fortunately, Harbor Community Health Centers offers San Pedro pediatrics services and well-child exams to ensure your child is healthy. Read on to learn the basics of common illnesses that can affect your child.

Sore throat

Sore throats are a common problem in children and can be painful. In most cases, a sore throat caused by a virus does not need specific medicine, including antibiotics. If your child’s sore throat is due to a virus, they will likely get better in seven to ten days without treatment. Sometimes a sore throat could result from an infection called streptococcal or strep throat.

You cannot diagnose strep throat by simply looking at the throat; an in-office rapid test is necessary to diagnose strep accurately. If your child tests positive for strep, the pediatrician will prescribe an antibiotic they should take for the full course even if the symptoms get better or go away.

Urinary tract infection

UTIs or bladder infections can also be found in children from infancy through the teen years and into adulthood. They occur when bacteria accumulate in the urinary tract causing symptoms such as pain or burning during urination and needing to urinate frequently or urgently. Your child may also wet their bed or accidentally pee themselves even though they know how to use the toilet. Other symptoms of urinary tract infections in children include abdominal pain or side or back pain. To diagnose urinary tract infections, your child’s physician will need to test a urine sample before recommending treatment. The treatment your doctor recommends depends on the bacteria found in your child’s urine.

Common cold

A cold is a mild viral infection in the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, sinuses, throat, and upper airways. Often, a cold clears up within a week or two of no treatment, but sometimes symptoms may persist, necessitating medical attention. Children in child care can get up to six to eight colds per year, with symptoms such as runny nose, congestion, and cough lasting up to ten days.

Green mucus in the nose does not always indicate that antibiotics are needed. If your child’s pediatrician suspects a sinus infection, they will determine if antibiotics are the best treatment based on your child’s symptoms.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness characterized by a spotty, blistering, red rash that covers the entire body. These spots often appear in clusters on the scalp, face, chest, abdomen, arms, legs, and behind the years. However, they can also form inside the nappy area, palms of the hand, and soles of the feet.

If your child is unwell, book an appointment with their pediatrician at Harbor Community Health Centers for treatment.