Treatment Of Childhood Illnesses
Treatment Of Childhood Illnesses
Parents know the difficulties of caring for a sick child. Children are prone to getting sick because their bodies build immunity to infections when they are still young. In some cases, children who start daycare or nursery school will experience common childhood illnesses for the first time because of their exposure to other children.
Treatment of childhood illnesses covers both acute and chronic illnesses, psychosocial problems, behavioural problems, and learning disabilities. These may include illnesses such as:
Treatment of childhood illnesses covers both acute and chronic illnesses, psychosocial problems, behavioural problems, and learning disabilities. These may include illnesses such as:
- Anxiety and depression – Anxiety occurs when the child doesn’t outgrow the fears and worries that are normally experienced by young children. These worries or fears may also interfere with home, school, or play activities. Anxiety may also make children irritable and angry. Depression makes the child feel persistently sad, hopeless and uninterested in things that they used to enjoy. Teenagers with depression may present with irritability and ‘mood swings’. Anxiety and depression treatment may involve behaviour therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy to help the child change negative thoughts into more positive, effective ways of thinking, which may lead to more effective behaviour. Some children also require medication to assist with the symptoms of depression.
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) –This is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results in your child having difficulties paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours (acting without thinking), or being overly active. Behaviour therapy and medication may be recommended to help treat ADHD.
Treatment Of Childhood Illnesses
Parents know the difficulties of caring for a sick child. Children are prone to getting sick because their bodies build immunity to infections when they are still young. In some cases, children who start daycare or nursery school will experience common childhood illnesses for the first time because of their exposure to other children.
Treatment of childhood illnesses covers both acute and chronic illnesses, psychosocial problems, behavioural problems, and learning disabilities. These may include illnesses such as:
Treatment of childhood illnesses covers both acute and chronic illnesses, psychosocial problems, behavioural problems, and learning disabilities. These may include illnesses such as:
- Anxiety and depression – Anxiety occurs when the child doesn’t outgrow the fears and worries that are normally experienced by young children. These worries or fears may also interfere with home, school, or play activities. Anxiety may also make children irritable and angry. Depression makes the child feel persistently sad, hopeless and uninterested in things that they used to enjoy. Teenagers with depression may present with irritability and ‘mood swings’. Anxiety and depression treatment may involve behaviour therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy to help the child change negative thoughts into more positive, effective ways of thinking, which may lead to more effective behaviour. Some children also require medication to assist with the symptoms of depression.
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) –This is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results in your child having difficulties paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviours (acting without thinking), or being overly active. Behaviour therapy and medication may be recommended to help treat ADHD.
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Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) - This causes children to have thoughts that bother them, and they feel as if they should do something about those thoughts, even if their actions don’t make any sense, e.g., some children may feel worried about having bad luck if they don’t wear their favourite piece of clothing. Treatment may include behaviour therapy and medication.
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Common Colds - These are the most common childhood illness that is caused by viruses that spread easily, especially in environments where people have close contact with each other. Treatment may include acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help manage symptoms such as fever, muscle aches or headaches.
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Ear Infections - Children are more prone to ear infections than adults. Ear infections may be caused by viral or bacterial infections and may cause symptoms such as fever, ear pain, irritability, difficulties sleeping and tugging in the ear.
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Conjunctivitis - Also known as “pink eye”, is a condition that causes telltale signs such as redness, discharge, itchiness, and swelling in one or both eyes. Pink eye may be caused by a virus or bacteria that enters the eye. The paediatrician may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or eye drops to treat.
- Strep Throat - This condition is caused by a bacteria called streptococcus pyogenes that enters the nose and throat. Its causes symptoms such as fever, sore throat, swollen tonsils and stomach pain. Treatment includes antibiotics.
FAQs
FAQs
Some childhood illnesses clear up with rest and medication. However, some symptoms may indicate that you should visit the paediatrician. These may include:
- Signs of dehydration
- High fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Has a suppressed immune system, diabetes, asthma, or other chronic illnesses.
The exact cause of anxiety and depression in children is unknown, but factors such as biology and temperament may play a role.
Some children may develop anxiety and depression when they experience trauma or stress when they are maltreated, bullied or rejected by other children.
In severe cases, rheumatic fever, an autoimmune disease, may set in and cause inflammation in the throat.