Common Winter Diseases In Children

Certain diseases in children are more prevalent in winter, as the dry air facilitates the travel of infected respiratory droplets. These common winter diseases in children often don’t cause symptoms immediately, but the infected child can still spread the disease.

These winter illnesses can range from mild to severe depending upon various factors, such as the type of illness and the child’s immune system. Understanding these winter diseases and their early warning signs can help one get timely medical care and take precautions to prevent the spread of the disease. This blog discusses five common winter diseases and their prevention in children.

1. Common Cold (Rhinovirus)

Around 200 different types of rhinoviruses cause the common cold in children and adults. The cold can last for five to fourteen days during winter, and the infected child is contagious before the symptoms occur. Some symptoms of the common cold include:

1. Cough
2. Fever
3. Runny nose
4. Sore throat
5. Congestion
6. Loss of appetite

2. Flu (Influenza)

Flu is a highly communicable viral infection that affects the lungs’ air passages. It’s one of the most severe and common viral diseases in children during winter, and it usually lasts less than a week. However, in some cases, it can last longer, and the more serious cases require hospitalization. Untreated severe flu cases can lead to pneumonia and can even be fatal.

Some common symptoms of flu in children include:

1. High fever
2. Body aches, which can be severe
3. Headache
4. Sore throat
5. Cough that gets worse
6. Tiredness
7. Runny or stuffy nose

3. COVID-19

COVID-19 is an extremely contagious respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is prevalent during the winter and usually causes no or very mild symptoms in children. However, in some children, especially with underlying health conditions such as heart and lung conditions, the symptoms can be severe.

Symptoms of COVID-19 in children include:

1. Fever
2. Cough
3. Shortness of breath
4. Sore throat
5. Muscle pain
6. Runny nose

Children with no or mild symptoms are contagious for around five days, while children with moderate or severe symptoms are contagious for up to 20 days.

4. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is a seasonal virus that spreads rapidly in babies and children. For many children, symptoms of RSV resemble those of a cold. However, in the case of babies born early, infants under six months, and children with underlying health problems, RSV can cause severe complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Symptoms of RSV depend upon the child’s age and whether the infection leads to further complications. RSV is similar to the common cold and usually lasts one to three weeks. However, if the lungs get affected, the following additional symptoms, apart from common cold symptoms, can develop in infants and kids:

1. Worsening cough
2. Wheezing or whistling sound during breathing
3. Difficulty breathing
4. Difficulty with feeding and drinking

5. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by a bacteria or virus. It is more common in children under five years of age and is at a higher risk in children with a weakened immune system, chronic health problems, or lung problems.

Symptoms of pneumonia differ based on what is causing the pneumonia, a bacteria or a virus. However, some common symptoms include:

1. Mucus-producing cough
2. Abdominal pain
3. Loss of appetite
4. Chills
5. Fast or hard breathing

Other winter diseases on this list, such as influenza and COVID-19, can lead to pneumonia in some children with a weakened immune system or underlying health problems.

How to Avoid Common Cold in Winter?

The following guidelines can help parents prevent winter diseases in children:

1. Vaccination: Ensure that children receive all eligible vaccinations, including flu and COVID-19, if eligible.
2. Good Hygiene: Teach children to wash their hands regularly with soap and avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth.
3. Healthy Diet: Ensure that children follow a healthy and balanced diet, which can boost their immune system
4. Warm Clothing: Ensure children are adequately dressed in warm clothing to protect them from cold weather.

The winter season can lead to several common diseases in children. While some conditions, such as the common cold, are comparatively milder, others, such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV, can lead to severe complications, such as pneumonia, especially in children with weakened immune systems. Upon noticing the winter flu symptoms mentioned here in one’s children, it is a good idea to consult a doctor and book recommended fever tests at Dr Lal PathLabs.

FAQs

1. Is the common cold the same as the flu?

While a common cold is mild, the flu can be much more severe, leading to pneumonia and even death. Children with underlying health conditions are at a higher risk of severe flu.

2. How can children be prevented from common winter diseases?

1. Get children vaccinated
2. Teach them to wash hands regularly
3. Teach them to sneeze in the crook of the elbow or a napkin
4. Sanitise frequently touched surfaces