As the weather cools and our kids spend more time inside, in close spaces with others, it’s the season when contagious illnesses are more frequent and often brought home from school.
When your child wakes up saying, “Mommy, I don’t feel so well,” it’s time for the frantic scrabble. You’re checking for fever, trying to remember if you have any children’s Tylenol in the cabinet, and wondering whether this warrants a call to the pediatrician.
Meanwhile, you’re doing an internet search for symptoms and trying to figure out precisely what has hit your baby. According to experts, here are some of the most common illnesses brought home from school, how to likely tell if your child is suffering from one of these illnesses, and the best way to treat them.
As always, consult directly with your healthcare provider if you believe your child requires medical assistance.
Influenza
Influenza, or “the flu,” is one of the most common respiratory illnesses.
Symptoms: The flu can be devastating, with chills, fevers, and body aches. It may present with a cough, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and fatigue. In children, it sometimes even comes with vomiting or diarrhea.
Treatment: Before your child gets sick, ask their doctor about a flu shot to prevent the strains expected to be most prevalent and dangerous this year. If your child is sick, your pediatrician may suggest antivirals or may prefer you stick to OTC meds like Tylenol. Your child should stay hydrated (popsicles may help if they can’t or won’t drink, especially electrolyte popsicles like Pedialyte pops) and get plenty of rest.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
RSV can present as a common cold but can be much more serious for some sufferers.
Symptoms: Your child is coughing, wheezing, and struggling to catch his breath. He may even stop breathing for short periods. His nose is runny, and he’s struggling to eat and drink. You may be able to tell his breath is labored when you watch him. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia.
Treatment: Hydration is critical. If your child struggles to swallow fluids, try popsicles. Use over-the-counter meds (check the ages and dosage on the bottle!) to treat symptoms. Steam can help with connection. (If you don’t have a humidifier, a steamy bathroom with a hot shower running can be a substitute.) If your child becomes lethargic or struggles with breathing, it’s time for a doctor.
Rhinovirus (Common Cold)
The rhinovirus, better known as the common cold, has numerous strains circulating.
Symptoms: Colds are typically characterized by cough, runny and/or stuffy nose, drippy eyes, congestion, and sneezing. They can also cause muscle aches, chills, and fever. Headaches or pressure in the head are common, and swollen lymph nodes and a sore throat may also occur.
Treatment: Use over-the-counter meds to soothe symptoms. Check the ages on the bottle because many medications that treat cough and congestion are not intended for younger kids. A humidifier can ease breathing, and cough drops or throat lozenges can be soothing (as long as your child is old enough for these). Remember to keep your child hydrated!
COVID-19
COVID-19, or the coronavirus variant identified in 2019, has not gone away and is quickly resurfacing for sick season.
Symptoms: Symptoms may vary by strain of COVID and sufferer, but the CDC says to watch for respiratory symptoms, including cough, congestion, and difficulty breathing. The virus can also present with fever or chills, body or muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. In some cases, there may be nausea or diarrhea. Sufferers may also lose their sense of taste and/or smell.
Treatment: Talk to your child’s doctor about getting a COVID-19 vaccine to prevent the worst symptoms of the virus. If your child has tested positive for COVID-19, antiviral medications are available by prescription, but these should be started soon after infection, so don’t delay testing. You can also treat symptoms with OTC meds. Seek emergency help if your child has increased difficulty breathing, struggles staying awake, has persistent chest pain or pressure, or has skin changes that indicate decreased oxygenation.
Croup (Parainfluenza Viruses)
Croup is a respiratory illness caused by parainfluenza viruses and can be severe in young children.
Symptoms: Parainfluenzas, or croup, can present very similarly to the common cold, with fever, runny nose, cough, sneezing, and sore throat. Ear pain and irritability also may be present. The CDC warns that more severe cases may involve wheezing, barking cough, high-pitched sound when breathing, or hoarseness, and in addition to croup, a parainfluenza virus can result in bronchitis or pneumonia.
Treatment: Research is being done for a vaccine. In the meantime, use OTC meds to address symptoms, keep your child hydrated, and use steam to help open airways. If symptoms worsen or do not improve, contact your pediatrician. Also, seek medical care if your child is struggling to breathe or is difficult to wake or keep awake.
Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis, often shortened to ‘mono,’ is an illness caused by several viruses.
Symptoms: Mono presents with a sore throat, fever, head and body aches, and extreme fatigue. Lymph glands in the armpit and neck may be swollen, and there may be a rash. In severe cases, the liver or spleen may be swollen.
Treatment: The symptoms of mono can be treated with over-the-counter medications. If your child has mono, they will need plenty of fluids and rest. According to Medline, most patients recover in two to four weeks, but some may have symptoms for months.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can be passed from person to person by coughing, sneezing, or sharing food and drinks.
Symptoms: Strep is most strongly associated with a sore throat. Swallowing may be painful, tonsils may swell, and tiny red dots may be visible on the roof of the mouth. Fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, rash, and body aches may also be present.
Treatment: Strep throat is bacterial, so it is treated with antibiotics. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help with symptoms until the antibiotics start working. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is vital to take antibiotic treatments because otherwise, the bacteria can spread to other areas, including the sinuses, skin, and blood, and can lead to more serious infections like scarlet fever or kidney inflammation.
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
Hand, foot, and mouth disease, commonly shortened to HFMD, is a highly contagious viral illness.
Symptoms: HFMD typically presents with a rash on hands and feet and painful sores in the mouth. The child may also have a fever and sore throat. Although it is contagious and can be contracted at any age, it is most common in children under 5.
Treatment: Most children recover independently for several days or a week. Your pediatrician may recommend pain meds. It’s important to keep your child hydrated, but it may be difficult since the mouth sores can make swallowing painful.
Pink Eye
Pink eye is the common name for conjunctivitis, which can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, an allergy, or, in young babies, even a blocked tear duct.
Symptoms: The primary symptom of pink eye gives it its name — redness or pinkness in the whites of the eyes, due to swollen blood vessels. The eyes can also be itchy, or feel gritty, and may be sensitive to light. Eyes may have discharge, which may be crusty.
Treatment: Antibiotics are usually not prescribed for pink eye, though they may be in the case of a bacterial infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, antivirals may be used if the cause is the herpes simplex virus. Steroids or antiinflammatory drops may also be prescribed. Other recommended treatments include artificial tears and warm or cool compresses.
Chicken Pox
Chickenpox is a viral illness that causes an itchy blistery rash and can typically be prevented by vaccination.
Symptoms: The primary symptom of chicken pox is a rash of tiny dots that can blister and scab over. There may also be a fever. For most children, it is mild and passes within about a week; for most people, one about of chicken pox results in lifetime immunity. In some cases, though, it may be life-threatening.
Treatment: The CDC warns that children with chicken pox should never use aspirin, as it can lead to Reye’s Syndrome. You can use other OTC meds like Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Your doctor may also recommend OTC treatments for itching and rash. Antiviral treatments may be recommended for those with more severe illness risk factors.