6 Old Wives Myths About Common Childhood Illnesses You Must Know

6 Old Wives Myths About Common Childhood Illnesses You Must Know

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Every parent constantly has a thing to say when it comes to their baby's health. Many are facts, but most are mere theories and personal beliefs handed down through generations, which we now call "myths". It is sostrange how myths have gotten deeply rooted, and influenced one's disposition concerning particular health concerns when a lot of it weren't even proven to be true.

Let us look into some of these well-known myths concerning childhood illnesses and discover the truth behind them.

1. Limit water consumption to stop watery diarrhea

This is a fatal myth because it can actually kill the kid. In my practice, I have had quite a few pediatric patients admitted in the hospital for severe dehydration. Sometimes, the child is already lethargic, or even worse-comatose. And every time I asked the mother why rehydration was not given at home, a lot answered what they think was appropriate. These folks thought withholding drinking water from the baby would cure the diarrhea with a simple reasoning that, if the baby doesn't take in water, he doesn't have water anymore to expel from the body, and thus the watery diarrhea should stop. But that is not true, even if it may sound like common sense.

There are many pathologic reasons for diarrhea. It can be brought about by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses or parasites that change the intestinal lining milieu, enabling body water to flush back to the intestines. Or it could be that, water from the body is osmotically driven into the intestine by undigested foods. Whatever the cause, only the medical doctor can say. The most essential thing to do though, is to keep the child hydrated by offering oral rehydrating solutions. It is imperative to replace the volume of water loss by the kid because it could lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, resulting to seizures, shock, and death.

2. It is normal for the infant to get fever and oftentimes diarrhea, as soon as he begins to grow teeth.

Most mothers and fathers don't seem concerned when their child gets fever and mild diarrhea at the time when their kid is starting to grow teeth. For them, that is a natural phenomenon which comes along with teething that will resolve spontaneously. It ought to be realized however, that when the child starts to grow teeth, he has tendency to put things into his mouth, introducing viruses and bacteria. Once these are swallowed, they result in an infection to the gastrointestinal tract creating milddiarrhea and fever. But since the most common offending organisms are viruses, the ailment will normally resolve without treatment. Viral infection is self-limiting that can normally resolve after 7-10 days.

3. Children are more likely to transmit colds and flu just before the symptoms appear.

Viruses that bring about colds and flu are passed by way of oral or nasal droplets which are coughed-up or sneezed-out. Therefore, they diffusemost easily when symptoms of coughing and sneezing are at their worst.

4. Having chickenpox confers a lifetime immunity to the virus which causes it.

If the child has chickenpox, the virus named Varicella zoster develops a latent infection in his sensory neurons. This virus could get reactivated usually at an adult age. If reactivated, shingles develops. Though shingles is unusual in kids, immunocompromised young children are still prone to it.

5. Exposure to measles does not warrant isolation.

Measles is an extremely contagious viral infection characterized by high grade fever and a macular pinkish rash which first appears in the head, propagates downward, and fades in a similar manner. In order to stop the spread of measles, sufferers should be isolated from the 7th day after exposure till 5 days after the rash appears.

6. It is best to treat mild fevers right away

At times, it is best not to deal with mild fevers immediately particularly if the child is fairly joyful and energetic. Fevers helpfight infections by killing viruses and bacteria that can not endure higher than normal body temperatures. Fevers also activate the body's immune system getting rid of infectious organisms which have specialized types of resistance. Thus, one may forego offering Acetaminophen to a feverish but energetic baby, except if the family has a strong history of benign febrile seizure. But if the child is miserable and weak even at low level fever, it is therefore far better to treat it immediately.

There are countless of myths that surround us. Myths vary fromdifferent locations and cultures. Some are simply misinterpretations of science, or a product of one's creative imagination. Probably, others still remain to be founded on outdated science. But wherever they come from and how sensible they may sound, plenty of them just aren't true.

About the Author:
They say your kid is a reflection of you. Visit Gagazine.com to learn how to raise a better child by raising a better parent (YOU) first with Gagazine's pregnancy advice and parenting tips.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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