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Most of us would ignore the common cold, a stomach virus, or a cold sore as if it were a more run-of-the-mill ailment.
But experts have urged parents to be aware that minor illnesses like the common cold can have catastrophic consequences for newborns and they may need to take action.
For example, some viral infections can cause young children to develop potentially serious complications, such as pneumonia.
However, these minor conditions can be very difficult to detect as they “present very generally”, warns Dr Muriel Meso, a pediatrician and consultant endocrinologist at Portland Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK in London.
Here, Dr. Meso reveals common ailments no parent should ignore, as well as what to do if you spot them.
Dr. Meso warns that you have to be careful with drowsiness, skin rashes, high temperature and rapid breathing in newborns, as it could be a sign of infection.
Herpes labialis
In adults, cold sores, caused by the herpes simplex virus, are not only common, but they can also “resolve spontaneously,” meaning they go away on their own or can be treated with over-the-counter antiviral creams.
However, in babies just a few weeks old it could have much more serious consequences.
‘Babies are more vulnerable due to their immature immune systems. “Therefore, infections that can cause minor or less severe illness in older children can lead to more serious presentations in babies,” Dr Meso told MailOnline.
For example, the herpes virus won’t necessarily give the baby a cold sore, Dr. Meso warns.
“If someone with cold sores comes into contact with a baby, they can get a more serious infection from the herpes simplex virus, which can spread and become more invasive,” she said.
In fact, babies can end up needing serious medical care if they come into contact with the virus.
Dr. Meso said, “If a baby develops a blistering rash, especially if he or she has been in contact with someone with cold sores, seek medical attention.” They may need antiviral treatment, especially if they are very young.
“If the baby is less than three months old, they will have to go to the emergency room if they are not feeling well.”
And that is why the pediatrician emphasizes that “prevention is definitely better than cure.”
“If someone has cold sores, they should avoid contact with the baby and make sure to wash their hands,” she said.
In adults, cold sores, caused by the herpes simplex virus, are not only common, but can also “resolve spontaneously” or be treated with antiviral creams.
Common cold
Even classic symptoms of the common cold, such as sniffles, cough or fever, can be dangerous for newborns, warns Dr. Meso.
While adults can simply get over the cold, cough or temperature caused by such an infection, babies can be affected much more because they have an underdeveloped immune system.
“When babies develop more serious infections as a result of a virus, they may present in a very nonspecific way,” says Dr. Meso.
Signs of a serious infection include unusual sleepiness, faster breathing, and fever, and should never be ignored, says Dr. Meso.
«Anyway, babies sleep a lot during the first weeks of life because they need it, but they need to be alert enough to be able to feed. So if you have a baby who is very sleepy, it could be a common cold virus,” Dr. Meso said.
“A baby under three months old who has rapid breathing, greater efforts to breathe, feels hot or has a fever, should go to the emergency room because all of these can be early signs of an infection,” he added.
While adults can simply get over the cold, cough or temperature caused by such an infection, babies can suffer much harder blows because they have an underdeveloped immune system.
ear infection
Ear infections are very common in young and older children and usually get better on their own within three days.
But signs like fever can be very difficult to detect in babies and can be a sign of something more serious like meningitis.
According to the NHS, babies with an ear infection may rub or pull their ears, not react to some sounds, be restless or irritable and refuse food.
A newborn can also have a temperature if he or she has an ear infection, warns Dr. Meso.
If it is just an ear infection, a visit to your GP is recommended, but if your baby has other worrying symptoms, you should take them to A&E.
Dr Meso said: ‘It’s more about the severity of the presentation. Therefore, your baby is more likely to feel unwell in general.
‘If they find it difficult to wake them up, they are breathing quickly, they feel hot and they are less than three months old, then they should go to the emergency room.
“But if they are older, six months or older, if they are still feeding but have a temperature, then you can go to your GP to have them checked.”
More than 90 percent of the population is immune to chickenpox, but newborns can develop complications from it.
Chickenpox
In most cases, chickenpox is a mild illness in children and is not a cause for concern, but there is a risk of serious complications developing in young babies.
Dehydration, inflammation of the brain and other organs, including the kidneys or pancreas, are possible complications of chickenpox in newborns.
“If left untreated, they can develop complications such as pneumonia and other serious secondary infections,” Dr. Meso said.
‘Any baby, less than one month old, who has been exposed to chickenpox and has developed a rash should be seen in the emergency room. “They will most likely need treatment,” she added.
However, more than 90 percent of the population is immune to chickenpox because they have already had the virus, explains Dr. Meso.
She said: “This will hopefully mean that babies born within seven days of giving birth are protected by their mother’s antibodies.”
“This should prevent or at least mitigate the presentation of the virus.”
Vomiting and diarrhea
While vomiting is very common in young babies, a stomach virus can have serious consequences.
Bed bugs alone are not a cause for panic, but in babies under three months old an infection can cause dehydration due to fluid loss, which can be serious.
“If they only have vomiting and not necessarily diarrhea, then there is a concern for dehydration, but they also need to be examined for another infection, not just a stomach virus,” Dr. Meso said.
“If they are vomiting and diarrhea, they need to be evaluated to make sure they are not becoming dehydrated.” “Infants and young children are more likely to become very dehydrated and may need additional support,” she added.
Although newborns will need medical attention if they are not feeding or keeping fluids down, older babies can be monitored at home.
“Older babies, if they don’t have a high temperature, are reasonably alert and are able to keep at least 60 percent of their fluid down, then you may be able to monitor them at home,” Dr. Meso said.
“But even if you don’t need to take them to the ER, you should always seek medical advice to begin with.”
Thrush
The common yeast infection is easy to treat, but it can be painful and affect breastfeeding.
“It’s important for parents to be aware of any symptoms, such as white coating on the tongue,” Dr. Meso said.
“If candidiasis is caught early, it usually does not cause a serious infection, but it can affect diet.”
Dr. Meso suggests visiting your family doctor for a check-up, because they sometimes prescribe antifungal treatment for the baby and the mother if they are breastfeeding.
Although it is important to know the signs of thrush, it is generally not an illness that warrants a visit to the ER, unless the baby becomes dehydrated.
“If it goes unnoticed for a while and affects the baby’s feeding so much that they become dehydrated, they can become quite drowsy,” Dr. Meso said.
Any parent or caregiver who is concerned about their baby should seek medical advice, the Together we are healthier The website offers guidance to parents and caregivers, he added.