TOP 12

Kids Illnesses
& Treatments
From common cold and croup to hand, foot and mouth disease and head lice, find out
what these childhood maladies are, how long they last – and how to treat them.
 MetroParent.com

1.
ACUTE BRONCHITIS

2.
COMMON COLD

3.
CROUP

4.
DIARRHEA

5.
EAR INFECTIONS

6.

S
FLU (INFLUENZA)
niffles and sore throats are as common in childhood as crayons
and Play-Doh. Getting sick is, well, part of being a kid. So what 7.
do you do when your kiddo gets ill? First, know that it’s nor- HAND, FOOT AND
mal for kids not to feel well on occasion (yep, there’s still no cure for the MOUTH DISEASE
common cold). And while you can’t prevent every illness, it’s helpful to
8.
know what the most common ones are, along with how they’re treated.
HEAD LICE
Click and flip on to get yourself medically informed.
9.
Guide written by Kristen J. Gough MENINGITIS

10.
Please note: This informational piece should not be considered diagnostic or PINK EYE
medical advice. If you have any health concerns about your child, contact his
or her pediatrician with specific questions and treatment remedies.
11.
RSV (RESPIRATORY
SYNCYTIAL VIRUS)

12.
STREP THROAT
(c) 2017 Metro Parent Publishing Group. No portion of this PDF publication may be reproduced
in any way, either in print or online, without written permission of the publisher.

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1. 2. 3.
Acute Bronchitis Common Cold Croup
WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT?
Also called a chest cold, It’s called the common cold A barking cough. That’s the
bronchitis is an inflammation of for a reason. There’s just no tell-tale sign of croup. Most
the breathing tubes, or airways, way around it – your child will often caused by a viral infection,
called bronchi. It may also probably battle 8-10 colds before croup affects and inflames
occur in children with chronic her second birthday. But this your child’s airways, making it
sinusitis, allergies or those with helps your child’s developing difficult to breathe, especially
enlarged tonsils or adenoids. immune system build up its at night. Your child may also
Besides a cough, kids with defenses, and she’ll have fewer have a fever and generally be
bronchitis may have a runny COUGH OR COLD? colds as she gets older. As with irritable. Because of their small,
nose, mild fever, wheezing, a adults, your child is more likely less-developed airways, younger
sore throat and some mucus
SKIP THE OTC to get a cold when she’s stuck children, or those under 3, are
discharge. The U.S Food & Drug indoors and/or around a lot of more prone to developing croup
others. Symptoms include a than older kids.
Administration warns
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? running nose, nasal congestion,
With acute bronchitis, often parents not to give over- sneezing, coughing, a slight HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
caused by a virus, symptoms the-counter cough and sore throat and sometimes a 3 to 5 days.
usually clear up in a week. mild fever.
cold medicines to children
HOW IS IT TREATED?
HOW IS IT TREATED? who are under the age HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? For most children, the
Acute bronchitis typically of 4, WebMD notes. A cold can last anywhere symptoms resolve themselves
clears on its own but may from a few days to 2 weeks. without medical intervention.
The medicines – which
require prescription medication If your child’s symptoms are But in some instances, children
to treat. Note: Acute bronchitis include decongestants, severe and/or last more than require medical treatment – and,
is different than chronic expectorants, 10 days without getting better, for some, hospitalization – to
bronchitis, which has symptoms make sure to contact your restore normal breathing.
antihistamines and cough pediatrician.
that can last 2-3 months or even
years. That type requires more suppressants – can have MORE
regular physician follow-up and side effects. They’ve
HOW IS IT TREATED? > WebMD
medical care. The American Academy of > Mayo Clinic
also not proven effective Pediatrics urges parents not to > KidsHealth
MORE enough to warrant the use over-the-counter cough and
> KidsHealth potential risks.
cold remedies for youngsters
> Good4Utah.com under the age of 4. Also,
> Parenting and Child Health antibiotics can’t cure a cold.
> Medscape Instead, use either ibuprofen
or acetaminophen to ease aches
and pains.

MORE
> National Institutes of Health
> American Academy of
Pediatrics

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GETTING KIDS
TO WASH THEIR
HANDS

4. 5. Proper hand washing

helps kids stay healthy.
The Centers for Disease
6.
Diarrhea Ear Infections Control and Prevention
Flu (Influenza)
calls it a “do-it-yourself”
vaccine. Still, it can still
WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT?
Loose stool – i.e. runny poop. Does your toddler keep be challenging to get kids You can thank (or curse)
Unfortunately, most kids will tugging at her ear? Perhaps she’s with the program. Try these a highly contagious virus for
have diarrhea at one time or also fussier than normal? In causing the flu. The infection
younger kids, the middle part tips from both the CDC
another. The good news is that spreads through the respiratory
diarrhea is a natural defense of the ear is still developing and and WebMD: tracts and can easily be confused
mechanism your child’s body is particularly vulnerable to with a cold. Your child might
uses to get rid of germs. Diarrhea fluid buildup and the infections • Have her sing the complain of muscle aches,
doesn’t always have a clear- that can come with it. The headaches, sore throat, chills,
“alphabet song”
cut cause: It may be your child throbbing inflammation can fever, nausea and/or vomiting,
ate something that doesn’t sit leave your child miserable. While while she washes diarrhea and more. While the
well with him. Perhaps he has ear infections are seen more to encourage her to flu can happen any time of year,
an undiagnosed food allergy or frequently in young children, it’s most common between late
older children – and even teens – take her time.
intolerance. Then again, he may December to early March.
have a viral infection working aren’t completely immune.
• Let your child pick
its way through his system. HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
Rotavirus is a common trigger HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? out a special soap The flu can come on fast,
for diarrhea in kids, especially For some children, the she uses each time. wiping out your child’s energy.
those in child care and school infection can resolve itself in Usually, the worst of the
Maybe the dispenser
(there is now a vaccine for a few days. But you should symptoms have gone away after
rotavirus). But bacteria and contact your child’s pediatrician has one of her fa- about 5 days, although some may
parasites can cause diarrhea, too. right away if you suspect an vorite cartoon char- persist for up to 2 weeks.
ear infection. Some children
acters on it. (Note:
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? are particularly prone to HOW IS IT TREATED?
Generally a few days. In ear infections and can have Antibacterial soap Avoid it. The flu vaccine
more serious cases it can last multiple bouts. isn’t necessary.) can help prevent or lessen the
longer and require medical symptoms. Lots of rest and
intervention. HOW IS IT TREATED? • Ask her to smell her plenty of fluids along with a pain
Again, call your child’s reliever like acetaminophen or
hands once she’s
HOW IS IT TREATED? doctor for specific treatment ibuprofen can help lessen aches
For mild diarrhea, extra recommendations. It may be done. She can tell and pains. As a viral infection,
fluids should do the trick, along that your child simply needs when her hands are antibiotics aren’t effective
with having time to rest and a warm compress on her ear, against the flu, although your
clean enough, if they
recover. If the diarrhea persists some over-the-counter pain child’s doctor may need to
or worsens, your child may need medication and a little TLC. In smell good – and prescribe antiviral medications
testing to determine the exact some instances, children may you can help her tell to prevent flu complications.
cause and medication to ease need antibiotics to combat the
the difference.
symptoms. One critical concern infection. And in kids who have MORE
with diarrhea is dehydration, multiple episodes, the doctor > KidsHealth
so make sure to give your child may recommend additional > WebMD
plenty to drink to replenish the medical intervention like
fluids he’s losing while he’s sick. putting in ear tubes.

MORE MORE
> KidsHealth > National Institutes of Health
> WebMD > WebMD
> Mayo Clinic
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7. 8. 9.
Hand, Foot and Head Lice Meningitis
Mouth Disease WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT?
These tiny, six-legged Meningitis is an inflammatory
WHAT IS IT? parasites like to stow away on disease of the membranes that
Perhaps the first sign of this a person’s head, feeding on surround the brain and spinal
viral illness you’ll see in your small amounts of blood from cord. It’s caused by a viral or
child are painful sores in his the scalp. Yeah, not a pretty bacterial infection from another
mouth that look like flat, red picture. The good news is that part of the body either directly
spots. You might also see a these critters, which are about (from a nearby sinus infection,
rash of red spots that can even the size of a sesame seed, are for example) or indirectly (via the
blister on the palm of his hands, relatively harmless – the real bloodstream). It is most common
the soles of his feet and less pain comes in trying to get ride in infants and children.
frequently in other places like of them! Head lice are highly Viral meningitis is generally WHEN IN DOUBT,
the elbows, knees and bottom. contagious, so if your child does mild. It usually clears up within
He may also have a fever, sore get an infestation, take steps 2 weeks. Bacterial meningitis, CALL THE DOC
throat and just have a general immediately to get rid of them. very rare in the United States, If you have any concerns
feeling of sickness. HFMD is In general, urge your children must be treated immediately
about your child’s behavior,
contagious and seen most often not to share hats, scarves, with antibiotics to prevent brain
in children ages 5 and under. brushes, pillow, blankets or damage, hearing loss, mental whether she’s sniffling
other items with another child damage – even death. Kids with a little more than normal
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? since lice are easily transferred bacterial often have a fever,
or he’s complaining more
For most, around 7 to 10 days, from one head to another. severe pain in their head and
notes the Centers for Disease neck, vomiting, seizures and a than usual of tummy
Control and Prevention. HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? sense of being confused. pains, pick up the phone.
Characterized by an itchy
It’s best to check in with
HOW IS IT TREATED? scalp and visible lice moving in HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
Usually the symptoms, which the hair, lice infestations can last Viral meningitis usually clears your child’s pediatrician.
tend to be mild, go away on several days and may require up within 7 to 10 days and can Sometimes, for example,
their own. In rare cases, medical multiple rounds of treatment to usually be treated at home.
intervention may be required. remove them completely. Bacterial meningitis can be the pediatrician may be
deadly if not treated promptly, aware of outbreaks in
MORE HOW IS IT TREATED? so you should contact your
your area that you don’t
> Centers for Disease Control Although there are some child’s pediatrician right away.
and Prevention prescription medications, for know about, like pink eye
> KidsHealth most cases, over-the-counter HOW IS IT TREATED? or meningitis.
> Today’s Parent treatments are sufficient. Follow For viral, antibiotics aren’t
> WebMD the directions on the medication effective. Often, pediatricians
carefully to rid the hair of lice. suggest kids get plenty of rest
You’ll also need to wash the and fluids. If bacterial is at play,
clothes and bedding of the child your child will likely need to
who was infected. be hospitalized and receive
antibiotics intravenously. To
MORE determine the type, your child
> Centers for Disease Control will need to have a spinal tap.
and Prevention
> KidsHealth MORE
> WebMD > WebMD
> KidsHealth
> Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention

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BEST WAY TO

10. TREAT AN ILLNESS?

AVOID IT!
When it comes to
11. 12.
Pink Eye keeping the germs away,
RSV Strep Throat
try these three tips from

WHAT IS IT? WebMD. (Respiratory WHAT IS IT?

As the name implies, pink eye
– also known as conjunctivitis • Encourage your
Syncytial Virus) If your child is complaining
that his throat hurts and it’s
– is an inflammation of the eye child to wash his difficult for him to swallow,
that causes it to appear pink. he just may have strep throat.
hands regularly WHAT IS IT?
The highly contagious illness, But with strep throat, which is
RSV can seem like a common
which can be caused by viruses, and thoroughly. caused by a bacteria infection,
cold – in fact, the contagious
bacteria, allergens or other your child’s symptoms will go
• Skip situations, virus can cause colds and other
irritants, tends to make the eye beyond soreness in a few days
illnesses like bronchiolitis, an
feel itchy, too. if possible, where to include swollen glands in his
inflammation of your child’s
neck (lymph nodes), a fever, a
your kids might be airways, or pneumonia. And,
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? like a cold, it’s also more prone
headache, loss of appetite and
Generally it goes away on its around people with enlarged tonsils.
to happen in the fall and winter
own within 7 to 10 days, without sore throats, colds Still, it can be difficult to tell
months versus warmer times
requiring medication. the difference between strep
or other contagious of year when kids (and adults)
throat and a regular sore throat.
are stuck inside. Symptoms
HOW IS IT TREATED? illnesses.
tend to include difficulty
Although the CDC is quick to
In most instances, medication point out that strep throat is
• Keep kids away from breathing, runny nose, mild
isn’t needed. However, if your more common in youngsters
fever, coughing, wheezing and
child is experiencing pain, cigarette smoke. when compared to adults:
irritability. And in older kids,
or if he’s noticing changes “In children, 20 to 30 out of
the symptoms tend to be mild
in his vision or doesn’t seem every 100 sore throats are strep
and similar to those of a cold.
to be improving, contact his throat. In adults, only 5 to 15
pediatrician. out of every 100 sore throats
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
is.” In other words, a sore
As with a cold, RSV tends to
MORE last a few days and kids usually
throat is more likely to be
> Centers for Disease Control recover within 1-2 weeks.
strep in youngsters.
and Prevention
> Mayo Clinic HOW IS IT TREATED? HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
If a sore throat lasts longer
In healthy children, it often
than a week, or if your child’s
runs its course without requiring
symptoms are severe, contact
medical intervention. But with
your pediatrician right away. The
younger infants, especially
pediatrician can do a simple test
those born prematurely, the
to determine whether your child
disease can be a serious cause
has strep.
for concern and may even lead
to their being admitted to the
hospital for treatment and care.
HOW IS IT TREATED?
Over-the-counter treatments
may offer some relief, but if
MORE
your child’s symptoms aren’t
> MedlinePlus
improving, antibiotics may be
> Centers for Disease Control
needed to combat the bacteria.
and Prevention
> American Lung Association
> American Academy MORE
of Pediatrics
> KidsHealth
> Mayo Clinic
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 Make sure your family

stays healthy
with more tips and advice at
MetroParent.com/Health.