It is not easy for both children and adults to keep healthy during winter season. Learning how to identify common winter diseases will make it easier for you to take care of your child when they feel sick. Knowing the signs and symptoms to look out for can also help you determine whether or not a visit from our winter GP support in Costa del Sol is needed. Here you will find a list of the most common winter illnesses and how to spot them.
7 common winter illnesses
1. Colds
The most common winter disease that makes your children not going to school is definitely a cold. It normally takes between 7 to 10 days to disappear and in fact, can happen at any time throughout the year.
Symptoms: cough, stuffy/runny nose,sneezing, mild fever, and sore throat.
2. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
RSV is a serious infection, mainly in children, produced in the airways and lungs. RSV usually lasts between 1 or 2 weeks.
Symptoms: similar symptoms to the cold, characterized by whistle-like breathing or wheezing even causing rapid breathing that might require clinical interventions.
3. Influenza (Flu)
Flu shots are available during fall season and can help to prevent this 3-7 day long viral infection.
Symptoms: headache, dry cough, muscle aches, sore throat, fever, runny nose, and fatigue .
4. Croup
The viral infection of croups can take even a week to disappear.
Symptoms: Runny nose, with presence of fever followed by barking cough and hoarseness.
5. Pneumonia
This lung infection can happen due to a virus or bacteria lasting between 2 to 3 weeks. However the use of antibiotics is common when treating bacterial pneumonia.
Symptoms: chest pain, rapid breathing, high fever, cough with yellow or green mucus, and chills. Symptoms are quickly shown.
6. Strep Throat
Strep throat is a short contagious bacterial infection easily treated with antibiotics. It usually lasts 1 or 2 days.
Symptoms: stomachache, sore throat, fever, and trouble swallowing. Even though runny nose and cough are not symptoms of strep throat, sandpaper-like rash may develop, leading to scarlet fever.
7. Stomach Flu
Intestinal viral infections that take between 1 to 3 days in disappear.
Symptoms: nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, watery diarrhea, mild fever, and fatigue.
Tips for Dealing with Winter Illnesses
Make sure you have nasal suction, saline drops, humidifiers, pain relievers and steam massage on hand. Sterilize door knobs, toys and commonly used surfaces to prevent the spread of germs.
- Fever: Administer the medication that our winter GP support in Costa del Sol will provided.
- Nausea and vomiting: In order to keep your child hydrated, try small amounts of electrolytes. To decide whether he or she is dehydrated, pay attention to the amount of times that your child urinates.
- Stuffy nose and cough: By loosening mucus from the lungs and nose, vaporizers can help your baby sleep better at night. Symptoms may also be relieved by steam rubs and saline drops.
- Sore throat: Children over 12 months can be improved by a teaspoon of honey. Gargling with warm salt water is a fast and simple remedy for older children.
Tips: Preventing Winter Illnesses
Minimizing the chances of popular winter diseases often starts with regular hand washing and ends with it. Antiseptic gels, wipes and tissues are perfect for storage in the car or in the diaper bag while you're on the go. To develop healthy behaviors, teach kids to cough or sneeze into a cloth or elbow early on. R emember to use liquid soap or disinfectant spray to disinfect toys every week. This is really a great option, to maintain you and your family secure during all the winter.
When to get winter GP support in Costa del Sol
Make sure to observe your child when he is hungry or not or if he or she is active to play or not. If they have a high fever, feel lethargic, are dehydrated or barely eat, it’s time to get our winter GP support in Costa del Sol . Call us at +34 952 811 818 to get winter GP support in Costa del Sol at home now.