Pediatric diseases are diseases that are usually caught during childhood. Vaccination remains the best solution to protect children from the most dangerous diseases. Do not delay seeing a children’s doctor in St. Paul, MN when your child is sick. Have your child’s health record completed by the doctor at each consultation. Attention must be paid to infantile diseases. It is true that very often, they are not severe, but some can be dangerous. Chickenpox, for example, can be very serious for babies, although it is much less severe for older children. Another example is rubella, which is not seen in children a lot. But if a pregnant woman catches rubella, it can be dire for the baby.
Childhood illnesses can also affect adults. Childhood diseases are not just for children! They also affect adults! For example, measles and mumps can cause complications in adolescents and adults. The main diseases to look out for are measles, rubella, roseola, scarlet fever, varicella, impetigo, foot-hand-mouth syndrome, mumps, bronchiolitis, and pertussis.
During childhood, the body’s defense system (immune system) is being built up little by little and therefore isn’t as strong at defending against viruses and other infections. This explains why children are more fragile than adults and catch more diseases.
Do not delay seeing a Children’s Doctor in St. Paul, MN if your child:
- Has a fever of more than 101.3°F
- Cries a lot or complains of having a terrible head or earache
- Is unusually sleepy (the child is constantly half asleep)
- Vomits profusely or has severe diarrhea
- Has a rash
Do not forget to take the child’s health records to each consultation and have it completed by the doctor. It is important to remember that the illnesses caught during childhood will protect most children against reinfection for life. If one of your children is sick, avoid contact with siblings. Do not let other children, or adults for that matter, touch anything the ill child has touched. Comforters, TV remotes, cups – everything should be cleaned before another person touches the sick child or anything they’ve handled. It is crucial not to let other people share forks, spoons, glasses, food, and drink. Wash items that have been in contact with the virus or bacteria, especially the sick child’s toys.
Pediatric & Young Adult Medicine works closely with parents to address the health and well-being of all children in the family. Get in touch with them.