A childrens hospital accommodates kids from 0 of age to 19 years old afflicted with different kinds of diseases. Among those that isregularly received as out-patient are ill-stricken with respiratory syncytial virus (VRS). It is a condition somewhat similar to the seasonal flu. However, it develops more severe versions of the symptoms - cold, fever and cough. Only 2% of those diagnosed actually pursue hospitalization since it can managed at home. It is typical among kids aged 2 years old and it may develop into pneumonia and bronchiolitis for children below 1 year old. Now, since it is a viral infection, it is self-limiting and lasts only for about two weeks - which is an advantage. But there are no known immunities to RSV and the child may contract it again and again.
Scarlet fever is another commonly found illness among children in hospitals. It is a condition developed from group A Streptococcus infection. It usually manifests along with strep throat, fever rashes, and strawberry tongue. Prior to the invention of antibiotics, scarlet fever was known to be a deadly childhood disease. But now, they can be taken cared of with prescribed doses of medication in the hospital setting. In addition to the list, there is also gastroenteritis, brought about by the ingestion of bacteria or virus that causes irritation of the bowel. It can also be brought about by food poisoning and is characterized by diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting and fever. Although this may resolve in a few days, there are times when the dehydration is so severe that hospitalization is required to get the right amount of fluid replacements to the child on time.
Pertussis or whooping cough was also among the most conventional grounds of hospitalization among children, with a recorded 27,550 cases in 2010. It is basically an effect of bacterial infection and can be contagious. It is also contracted by adults but children have it worse due to the fact that they cannot manage the disruption in respiratory function. Those under 12 months old need to be admitted to a childrens hospital and those that are yet to be infected must get vaccination. It is important to note that the immunity effects wear out after 10 years, so parents must get their kids and themselves booster shots to avoid cross-contamination.
Now, these are just a few of the non-serious medical conditions one would see in a childrens hospital. Other normal causes for prolonged confinement are cancer and autoimmune diseases. There are several subcategories under each of these illnesses. For cancer, there is leukemia, neuroblastoma, Wilmstumor and rhabdomyosarcoma, to name a few. And for autoimmune, one can expect celiac disease and lupus. Leukemia accounts for 34% of all the cancer cases among children. This affects the blood and bone marrow, with joint pain, fever, weight loss, weakness and bleeding as its usual symptoms. Celiac disease, meanwhile, is a genetic abnormality found commonly among kids three to five months old. And it is described as an inability to process protein, resulting in weight loss, diarrhea, and the lack of appetite. It cannot be cured so a monitored gluten-free diet is required. Although this can be manageable with age, those kids that still solely depend on milk must be observed carefully for the aggravation of the condition.
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