It’s always a worrying time when your child becomes unwell with a fever, cough, or rash. It can send you into a panic not knowing how serious the condition is or if they need to see a doctor or not. For the most part children under two will come down with illnesses from time to time. Young children, just like everyone else, can be affected by the seasonal cold and flu, among some other conditions unique only to their age group. Read on for the five most common conditions affecting infants.

Most of these conditions don’t have any cure so it must be left up to the body’s immune system to take care of it. Some medicines and best practices do exist, however, to treat the symptoms, like coughing and stomach sickness. While there may not be any quick cure for these illnesses you can equip yourself with the knowledge of what to look out for and how to treat the conditions when they start to present. 

Common Cold 

It can be disconcerting when your young child comes down with a fever, sore throat, or cough. Luckily their immune systems tend to be strong, and they can fight off this seasonal condition in between five to seven days. Supporting your child through a common cold is not much different from supporting yourself. Lots of fluids and rest are recommended.

The natural solutions tend to be the best for common colds. If your child is particularly uncomfortable, children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used to reduce their fever. However, be advised that these medications are strong for young children and should be used with care. Always consult your pediatrician, especially if your child is younger than six months. Always make sure you are happy with the medical treatment your child receives.

It might be tempting to use some over-the-counter cold or flu medicine to reduce your child’s symptoms, but this is not a good idea. The dosages are not designed for young children and can lead to overdoses. Instead moisturise the airways and use an aspiration to remove extra mucus. 

Congestion 

One of the most common conditions affecting almost all infants at some point is congestion. It can present in two main forms: nasal congestion and chest congestion. Although it can be worrying for parents there are 13 ways to help your congested baby breathe. 

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The most common type of congestion is nasal congestion. This is when your baby suffers from a stuffy or runny nose making it hard for them to eat or breathe. A common cold or infection can cause it. The other type is chest congestion. This is the scariest as it causes significant breathing difficulties for your baby, but luckily, it’s the least common of the two.

To ease the symptoms of these ailments keep your baby hydrated. Plenty of fluids will help flush out their system and control excess mucus. Also, sit your baby upright as much as possible so that gravity can assist in the alleviation of their condition. 

RSV

RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus which can be a very serious condition affecting infants. Particularly those under two years old or those who have an underlying health condition. It can be challenging to determine whether your baby has RSV or just a common cold, but there are some signs to look out for. 

In most cases infants will have symptoms that resemble a common cold, that is: fever, cough, excess mucus. But RSV is slightly different.it is a virus that affects the lungs causing severe breathing difficulties. It can be a very serious condition, especially for those with a congenital heart condition or chronic lung disease. 

It’s estimated that 150,000 children a year are hospitalised because of the condition. But this is the best place to be if they come down with the virus. If your child is wheezing, breathing too quickly, or has a blue tinge on their lips, you must consult an emergency doctor right away.

Roseola

Roseola is a very common condition that affects infants and toddlers until the age of two years old. After this age it is highly unlikely that your child will be affected by the disease. It is a viral disease that displays cold-like symptoms. A sudden high temperature, a sore throat, a runny nose, are all common, as is a loss of appetite and swollen glands, especially in the neck. 

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The good news is that in most cases of the disease you may not even notice your child has it, or it may present as a simple cold. Sometimes, however, kids can become quite sick with a fever, congestion, and coughing. Symptoms can be treated in the same way as a common cold. Plenty of fluid and rest. Ibuprofen can also be used. If symptoms last for more than three days contact your doctor. 

Gastroenteritis

You would be a fortunate parent to live through your child’s infancy without experiencing this common stomach condition, commonly called a tummy bug. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain and is the result of a viral infection. There is no one particular virus that causes it but some are well known, such as the norovirus, that is easily transmitted between children and spreads easily. 

The majority of tummy bugs clear up within a few days and only require fluids and deep rest. It’s important to be careful with liquid, however, as your child may not be able to keep this down. Start with only a little, such as a tablespoon of liquid every 15 minutes to see how they are getting on. It can take up to three days for bugs like this to pass. So bare that in mind when timing their recovery. 

After your child is able to hold down liquid, such as fruit juice and medicine, it’s time to introduce some solid food. Begin with small amounts of fruit, some rice, bits of toast, and nuts. If your child is able to hold these down you can slowly return them to regular meals.