Doctors reveal 5 diseases that often spread among children during the school term, such as COVID-19, influenza, hand, foot, and mouth disease, etc. Recommend ways to take care of children’s health so they don’t get sick during the school term!

As the new school term begins, children will have to return to more congregating environments, such as classrooms and other crowded spaces, which are sources of germs that can easily spread. This is especially true for young children whose immune systems are not yet fully developed. Making them more susceptible to infection than usual.

5 diseases that are common among children during the school term

COVID-19 

Infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has mutated into new strains from time to time. Currently, Thailand still has patients and deaths from this disease, เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา but the symptoms are not severe.

Most patients have mild or only mild symptoms, such as dry cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue, low-grade fever, or loss of taste or smell. However, caution should be exercised in the elderly, those with underlying medical conditions. Or those with weakened immune systems, such as young children, as they may develop severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, pneumonia, or other complications.

COVID complications in children

One of the most significant complications is multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). Which typically occurs 2 to 8 weeks after infection and is characterized by fever and symptoms in at least two other systems, such as:

• Gastrointestinal system (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting)
• Skin and mucous membranes (rash, red eyes, swollen hands and feet)
• Cardiovascular system (chest pain, low blood pressure)
• Nervous system or other systems

influenza

Another common disease among school children is a respiratory disease caused. By the Influenza virus, which has many strains and changes all the time. Symptoms include sudden high fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and possible complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, seizures from high fever, or myocarditis.

Influenza is a preventable childhood disease with proper and consistent health care. Vaccination and good hygiene are important to reduce the risk and prevent a widespread outbreak.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood disease caused by a virus in the enterovirus group. It is most common in young children under 5 years old and has symptoms of high fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, and blisters or sores in the mouth, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Usually, hand, foot and mouth disease will heal on its own within 7-10 days, but in some children, severe complications can occur. It is transmitted through saliva, nasal discharge, fluid from blisters, feces. And items that children share, such as toys, drinking glasses, towels, etc.

There is currently a vaccine to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71). It can be administered from 6 months to 5 years of age, with 2 injections, 1 month apart.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

It is a respiratory infection that is common in young children. Which can be frequently found during the rainy season and can be easily spread through various secretions such as mucus, saliva, or contact with objects contaminated with the virus. Infected children will start to show symptoms within 4-6 days after exposure to the virus. Initially, symptoms are similar to the flu, including fever, dry cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of appetite, and may lead to other complications such as breathing problems, bronchitis, or pneumonia. In some cases, it can be fatal if the respiratory system fails.

RSV is one of the respiratory infections in children that must be closely monitored. Currently, there is a ready-made immunization, Nirsevimab, to prevent respiratory infections caused by RSV virus. It is recommended to be vaccinated before the RSV outbreak season (June – October).

• First season: Recommended for healthy infants less than 8 months of age and infants 12 months of age who are considered at high risk for severe RSV infection.
• Season 2: Recommended for vaccination in children younger than 19 months who are at risk for severe RSV illness.

Chickenpox

This disease is caused by the Varicella-Zoster virus. Which is easily transmitted through breathing (droplets) or contact with water from the blisters of an infected person. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, red rash, and blisters on the body and face. Normally, the blisters will disappear within 7-10 days, but complications can occur in children with weak immunity, such as bacterial skin infections. However, chickenpox can be prevented with a vaccine. It is recommended to get the first dose of chickenpox vaccine at 12-15 months of age. And get a second booster dose at 18 months to 4 years of age.

The school term is when children are at risk of contracting various diseases. Many childhood diseases can spread easily in environments where children are in large groups. The five most common childhood diseases have important preventive measures. Including getting vaccinated according to their age, maintaining good hygiene, such as washing hands and wearing a mask in crowded areas, observing any unusual symptoms, and seeing a doctor immediately if you feel unwell. Being aware of the initial symptoms and not neglecting treatment will help reduce the risk of illness and possible complications.