WARNING! 6 COMMON ILLNESSES DURING THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON

According to Dr. Trần Thị Hoàng Oanh, a Pediatric Specialist at CarePlus Clinics: During this time, your child will be in close contact with many peers in crowded environments, and the unpredictable weather can increase the risk of illness. Since your child’s immune system is still developing, it's crucial to protect them from the common illnesses listed below: 

1. FLU: 

- Symptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache. 

- Advice: Annual flu vaccination is an effective way to prevent severe complications. 

2. MEASLES: 

- Symptoms: Fever, sneezing, runny nose, cough, sore throat, red eyes, rash. 

- Warning: If your child has a high fever, severe cough, difficulty breathing, or ear pain, take them to the doctor immediately. 

 3. RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV): 

- Symptoms: Fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough. 

- Warning: If your child has a high fever, loss of appetite, or if an infant is feeding poorly or refuses to eat, seek medical attention promptly. 

 4. ACUTE DIARRHEA: 

- Symptoms: Fever, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, frequent watery stools. 

- Warning: If your child has watery stools more than three times a day or shows signs of dehydration, take them to the doctor immediately. 

5. HAND, FOOT, AND MOUTH DISEASE: 

- Symptoms: Fever, sore throat, loss of appetite, mouth ulcers, and red spots on hands, feet, knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area. 

- Warning: If your child has a high, unresponsive fever, labored breathing, rapid heart rate, or sudden jerky movements, seek immediate medical care. 

 6. DENGUE FEVER: 

- Symptoms: Fever, body aches, headache, pain behind the eyes, and skin rash (which may appear early or after the fever subsides).