Common Childhood Infections in India and How to Prevent Them

Among 70 lakh children who die worldwide due to infections every year, India bears 25% of this  toll.

Diarrhea and acute respiratory infections contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality especially among children under the age of 5.  

Understanding Childhood Infections in India

Why Children Are More Prone to Infections

There are two reasons children are more susceptible to infections 

Their immune systems are still fairly weak and typically fully develop at the age of 7-8. This means that children, under the age of 7-8, are more vulnerable to viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Children are still learning about hygiene practices and how to maintain their cleanliness. Moreover, children tend to be engaged in activities like play and exploration which exposes them to more infections.

Environmental and Seasonal Factors in India

The unique blend of climatic conditions, forest coverage, and limited access to healthcare in India render this region vulnerable to infectious illnesses.

Waterborne illnesses such as cholera, diarrhea and typhoid prevail in this region due to inadequate sanitation facilities, low awareness levels, and limited access to safe drinking water.

Foodborne illness such as hepatitis, E. Coli, and Salmonella occur due to consumption of contaminated food, particularly through unhygienic street food and restaurant or canteen food and inadequate access to healthy food in the community.

Most Common Infections Affecting Children

Diarrheal Diseases (e.g., Rotavirus, E. coli)

Diarrhea can cause extreme dehydration and loss of fluids which stands as the key factors contributing to fatalities. While numerous cases of diarrhea remain undiagnosed due to their mild symptoms and often resolve on their own, others can lead to serious life threatening complications if left untreated.

Respiratory Infections (e.g., Flu, RSV, Tuberculosis)

Respiratory infections spread mostly by hand-to-hand contact. Symptoms of respiratory infections include a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, and coughing. These symptoms can last for up to two weeks. An example for the transmission of this infection is a person with a cold when they blow or touch their nose and then have any physical contact with someone else will pass the infection onto them. 

Additionally, the cold virus can live on surfaces of objects such as pens, books, and coffee cups for several hours and can also infect through contact with these objects.

Skin Infections (e.g., Impetigo, Fungal Infections)

Impetigo is a common, superficial, highly contagious bacterial skin infection characterised by pus-filled boils and honey-coloured crusted erosions. It is most common in young children but can occur at any age. It is usually transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact.

Fungal infections in children include ringworm, groin itch, athlete’s foot, candida, and tinea. Athlete’s foot is a type of fungal infection that usually appears between the toes. Whereas, groin itch is a fungal infection of the groin and upper thighs. Candida most often affects the skin around the nails or the soft, moist areas around body openings (mouth or diaper area). Tinea is a type of fungal infection of the hair, skin, or nails. 

Close contact or sharing a comb or hairbrush with someone who has tinea can spread the fungus from one person to another. As fungi need a warm, dark, and humid place to grow, public showers, pools, locker rooms, and even the warmth of shoes and socks is the perfect breeding place for fungi.

Dengue, Chikungunya, and Malaria

These are mosquito-borne infections. These occur through mosquito bites which spread viruses and parasites in the bloodstream. Their symptoms are similar and include high fever, chills, body ache, headache, uneasiness, and tiredness. They are more common in areas that have stagnant water (clean or dirty) which are breeding spots for mosquitoes.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella

Viral diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella are dangerous infections that are spread through inhaling respiratory secretions/droplets from the air, and exposure to fetuses during pregnancy. Their symptoms include fever, anorexia, rashes, watery eyes, headache, cough and malaise.

Prevention Strategies for Childhood Infections

Importance of Vaccination

Vaccines are some of the safest and most effective medicines against infections in children.

A vaccine is a dead, or weakened version, or part of the germ that causes the disease in question. When children are exposed to a disease in its weakened form such as in vaccines, their immune system is able to build up antibodies that protect them from contracting the actual disease. 

Vaccinations not only protect your child from deadly infections, but they also keep other children safe by eliminating or decreasing dangerous diseases that spread from child to child.

Personal Hygiene and Handwashing

For children, it is of utmost importance to:

• Practice good handwashing hygiene to prevent exposure to infection. Wash hands frequently, especially before preparing foods and after passing stools.
• Not share towels or face cloths.
• Avoid any close contact with people who have colds or other upper respiratory infections.

Clean Drinking Water and Food Safety

• Keeping food articles covered to prevent flies and cockroaches from any interactions with the food
• Giving only freshly prepared food to the child. Stale and expired food should be avoided at all costs
• Avoiding consuming food prepared and served in unhygienic conditions (street stalls, canteens, etc)
• Drinking plenty of clean drinking water. Avoid drinking tap water which has  been filtered or boiled. 

Avoiding Mosquito Bites

To protect the child from mosquito bites, the following can be used

• Mosquito repellants (cream or spray) which can be applied on the exposed body parts of the child
• Mosquito nets can be used for windows or on bed during the night
• Long-sleeved or full-length clothes which cover majority of the child’s body

Role of Parents and Schools in Prevention

Parents and schools play a major role in prevention of illnesses in children. There are two important strategies to help protect children from infections.

Early Detection and Health Education

During the early stages of the infection, the symptoms are mild and the infection is not in the full-blown development phase. This is why “early detection” helps in the treatment of the infection and prevents any long-term complications.

It is crucial that children learn good habits and hygiene practices in homes and schools. This “health education” includes awareness about different illnesses, how they spread, and how it can be easily avoided.

Creating a Clean and Safe Environment

Prevention is better than cure. And that’s why prevention of infectious diseases begins in the environment in which children live and spend time.

Having a safe environment reduces the exposure to virus, bacteria and fungi that occurs through contaminated food and objects. Moreover, stagnant water like dirty ponds and river water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

This is why the environment needs to be clean, safe, ventilated and regularly maintained.

When to See a Pediatrician

Warning Signs to Watch Out For

For respiratory infections:

• Temperature higher than 100.4° F
• Symptoms that last more than 10 days
• Symptoms that are not relieved by over-the-counter medicines

 For diarrhea:

• Excessive thirst / irritability
• Sunken eyes
• Dry lips, tongue, and skin
• Decrease in urination or the volume of urine
• Very frequent passage of watery stools
• Lethargy or poor oral acceptance of fluids

For skin infections:

• High fever
• Uncontrollable itching
• Widespread rashes

For mosquito-borne infections

• Fever alternating with chills
• Red blotches/rashes
• Feeling faint
• Difficulty with breathing

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