Common rainy-day illnesses among children

CEBU, Philippines – "My throat hurts!" "I'm hot!" "I can't breathe!" These complaints are common among children, following a lingering downpour. Hence, these have become synonymous with the rainy days.

The rains, which often come with cold winds, usher in some dreaded childhood illnesses. The website www.parents.com notes that it can be hard to figure out exactly which one a child may have, because the most common conditions share many symptoms. The website outlines these common childhood ailments that usually come with the rains and cold weather. It cautions, however, that the following information is not meant to make a definitive diagnosis; and consulting with the pediatrician with questions about the child's health is still necessary.

Cold

Children usually get six to 10 colds every year, primarily during the rainy days. Colds are caused by a virus that infects the nose, sinuses, throat, and airways, and often spread through contact with mucus. Symptoms include sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, scratchy sore throat, and red, watery eyes. Other signs are chills, aches, a mild fever, and swollen lymph glands. Colds can be tough to spot in infants, so parents have to look for changes in breathing, eating, and sleeping patterns.

Since colds are viral infections, there's no ideal treatment, but fluids and rest, plus decongestants, cough syrups, and antihistamines, can help ease symptoms. The pediatrician must be sought if the child has difficulty breathing or develops a high fever, severe headache, chest pain, or ear pain. It's also important to always check with the doctor before giving over-the-counter medications; the doctor can suggest the best choice and proper dosage.

Flu

Between 10 and 20 percent of the population contracts the flu, or influenza, each year. Children are two to three times more likely to get the illness than healthy adults. The flu is caused by a virus that infects the lungs and airways and can be spread through direct contact or airborne droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze. Symptoms include a sudden fever, accompanied by chills and shakes, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, a hacking cough, nausea, and vomiting.

Treatment includes rest, fluids, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and aches. The doctor must be sought as to which medication and how much to give the child. With an infant, it's better to see the pediatrician if it is suspected that the tiny one has flu - kids under two years old are the most vulnerable to the illness. Also, the doctor shall be sought immediately if the child's cough worsens, if he has trouble breathing or a persistent high fever, or if he produces bloody mucus - all signs of pneumonia. The child shall never be given cold medicine without checking with the doctor first.

Bronchitis

More than 25 percent of those affected by acute bronchitis each year are children; it's most common in kids under five years old. The illness, an inflammation of the airways, is usually caused by viruses, bacteria, or allergies. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and a severe cough that may last several weeks. The child may also develop a slight fever, which in severe cases will spike to above 102 degrees.

Treatment for bronchitis is rest and fluids, though antibiotics can help if the infection is bacterial. Medication for older children can suppress a dry cough, but if the cough produces phlegm, it's important to consult with the pediatrician about giving a syrup with an expectorant to make it easier for the child to bring up the sputum. The doctor will determine if the child may be given acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and aches. A cool-mist humidifier or steam vaporizers may also be used to help ease breathing. The pediatrician can make an accurate diagnosis, which can be done only by listening to the child's bronchial tubes.

Sinusitis

About 10 percent of the colds children get each year develop into sinusitis, an inflammation of the lining of the sinuses that's usually caused by allergies or another infection. Symptoms include nasal congestion and thick nasal discharge, as well as pain, tenderness, swelling, and pressure around the nose. Sinusitis can cause a persistent cough, sore throat, or bad breath. If the infection spreads, it can lead to fever and chills.

Treatment is usually a 21-day course of antibiotics. Over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays can be used for up to three days - but only with permission by the pediatrician before administering. Parents shall consult with the pediatrician to see if an over-the-counter antihistamine, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen is safe for the child. A cool-mist humidifier and steam vaporizers may also be used to help make breathing easier. But the pediatrician shall be sought as soon as sinusitis is suspected so antibiotics can be prescribed.

In the end, such information shared by www.parents.com may only serve as basic reference. When it comes to medication, the best advice still comes from the doctor. In addition, parents shall see to it that little children are protected from the rains.