Childhood Infections
With all the sore throats, runny noses,
intestinal disorders, and allergies that plague our kids,
childhood must sometimes seem like a constant blur of
illnesses--especially to the parent doing the nursing. But
even though these ailments are debilitating and take an
enormous toll on the young patient, most of the problems
clear up pretty quickly, are not life-threatening, and carry
few long-term effects. (See the appropriate chapters for
information on these disorders.)
Even so, parents still need to be
particularly vigilant about safeguarding their children's
health. The recent rise in the incidence of serious
diseases--including whooping cough, rubella, measles, mumps,
and hepatitis B--makes a compelling case for keeping
vaccinations up-to-date. One of the latest vaccines, now
recommended for all newborns, is for hepatitis B, a viral
infection that causes an inflamed liver, and may lead to
chronic infection and even cancer of the
liver.
Routine medical checkups, proper diet,
and plenty of rest are also essential to give children the
protection they need. When a child falls ill or shows any
unexplained or persistent symptoms, prompt medical advice and
attention are crucial. This strategy helps keep minor
illnesses from getting out of control and ensures early
treatment for more serious disorders.
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Treating the Diseases of Childhood
Despite great strides in preventive
medicine, many familiar diseases of childhood continue to
haunt us. Here's a closer look at the most common, and the
ways they are treated today.
Chickenpox remains one of the most
prevalent childhood diseases, occurring most frequently in
those between two and eight years of age. This highly
contagious disease begins with a slight fever, loss of
appetite, and malaise. Next, the distinctive itchy,
blister-like rash appears, usually on the trunk or scalp at
first, later spreading over the body. Scratching the blisters
may result in scarring, impetigo, boils, and other
infections. Children mustn't scratch.
Children must be isolated until the
blisters are crusted, usually five to seven days from the
time of onset. The contagious period starts one or two days
before the rash appears, so keep an eye on your child if he
or she has been around someone who later broke out in a rash.
The time between exposure and onset of the illness is usually
14 to 16 days. Cases have been known to occur as early as 11
or as late as 20 days after exposure.
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