Top 18 Most Common Illnesses in Children That Parents Should Keep an Eye On

Typhoid fever is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. The disease spreads easily when the bacteria from an infected person's stool contaminate food or drink, passing the infection to others. Annually, around 16 to 33 million people worldwide are affected by typhoid fever, with 500,000 to 600,000 deaths. The World Health Organization classifies typhoid fever as a serious public health threat.

Typhoid fever is most common in children aged 5-16. Key symptoms include continuous fever, often rising to 40°C, profuse sweating, gastroenteritis, and non-bloody diarrhea. Less frequently, a rose-colored rash may appear. While most cases of typhoid are not fatal, the disease is treatable with antibiotics, and when given promptly, the death rate drops to around 1%. Without treatment, typhoid can persist for three weeks to a month, with mortality rates rising to 10-30% in untreated cases.

Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The clinical characteristic of the disease is the formation of a false membrane at the site of infection. Some bacterial strains produce toxins that lead to myocarditis and peripheral nerve inflammation. The disease spreads mainly through contact with an infected person or asymptomatic carriers via respiratory secretions or through contaminated fluids from skin lesions containing the diphtheria bacteria.

In temperate regions, diphtheria typically spreads via the respiratory route, with peak occurrences during the winter months. Diphtheria primarily affects children, with 80% of cases occurring in those under 15 years of age who have not been vaccinated. The incidence is highest in areas with dense, impoverished populations.

Autism is a disorder related to abnormal brain development and behavior that manifests before a child turns 3 years old, with a persistent and unchanging progression. It is characterized by a decline in communication and social responses, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors.

A recent statistic from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the prevalence of autism is increasing, with 1 in 88 children affected. In Vietnam, the trend of rising autism cases has also been observed in recent years.

According to the Hanoi education sector's statistics, autism is the most common disability in schools, with autistic children accounting for around 30% of students with learning disabilities. This figure does not fully reflect the situation, as many children with autism are unable to attend school at the appropriate age. A major concern is the limited information available about this condition in Asia in general, and Vietnam in particular, which may impact the treatment process for affected children.

Hemophilia is a disorder that affects the blood's ability to clot. Clotting is the process where blood transitions from a liquid to a gel-like state to prevent bleeding. There are several types of hemophilia, all of which can cause prolonged bleeding.

If there is bleeding and a cut occurs, the blood will flow for a longer period compared to individuals without the condition. Minor cuts typically do not pose significant problems. However, it becomes concerning when bleeding occurs from larger wounds or internal bleeding within the joints. Hemophilia is a lifelong condition, but with proper treatment and self-care, most individuals with hemophilia can maintain a normal lifestyle and engage in regular activities. Initially, due to limited mobility, an infant with hemophilia may not experience much bleeding. However, as the child becomes more active, engaging in activities like crawling, falling, and touching various surfaces, bruising may appear on the skin. For more active children, bleeding into soft tissues occurs more frequently.

Polio occurs year-round, with environmental factors playing a key role in how the virus spreads between humans and the development of antibodies. In regions with poor hygiene, early exposure to the virus means that most children under 15 have already developed antibodies against polio. Humans are the sole source of the polio virus.

Those infected with the virus may not show clinical symptoms, and individuals with the mild or non-paralytic form are the most common carriers. Some animals may carry the polio virus, but they are not capable of transmitting it to humans. Milk is another potential source of transmission during outbreaks. Flies and cockroaches serve as vectors, transporting the virus from human feces to healthy individuals.

The main transmission route for polio is through the digestive system, either directly or indirectly via contaminated food, water, or dirty hands. In rare cases, the virus may be spread through respiratory droplets. Children under the age of 5 are most commonly affected, though infants under 6 months are protected by antibodies passed from their mothers. Boys are more likely to develop paralysis, while in adults, the disease is more prevalent in females. Fortunately, we can prevent this disease by vaccinating children against polio.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common developmental disorder in children. The condition is characterized by excessive hyperactivity paired with a decreased ability to focus. ADHD significantly impacts a child's ability to learn and can make social interactions difficult.

Recent studies show that 3 to 5 out of every 100 children are affected by this disorder, with symptoms typically starting before the age of 7. In Vietnam, a study of 1,594 students in two primary schools in Hanoi found that the prevalence of ADHD is 3.01%.

Outer ear infections are caused by bacterial or fungal infections of the thin skin in the ear canal (the space between the eardrum and the outside of the ear). These infections often occur when bacteria or fungi from water enter the ear, especially during swimming or when there is a foreign object in the ear. Children with skin conditions are more susceptible to these infections. Symptoms of an outer ear infection include pain, itching, pus drainage, and hearing loss. Middle ear infections occur when fluid accumulates in the middle ear, leading to an infection.

In children, the eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the throat, is shorter and wider than in adults, making it easier for bacteria and fluids from the nose and throat to enter the middle ear, causing infections. Common symptoms of middle ear infections in children include fever, poor appetite, hearing loss, ear pain, and vomiting.

Laryngitis is a common illness that typically appears during the transition from autumn to winter. The colder temperatures, along with the shorter respiratory tracts of children, which lack the warmth provided by nasal hair in adults, make it difficult for the air to be properly warmed before reaching the respiratory system. This increases the risk of infection in the larynx, and viruses and bacteria can easily invade the area, causing illness in children.

In addition, young children are highly active and often shout, which puts excess strain on the vocal cords, making them more prone to irritation and inflammation. When the vocal cords become swollen and inflamed, their shape changes, resulting in distorted sound and symptoms like coughing, dry cough, and hoarseness.

Conjunctivitis is an infection caused by the Adenovirus or by bacteria such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, or Pneumococcus, affecting the eyes. These viruses and bacteria thrive in environments with high humidity, particularly when the weather shifts from sunny to rainy.

Thus, during seasonal changes or sudden weather fluctuations, young children are particularly susceptible to this illness. Conjunctivitis is transmitted through the respiratory route, through contact with infected individuals. The most notable symptom of conjunctivitis is red, swollen eyelids, often with excessive discharge from the eyes.

Measles is a contagious disease caused by the measles virus. The disease has a high risk of spreading quickly, as the measles virus is transmitted through nasal and throat secretions of infected individuals, which enter the air and subsequently the respiratory system of others, causing illness in children.

The initial symptoms of measles include a high fever, loss of appetite, and a rash. If not detected and treated promptly, measles can lead to complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, meningitis, and diarrhea.

Chickenpox is a contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is also known as the 'crazy fruit' disease. The illness spreads quickly through respiratory droplets when an infected person is in close contact with others. Chickenpox is most common in children, as they do not have natural immunity to the virus.

Chickenpox typically begins with mild symptoms like a low fever, runny nose, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, and red, itchy rashes. If not identified and treated in time, chickenpox can lead to serious neurological complications.

Vaccination is the most effective and long-term method to prevent chickenpox. For children, getting vaccinated against chickenpox is especially important. If you have young children, make sure to take them to a trusted healthcare provider to receive the vaccine according to the prescribed dosage.

Sore throat is a common illness among young children. If not detected and treated promptly, it can lead to complications such as respiratory infections, ear infections, tonsillitis, or even acute nephritis. Therefore, parents should remain vigilant and take their child to a hospital if the sore throat lasts for several days with a fever and other warning signs of worsening conditions.

Most children around the world will experience a sore throat, typically caused by viruses or bacteria. The symptoms include painful swallowing, sore throat, swollen throat, and fever. However, sore throat symptoms can be present in many other illnesses, which can lead to confusion. While sore throat is treatable with medication, parents should take their children to a doctor to determine the root cause for effective treatment.

Many people find it difficult to differentiate between a common cold and the flu. This is understandable since they share similar symptoms. Influenza typically causes high fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. It is particularly dangerous for children, as it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia.

The U.S. health authorities recommend that everyone get an annual flu vaccination, with children as young as 6 months eligible for the flu shot. In Vietnam, flu vaccines are now available, and parents can visit vaccination centers for more information and guidance.

Before the advent of the vaccine, rotavirus was one of the leading causes of death in children, primarily manifesting through symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. The majority of rotavirus-related deaths were due to dehydration in infants. If you suspect a child is infected with rotavirus, it's essential to seek immediate medical attention at a hospital.

This virus spreads rapidly, causing inflammation of the stomach and intestines, and during the late winter to early spring months, affected individuals experience severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, stomach pain, and dehydration, particularly in infants, young children, and some adults.

While these symptoms can be treated with medication, there is no cure for the virus itself. Even vaccinated children can still contract rotavirus more than once. Currently, there are two types of rotavirus vaccines for infants, and studies show that the introduction of these vaccines has significantly reduced the number of children suffering from rotavirus-induced diarrhea.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an acute infectious illness caused by a virus, commonly affecting children (over 90%). The disease can occur sporadically or in localized outbreaks, especially in summer, in crowded areas with poor sanitation. Symptoms include blisters on the hands, feet, and in the mouth. Many patients are misdiagnosed with other skin conditions like chickenpox, impetigo, or allergies, leading to incorrect treatments and further spread of the disease. It is caused by certain strains of enteric viruses.

In recent years, Southeast Asia has seen outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by Enterovirus type 71. Unlike the classic Coxsackie strains, Enterovirus type 71 can lead to severe complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, pneumonia, myocarditis, and even death. This virus spreads easily and is transmitted directly from person to person. Healthy individuals become infected by inhaling or ingesting droplets from the respiratory or digestive tract that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through direct contact with the fluid from blisters or stools of infected individuals.

Malnutrition is a condition caused by the lack of essential nutrients that negatively affects the body's vital functions, growth, and development. This can occur due to improper eating habits, reduced nutrient intake, excessive nutrient consumption, or a combination of these factors.

Children suffering from malnutrition face risks such as a higher mortality rate for children under 5, physical and mental developmental delays, poor height growth, and weakened muscle and bone development. Malnourished children are often sluggish, lethargic, and have poor communication, which can also hinder their learning and retention.

Pneumonia is an infection that affects the lungs, occurring when bacteria or viruses become trapped in the lungs and multiply, creating infection pockets. The most common bacteria responsible are pneumococcus, along with other viruses that can also cause the disease.

The disease often appears when a child is suffering from a cough or cold. During this time, the mucus produced in the lungs becomes a rich nutrient source for the bacteria. After a few days, these pathogens can rapidly multiply, forming pus-filled sacs and infected mucus in the alveoli. Coughing is a crucial defense reflex that helps expel mucus from the alveoli before infection can take hold.

Pneumonia, if not diagnosed and treated promptly, can lead to a high risk of death in children under 5. On average, children experience 4 to 5 respiratory infections each year. Pneumonia accounts for one-third of all child mortality causes in children under 5 years old.