Turn on Your Parental Radar: 4 Childhood Illnesses You Should Never Ignore

Sick days are part of being a kid, while worrying about those illnesses is part of being a parent. Most children get sick often, usually because of infection from bacteria and viruses.

As a parent, you need to worry about and monitor your child’s illnesses, because their immune systems are more delicate compared to yours. A viral cold can develop and mutate into another infection, which can eventually turn into something else.

Here are some of the childhood illnesses you should worry about:

Flu

Flu or influenza is an airborne viral infection of the nose, throat, ears, and sinuses. See if your child is developing a sore throat, cough, runny nose, and fever accompanied by headache, chills, and even vomiting. You need over the counter medications to combat the illness, but according to TeeandMae.com and other professionals, there are natural ways to treat the symptoms.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection. It is often an offset of the herpes virus that lives within the body for years. It causes rashes across the entire body, as well as flu-like symptoms and fever. It is most harmful to children with deficient immune systems, so have your child vaccinated before it happens. General treatment includes oatmeal baths, prescription medicine, and skin creams.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is different from foot-and-mouth disease, which only affects livestock. This can cause a mild, non-itchy rash on the palms and soles. Some children even develop mouth ulcers, accompanied by fever. The ulcers may also appear on the buttocks.

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is a highly contagious bacterial infection that starts with throat or skin infection. This leads to fever, flushed face, and rashes. The pink-red rash feels rough like sandpaper, and is often very itchy. The rashes often start on the chest and abdomen, and would spread all over the body. Your child’s tongue may also become whitish, but the taste buds would look bright red.

Childhood illness is a fact of life, but here is the reassuring truth: you know everything about your children – their habits, troubles, and routines – things that can help you catch almost any problem.