Sending your child to daycare is great way for them to get a jump start on learning and social interactions with other children their age. Don’t be surprised, however, if your child comes home with one of these five common daycare ailments.
Sending your child to daycare is great way for them to get a jump start on learning and social interactions with other children their age. Don’t be surprised, however, if your child comes home with one of these five common daycare ailments.
Daycares are a necessary arrangement for many busy families. Research shows there is an increased risk of infection within daycare centers. The constant comings and goings of children, their families, and daycare supervisors provides the perfect environment for communicable germs.
When daycare administrators notice a child may be infected with any sort of ailment, they should notify a parent or guardian immediately. Leaving common daycare ailments untreated and ignored can not only worsen conditions for the child, but allow transmission of the infection to others.
Parents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of these common conditions. AGC Pediatrics can diagnose treat, and manage the symptoms of common daycare ailments.
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, can be either a bacterial or viral infection. Eyes may appear reddish or pink with discharge and tearing. Pink eye is spread with hand to eye contact, which many children may do without washing their hands in between. Contact with respiratory droplets can also transmit pink eye.
Children of any age can be infected with pink eye; bacterial cases will need to be treated with antibiotic drops or ointment. This infection is extremely contagious. Preventative measures include persistent hand washings and isolation of infected children.
Croup is a disease that is transmitted through airborne germs after coughing. Children may experience symptoms similar to those of a cold, followed by a hoarse voice and noisy breathing that leads to a barking cough. Croup is most common in children under the age of 6, mostly around 2 years.
A cold mist humidifier, saltwater nose drops and appropriate fever medication can help relieve croup symptoms. Prescription anti-inflammatories and steroids are rarely needed, but can be prescribed in more severe cases.
An ear infection is not actually a contagious illness; however, it develops after a child has a viral infection, which are transmissible. Ear infections are extremely common in children 6 months to 3 years, and almost all children experience an ear infection before the age of 7.
Ear pain which may translate into crying, irritability, touching the ear, or pus draining from the ear, are common symptoms of an infection. Pediatric physicians will treat ear infections with child safe pain medications, antibiotics, and fever reducers.
Chickenpox are an extremely contagious infection in school age children, however with the vaccination there have been less occurrences of chickenpox. Symptoms include an itchy rash all over the skin, fever and fatigue.
Chickenpox is transferred from children by direct contact with chickenpox blisters and cough or runny nose discharge. Children are primarily infectious 1-2 days before their outbreak. Most children must run the course of the outbreak and are no longer contagious after blisters have scabbed. Occasionally an antiviral medication may be prescribed.
Head lice are tiny insects that infest the scalp and hair. It is most common in children between the ages of 3 and 11, between preschool and elementary school. Lice are spread through direct contact with the hair, clothes, combs and brushes, and other textiles of an infested person.
Symptoms include itching of the scalp, visible lice that are approximately 2-3 mm, and nits (lice eggs) on hair. Over-the-counter medication is available for treatment and prescription medication is offered to patients with severe or persistent cases. Because other objects may carry lice of the infested person, houses should be cleaned and vacuumed thoroughly and clothing and textile objects should be washed with hot water.
AGC Pediatrics is the local pediatric clinic that treats newborns to adults of 21 years of age. If your child has symptoms that resemble any of these common daycare ailments, schedule an appointment with us today.
Additionally, we offer patients behavioral medicine and overall health and wellness. Call 706-625-5900 or message our staff using our online patient portal.
AGC Pediatrics is a faith-based Christian organization serving all of God’s children since 2006.
