7 Common Illnesses among School-Aged Children: A Guide for Parents

Returning to school brings great joy, but at the same time, it raises parents' concerns about the spread of illnesses among children.

While some of these diseases can be prevented through vaccinations, there is little that can be done to prevent others except taking steps to reduce your child's risk of infection. Here is some useful information about 7 common illnesses that affect school-aged children to help you be more prepared to monitor symptoms and deal with them.

Common Illnesses in Children

These illnesses range from mild, such as the common cold, to more serious. The following are common illnesses among school-aged children:

Upper Respiratory Infections: Such as the common cold, flu, and sore throat, these are very common. It is normal for children under the age of 5 to get them 12 times a year, but this decreases to 6 times a year among elementary school children.

Symptoms: Cough, nasal congestion and runny nose, sore throat, fever, and muscle and joint aches (sometimes).

Transmission: Through droplets produced by coughing and sneezing, and by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose, mouth, or eyes.

Prevention: Get the flu vaccine annually, wash hands regularly, avoid contact with infected people, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and disinfect surfaces regularly.

Treatment: Symptoms usually improve on their own within a week or two, and medications can be taken to relieve symptoms (pain relievers/fever reducers, and nasal sprays to reduce congestion). Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial infections based on a doctor's diagnosis.

Gastroenteritis: This is a temporary inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Although viruses are the most common cause, bacteria and parasites can also cause it.

Chickenpox: Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease, especially among children, and causes a painful and itchy rash.

Head Lice: Lice are small insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. They are common, especially among children.

Otitis Media: Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, the area behind the eardrum.

Urinary Tract Infection: An infection that affects parts of the urinary system and is common in children, especially girls.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: A common viral infection that affects young children, especially infants and young children in the first five years. This virus is characterized by a distinctive rash on the hands, feet, and mouth, as well as some other symptoms.