There are top 10 childhood diseases, infectious and noninfectious, you probably don’t know that they exist. Some of them are fatal if not treated in time, while others can be effectively cured with the right treatment. But all of them are worth knowing about and getting to know how to spot and treat them as soon as possible if you want to keep your kids safe from potentially dangerous infections that could lead to long-term health issues or even death if left untreated. The next time your child gets sick, check his symptoms against these 10 childhood diseases you didn’t know existed!
10 Childhood Diseases
1) Parasitic Infections
Parasitic infections are among the most common childhood diseases worldwide. These diseases are caused by parasites, which are small organisms that live off other organisms. Parasitic infections can cause a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. In some cases, parasitic infections can also lead to death.
Some of the more prevalent types of parasitic infections include tapeworms, roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, whipworms, schistosomes (bilharzia), and leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is one type of parasitic infection that causes lesions on exposed parts of the body (including skin) to form when left untreated. If you suspect your child has been infected with any type of parasite or any other kind of disease or illness, contact your physician as soon as possible.
2) Viral infections
Viral infections are some of the most common diseases in children. They’re caused by viruses, which are tiny infectious particles. The viruses that cause the flu, colds, and gastroenteritis are all examples of viral infections. Many of these infections can be prevented by vaccines.
The mumps, measles, and rubella vaccine is recommended for every child who is born after 1989. Children who have not been vaccinated against these three diseases should get two doses of the MMR vaccine before they enter school or childcare. Rotavirus vaccine prevents rotavirus infection, a common cause of diarrhea in young children worldwide. Hepatitis A vaccine protects against hepatitis A virus infection.
3) Illnesses linked to hygiene
Good hygiene habits are important for preventing the spread of disease. Unfortunately, there are still many childhood diseases that are linked to poor hygiene. Here are 10 of them:
1. Trachoma – This eye infection is caused by bacteria that thrive in unclean environments. It’s the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world.
2. Cholera – This waterborne disease is caused by contaminated water or food. It can lead to severe dehydration and even death if left untreated.
3. Typhoid fever – Another waterborne disease, typhoid fever is caused by contaminated water or food as
well. It’s a serious illness that can be fatal if left untreated.
4) Neurological disorders
Many neurological disorders are first diagnosed in childhood. These disorders can cause problems with movement, learning, hearing, seeing, and behavior. Some common neurological disorders include autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Tourette syndrome. Other conditions that affect the brain such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy also happen at a higher rate in children than adults.
5) Genetic conditions
Many childhood diseases are caused by genetics. One example is sickle cell anemia, which is caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. Other examples include cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease. These diseases can be passed down from parents to their children. For some genetic conditions, like Huntington’s disease, carriers have no symptoms but can pass it on to their offspring. For other genetic conditions like sickle cell anemia, carriers do not always develop symptoms themselves but they still pass it on to their children
6) Physical Disorders
The first type of childhood disease is physical disorders. These include conditions like autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome. Each one manifests differently, and children with these disorders often have difficulty in school and social situations. Early diagnosis and intervention can help children with physical disorders lead more normal lives.
7) Injuries and surgeries
Children are more susceptible to diseases because their immune system is not fully developed. Some of the most common childhood diseases are chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella. These diseases can be prevented with vaccinations. Other common childhood diseases include hand, foot, and mouth disease, fifth disease, and roseola. Some of these diseases are caused by viruses, while others are caused by bacteria. Injuries and surgeries often pose as a risk for children because they have a decreased ability to fight off infections.
8) Endocrine disorders
Endocrine disorders are a type of childhood disease that can interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including growth problems, reproductive issues, and metabolism problems. Some common endocrine disorders include diabetes, hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency.
Diabetes is one of the most well-known endocrine disorders because it has an extremely high mortality rate (over 60% after 20 years). Symptoms vary from person to person, but they often involve increased thirst and urination as well as unexplained weight loss. Diabetes is managed by taking insulin or other medications on a regular basis, eating right and exercising regularly.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms may include weight gain or loss despite a stable diet; cold intolerance; fatigue; muscle weakness; depression; constipation; memory loss; difficulty concentrating; dry skin or hair. The treatment for hypothyroidism is thyroid hormone replacement therapy or medication in order to replace what your body isn’t producing naturally.
9) Cardiovascular complications
Arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, and other cardiovascular complications can occur in children with congenital heart disease. These problems can lead to heart failure and death. Infectious diseases (eight sentences): There are many childhood infectious diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and whooping cough.
These diseases can cause serious health problems, including death. Noninfectious diseases (five sentences): There are many noninfectious childhood diseases, such as allergies, asthma, diabetes, and cancer. These diseases can also cause serious health problems.
10) Infections caused by medicines
1. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
2. Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
3. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)
4. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
5. Drug-resistant candida (DRC)
6. Drug-resistant shigella (DRS)
7. Drug-resistant gonorrhea (DRG)
