Common Illnesses That Kids Get

Babies cry a lot. You hear it, you see it, you’re told about it all the time. But a baby cries for a reason. They may be hungry, they may have a full diaper, or they might even be lonely. They may also be sick, with no way of telling you. You should know that babies get sick quite a bit. A pediatrician friend of mine told me that kids can get sick 8-12 times a year and that amount would be normal! It sounded like a crazy amount! But sure enough, children come home sick all the time, especially when they start school.

 School age kids get sick a lot because they are exposed to a lot. They are building up their immune systems and in doing so they have to be exposed. When they are exposed, they will show symptoms until their immune system has recognized those diseases. It takes time, but don’t worry too much. Illnesses are part of growing up. If it happens a lot, then discuss it with your pediatrician and they will tell you when it’s too much. If it turns out that your child is getting sick more often than others, then they may need to see a special doctor that specializes in the immune system.

 In any case, here is a list of some common illnesses that your child might experience. If you arm yourself with these illnesses, then you will be prepared in a lot of situations.

1.      Roseola

Roseola is known for the rash it produces. It’s pretty characteristic. This is usually found in infants from 19 months to two years old, but can also occur earlier or later. The condition starts with a sudden fever that peaks. Of course, fevers don’t feel good for kids and they often get really high ones. This is followed by a rash appearing on the skin. The good news is that once the rash makes its appearance, then the sickness is no longer infectious. There are no medicines required for your child, just care and attention to how hydrated your child stays. Try to make them as comfortable as possible. It may be worth taking them to the doctor when the fever strikes, just in case it’s something besides roseola, especially if the characteristic rash hasn’t shown up yet. They will help make the correct diagnosis.