The Most Common Winter illnesses in Children: Recognize And Avoid

With a nip in the air, we can confidently conclude that winter has arrived! It’s that time of year when delicious foods, festivities, and even vacations are in order. While we relish the opportunity to dress up in our winter finery, we must not overlook the fact that the winter season is not without its drawbacks. Here are a few common illnesses that children affected

• Colds are very common

  A cold is a contagious viral infection that causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, and headache. Early on in the disease, children may experience fevers. Colds are caused by a variety of viruses and can strike at any time of year, though they are more common in the winter. Most colds get worse for 3-5 days and then start to get better, with symptoms completely gone in approximately a week. Every year, children get ten or more colds!

• RSV/Bronchiolitis

  Bronchiolitis is a viral respiratory infection that commonly affects children under the age of five. It is most common in children under the age of 12 months. Nasal congestion, cough, low-grade fevers, and wheezing are some of the symptoms. RSV, a specific virus, is one of the most prevalent causes of bronchiolitis caused by a variety of viruses. It frequently begins out like a regular cold, but can quickly escalate into a more serious condition with wheezing, breathing difficulties, and dehydration. The cough that follows this disease might continue for up to two weeks.

• Influenza

  Influenza is usually referred to as “the Flu.” High fever, cough, sore throat, headache, and muscle aches and pains are common symptoms. The fever can linger for up to five days. Antiviral drugs only decrease the duration of the illness by 1-2 days and must be started right away to be effective. These medications are often used for children who are at risk of more serious problems or hospitalization as a result of the flu. The best approach to protect yourself and your family from this sickness is to ensure that everyone has their annual flu vaccine.

• Croup

  Croup frequently strikes in the middle of the night. You might hear your child coughing hard as you wake up. The croup cough is frequently described as “barking” or “sea-like.” Your child may also make a high-pitched noise when breathing, which is referred to as stridor by doctors. Coughs that are mild to moderate can often be treated at home. Symptoms of croup often improve when your child is exposed to cool, dry air or hot, humid air. Croup is frequently treatable in the emergency room with nebulized treatments and steroids.

• Pneumonia

  Pneumonia, unlike the other prevalent winter sickness, is frequently caused by a bacterial infection. Sometimes it starts as a cold that just gets worse. Other times it appears that your child is doing better before suddenly growing worse. If your child has had a cold for several days and then gets a high fever and a worsening cough, this could be a sign of pneumonia, and you should take him or her to the doctor for a checkup. If you suspect your child is having breathing problems, seek medical help right away since pneumonia can quickly escalate. The majority of the time, pneumonia may be treated as an outpatient.

• Throat Strep

  The most common victims of strep are school-aged youngsters. Sore throats, headaches, and stomachaches are common complaints among children. High fevers or vomiting may occur in some children. Cold symptoms and coughing are not caused by strep throat. Antibiotics are usually effective in treating strep throat, and children with the infection should be treated to avoid difficulties later on.

6 Ways to Prevent Winter Bugs from Spreading

1. Teach your children to wash their hands after using the restroom and before eating with hand wash or soap.
2. When your children are unwell, don’t allow them to share cups or glasses.
3. Instruct them to cough or sneeze into the sleeve of their shirt or use a tissue.
4. Baby bottles and pacifiers should be sterilized thoroughly.
5. Allow plastic toys to air dry after washing.

Drinking warm water can help relieve symptoms, and encouraging children to consume healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables and a protein-rich diet will help their immune system develop and fight more effectively.

At Nappies Direct you can get NUK non-contact baby thermometer flash for daily temperature check-ups and branded nasal decongester which helps your child to make breathing easier.

Visit our online store to get safe and branded products.