Common infectious diseases in children, Sore throat, pediatrician in Bangalore

As a parent, you must want the highest-quality medical care for your child. But how do you ensure that your child is getting the best possible care? By becoming aware. At Rainbow Children’s Hospital, we have the best pediatrician in Bangalore who will not only ensure a high-quality treatment for your child but also keep you updated and aware of the treatment method.

In this article, we will be discussing the different types of infectious diseases in children:

1. Sore throat
Sore throat is a common condition that can be quite painful. Since it is caused by a virus, you won’t have to give antibiotics to your child. As such, there are no medicinal requirements and your child will get better in a week. However, if the sore throat is the result of an infection named streptococcal, it will need medical intervention.

It is important to note that it is not possible to diagnose strep accurately by just looking at the throat. Your child will have to undergo a rapid strep test where a swab of their throat will be taken to confirm the diagnosis. If he/she is positive for strep, an antibiotic will be prescribed. You must ensure that your child takes the full course of the antibiotics, even if they have gotten relief from the symptoms.

Usually, babies don’t get strep throat. However, they can get infected by streptococcus bacteria while being near to an older sibling with the illness. The condition spreads through sneezes and coughs, but can also be transferred by touching a surface or toy that an infected kid played with.

2. Ear Pain
This is a common condition in children usually caused by otitis media (ear infection), swimmer’s ear (ear canal infection), or pressure from a sinus infection or cold. In some cases, the teeth pain can radiate up to the ear. In order to find the exact cause of the ear pain, your child’s pediatrician will examine his/her ear. If the pain is accompanied by high fever and affects both ears, antibiotics might be the best form of treatment. The most preferred antibiotic for ear infections in children is Amoxicillin. However, it must not be given to children with recurrent or chronic infections or if they are allergic to penicillin.

In case the ear infection is caused by a virus, the pediatrician will instruct you about the ways you can help relieve the ear pain until the virus has run its course.

3. Urinary Tract Infection
Also known as bladder infections, UTI is caused when the bacteria start building up in the urinary tract. It can be found in children from infancy to adulthood. UTI symptoms include burning sensation or pain during urination, feeling the need to urinate urgently or frequently, bedwetting in cases of a child who normally uses the toilet, side or back pain, or abdominal pain. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will take your child’s urine sample and send it to a lab for the test. Depending on the bacteria found in the urine, a treatment plan will be created.

4. Skin infection
In the case of skin infections in children, a skin test (swab or culture) is needed for creating an appropriate treatment. You must tell your child’s doctor if they have a history of staph infection, MRSA, or any other resistant bacteria that they have been exposed to.

5. Common Cold
Cold occurs because of viruses present in the upper respiratory tract. Young children, especially the ones in child care might get 6 to 8 colds every year. Some symptoms of cold include congestion, cough, and runny nose that can last 10 days. However, just because you found green mucus in your child’s nose, it doesn’t mean that your child needs antibiotics. Common colds almost never require antibiotics. But, if the doctor suspects a sinus infection, they will decide if antibiotics are the right choice, depending on the symptoms of your child and the physical exam.

6. Bacterial Sinusitis
Bacterial Sinusitis is a medical condition that occurs when the bacteria gets trapped in the sinuses. It results in cold-like symptoms like daytime cough, nasal discharge, or both that lasts more than 10 days without any improvements. If the condition results in fever and thick yellow nasal discharge for 3 to 4 days, your child might need antibiotics.

7. Bronchiolitis
This is a common condition in infants as well as young children during the flu season. It is caused by a virus, so your child won’t need an antibiotic. Instead, the treatment will be geared toward ensuring that your child is comfortable. The doctor will monitor your child closely to check if they are having difficulty in eating or breathing or showing any signs of dehydration.

Please note that some mild infections, bacterial or viral, can become more serious. So, if your child’s illness is becoming worse, you should contact the best child specialist in Bangalore at Rainbow Children’s Hospital immediately.