You have probably updated your child’s health profile with all the required vaccinations. However, School Diseases is common for children to still fall sick, especially when they go to school and come in contact with other children who may be unwell.
Take a look at 3 of the most common school diseases to find out how they spread and what you can do about it.
1. Hand Foot And Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Hand foot and mouth disease is one of the most common and contagious diseases that affects children in school. It is a type of viral infection and is most common school diseases during the autumn or spring season and sometimes during a seasonal change.
Symptoms – Fever accompanied by red rashes in the next 2 to 3 days. The rashes will appear in the mouth, tongue, gums, soles of the feet and palms. Eventually they will turn into blisters.
Taking Care
- Once you notice the fever and the rashes, get your child examined by the doctor immediately. The rashes should disappear in the first week itself.
- Let your child sip on cool fluids to ease any discomfort that the mouth rashes can cause. Spicy or acidic foods will cause a burning sensation and pain, so avoid those.
- The doctor may ask you to wait and watch without any medication. Do get in touch if the fever or rashes do not subside.
2. Pains Resulting From Growth Spurts
Also known as growing up pains, your child can experience pain and discomfort in the joints as well as muscles, especially in the legs. There is nothing to worry here from a health perspective, as this is a natural part of growing up.
Symptoms: Your child will often complain of discomfort and a dull or sometimes severe type of pain around the knee area. It could also be present in the ankle or other parts of the leg.
Taking Care
- Encourage your child to do basic stretching exercises at home. To ease the pain, you can massage your child’s legs with dry hands, or use some herbal or natural oil.
- Try placing a warm compress if the pain is too much, or if it causes too much discomfort.
- You can speak to your child’s doctor and meet a physiotherapist, who can then assist with some specific exercises that can help. You can get in touch with our professional team to assist you with the right physiotherapy care.
3. Norovirus Infection
This is yet another infection that is triggered by eating contaminated food, or food that has not been cooked properly and is still somewhat undercooked. Norovirus infection can also spread if your child touches a surface that is contaminated by the virus, or holds an infected child’s hand.
Symptoms: Inflammation in the lining of the large intestine and stomach which can cause stomach pain. Your child may also have bouts of diarrhea and vomiting.
Taking Care
- Make sure your child drinks lots of fluids and stays hydrated at all times, especially in case of vomiting and diarrhea.
- Reduce and stop the intake of sugary or sweet items to ease the diarrhea.
- If the condition does not get better in a week, or if the diarrhoea does not stop in 3 to 4 days, take your child to the doctor immediately.
Most children will get affected with some or the other infection during school years, so speak to your child’s doctor about preventive measures and vaccines. Also, educate your child about hygiene and ways to stay healthy.
