Infections

What is an Infection?

Infections mostly happen through wounds, though internal infections can be caused by germs that have been ingested via food or water. Some infections can even happen through the respiratory tract. From a layman’s point of view, it might seem almost everything out there is out to harm your child’s health.

While preventative care involves inculcating good personal hygiene practices and safety guidelines, diagnosis and treatment of infections in children can be a very sensitive issue. Child care has a more receptive physiology, so they can be more sensitive to medicines and their side effects. So, if your child is already undergoing health care for any other disease or ailment, it can become difficult to treat another infection at the same time. Preventing infectious diseases in children is way easier now, though common and unusual infections can still occur.

Types of Infections in Children

Some of the most common infections that can be found in children deal in skin, ear, and throat infections. Such infections are mostly caused by bacteria that are carried through the air and/water. Some of the most common infections that fall into these categories are the following:

1. Skin infections

• Impetigo
• Cellulitis
• Scarlet Fever
• Folliculitis, Boils, Carbuncles
• Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

2. Ear Infections

• Acute otitis media (AOM)
• Otitis media with effusion (OME)
• Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)

3. Throat Infections

Can be caused by bacteria as well as viruses. The most common cause of sore throats can be any of the following:

• Common cold
• Flu
• Glandular fever

It is always best to have a detailed consultation with a pediatrician before trying to figure out problems on your own.