Common Infections in Infants

How do infants and babies get exposed to infections? Read on to know how various infections are transmitted to babies, their symptoms and the ways in which these infections are treated. Please Note: Treatment options given in this article are only for the sake of information. These treatments should not be tried on infants or babies. A paediatrician is a right person to suggest remedies for treating infections in infants and babies. Every parent worries when his or her little angel suddenly develops a fever or sports a bumpy red rash or does not stop crying. It is common for newborns to undergo a number of health woes, and there is often not much you can do to avoid them, besides being careful about good hygiene. However, infants being very susceptible to the microbes, tend to fall sick often due to different types of infections. Let’s take a look at a few of them. In this articlePneumoniaMeningitisSepsisUrinary Tract InfectionConjunctivitisThrushDiaper RashRoseolaHand, Foot, and Mouth DiseaseNothing Much to WorryCauses of and Treatments for Infection in Infants Read on to know about the causes of different Infections, their transmission, symptoms, and treatment. Pneumonia It is an infection of the air sacs in the lungs most commonly caused by bacteria like Group B Streptococcus (GBS), Listeria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumonia, etc. But viral pneumonia caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is more common in children. Transmission: Group B streptococci infections are most often transmitted from the mother’s fetus, while RSV is mostly transmitted via physical contact, sneeze, or cough.Symptoms: Cough, rapid breathing, retractions, accompanied by fever, congestion, irritability, and poor feeding.Treatment: Antibiotics like high-dose amoxicillin accompanied with careful care in hospital. Meningitis It is an acute inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord mostly caused by viruses, fungi, and bacteria like GBS, E. coli, and Listeria. Transmission: Unhygienic surroundings.Symptoms: Continuous crying, more sleep, poor feeding, breathing problem, rashes, unusual body temperature, lethargy, or diarrhoea.Treatment: Antibiotics for bacterial and fungal meningitis or antiviral medication for viral meningitis along with intensive supportive care in hospital.Sepsis It is a serious infection in the blood and tissues caused by various microbes. Transmission: Either from the mother’s uterus or from the environment.Symptoms: Breathing problems, trouble feeding, jaundice, unstable body temperature, lethargy, or extreme fussiness.Treatment: Course of antibiotics during proper care in hospital. Urinary Tract Infection It is very common in infants caused majorly by E. coli bacteria. Transmission: Either during childbirth or from the environment.Symptoms: Fever, listlessness, unusual fussiness, or trouble feeding.Treatment: Course of antibiotics. Conjunctivitis It is an inflammation of eye’s covering membranes caused by both bacteria and viruses. Transmission: Infants pick these microbes from environment as they are very contagious.Symptoms: Redness and swelling in eye, sometimes with a discharge.Treatment: Antibiotics, eyedrops, or ointment are prescribed. Thrush It is a yeast infection in and around baby’s mouth mostly caused by the common yeast Candida. Transmission: Kissing, hugging, nursing, and bathing, along with travel via bottles or pacifiers.Symptoms: Thick white patches on the gums, tongue, and roof of the mouth, thus leading to trouble feeding.Treatment: Oral antifungal medication. Diaper Rash It is a rash on the skin caused by Candida yeast. Transmission: Wet and warm diapers.Symptoms: Shiny red bumps in the groin area or skin folds leading to squirming while you change the diapers.Treatment: An antifungal cream, such as nystatin, is helpful.Roseola It is a very common mild-virus illness caused by a strain of herpes virus. Transmission: Via saliva, runny nose, or cough.Symptoms: Mild fever, cough, runny nose, along with spotty rashes on the face, neck, chest, and arms.Treatment: A proper dose of fever-reducing acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease It is a viral illness that shows up in hand, foot, and mouth caused by Coxsackie virus.Transmission: Saliva and faeces.Symptoms: Red, deep, and blister-like rash, sometimes accompanied with fever and irritability.Treatment: Keep your baby hydrated along with a proper dose of fever-reducing acetaminophen or ibuprofen.Nothing Much to Worry The inexperienced immune systems of infants are not equipped with their own antibodies to fight the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause infections. They often have intravenous catheters that can allow bacteria to enter. As a result, they fall sick, and need to be consulted by paediatrician, but there is nothing much to worry, as the infections are often short-lived and mild. Although it can be painful to see your baby hospitalised, but a hospital stay is often the best way back to good health for a sick newborn.Which are the common infections in infants? How to prevent the common infections in infants? Do infections get transferred to babies is she is kissed, hugged or touched by the infected person? Discuss here.