Top 5 Child Killer

It’s that time of the year again when children, most often than not, catch different infections. Being a mom of 2, I always make sure to keep myself updated to what’s new in the world of infections, funny, but it keeps me sane during the times whenever one of the boys are in to something. During my early days of being a mom, my best talent is panicking.

You can also check my post about Hand foot and Mouth Disease.

I want to share with all of you some important information on some childhood diseases that you may come across with your kids and how it affects them...

Here are the top 5 child killers:

Sick days are always a part of our lives and every disease that they encounter is an opportunity for every parent to learn a new thing that will make our lives worry free. Parents quickly learn from experience all about ear infections, pinkeye, stomach bugs, colds, and the flu. These things may be most familiar to you, but there's a whole world of childhood illnesses out there that you may not know about.

1. Childbirth Complications 
   Cause: Lack of health care for mothers during pregnancy and birth, poor hygiene, and little understanding of newborn care. 
   
   Effect: Children are traumatized by the birth process, deprived of oxygen, and vulnerable to fatal infections. 
   Annual death toll: four million children under five.

2. Respiratory Infections 
   
   Cause: Pneumonia, a respiratory infection of the lungs is caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite. Respiratory problems are also found in families dependent on cooking inside their homes on open, poorly vented stoves with wood or dung. 
   Effect: Pneumonia leads to the lungs filling with pus and mucus until they no longer function properly. Poorly vented stoves lead to children inhaling a lethal cocktail of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxides. 
   Annual death toll: two million children under five.

3. Diarrhea 
   
   Cause: Poor diet, poor hygiene, or contaminated water, allows bacteria or parasites to enter a child's body. 
   Effect: Loose, watery stools, which cause rapid dehydration—leading to loss of muscle strength, exhaustion, and collapse. 
   Annual death toll: two million children under five.

4. Malaria 
   
   Cause: A parasite that is spread to humans by the bite of a female mosquito. Especially common in environments featuring stagnant water, where mosquitoes can breed. These include swamps, pits, or even garbage. 
   Effect: Chills, sweating, vomiting, and high fever. Malaria kills an African child every 30 seconds. 
   Annual death toll: 800,000 children under five.

5. Measles 
   Cause: Usually spread by contact with nasal or throat secretions of those infected. 
   
   Effect: Red, blotchy rash, coughing, and high fever. 
   Annual death toll: 400,000 children under five.

I would also like to add to this list a childhood disease that affects most children today, ASTHMA. Asthma is a disease affecting the airways that carry air to and from your lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition (long-lasting or recurrent) are said to be asthmatic. As inflammation causes the airways to become narrower, less air can pass through them, both to and from the lungs. Symptoms of the narrowing include wheezing (a hissing sound while breathing), chest tightness, breathing problems, and coughing. Asthmatics usually experience these symptoms most frequently during the night and the early morning.

The more we are armed with the information that may help alleviate these kinds of diseases from being a part of our lives, the more it will be easier for us and our kids to live a sound and peaceful life and this can also be our pledge in making our lives better.