An infant can’t tell you when they feel sick, but there are signs if you know what to look for. Many infections commonly affect newborns and babies, and there are steps you can take to prevent them.
At Westmed Family Healthcare in Westminster, Colorado, board-certified family physicians Clifton Etienne, MD, and Michael Cavanagh, MD, specialize in infant care and family medicine. If you have an infant at home, they can teach you about common symptoms of infections that affect infants.
Here are five infant infections to be aware of, including their symptoms, prevention, and treatment.
Ear infections tend to start as a cold that spreads to your baby’s ears. With five out of every six children experiencing an ear infection before their third birthday, ear infections are very common in infants and toddlers.
The bacteria causing an ear infection can spread to other parts of your baby’s body, so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as you think your baby might have an ear infection.
An earache is one of the main symptoms of an ear infection, but you may not realize your child is experiencing this. However, you may notice your baby:
An infant with an ear infection may also experience fluid draining from their ears. Seek emergency care if you see blood or pus-like discharge in or around their ears.
Not all ear infections are preventable, but you can lower your baby’s risk. Keep up with their vaccinations, wash your hands frequently, and avoid bringing your infant around anyone with a cold.
Most ear infections go away on their own, but you should still bring your baby in for an urgent care visit. Our team at Westmed Family Healthcare may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.
The common cold starts with a virus that infects the airways. Colds are contagious, which means your infant can contract them from other people who are sick.
Common cold symptoms in babies are similar to those of adults. Your baby might sneeze, cough, or have a runny nose. Sometimes, a cold can cause a fever in infants.
The most effective way to prevent your child from catching the common cold is to keep them away from anyone who’s sick. It’s also important to disinfect toys and surfaces your child may come in contact with.
Steps you can take to manage your child’s cold at home include letting them rest and making sure they drink plenty of fluids. Bring them in for an urgent care visit if they develop a fever.
Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a highly contagious eye infection. It can come from cold viruses or bacteria that get into your baby’s eyes. Some bacteria that naturally live on your baby’s skin can cause pink eye. Usually, the infection is mild and manageable.
A common sign of pink eye is in the name — the white of your baby’s eye may appear pink and irritated. Their eyes might also water a lot, or you might see pus-like discharge coming from the infected eye.
You can help prevent pink eye by disinfecting surfaces and keeping your child away from others who are sick. You should also wash your hands often when you’re around your baby.
To manage pink eye at home, keep your baby’s eyes as clean as possible. You should also bring them in for an evaluation and treatment at Westmed Family Healthcare.
Gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu, is an infection that can affect your infant for days before (typically) going away on its own. It’s not the same as the flu (influenza), but it can occur because of viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
Gastroenteritis causes gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you notice a concerning change in your child’s digestion, let their doctor know.
Like other infections, you can help prevent the stomach flu by encouraging your family to wash their hands often and keep surfaces clean. Follow food safety guidelines to make sure food isn’t contaminated with bacteria or viruses that might make your baby sick.
If your child’s gastrointestinal symptoms are caused by gastroenteritis, you can likely manage the infection at home without prescription medications. Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids, as they can become dehydrated as a result of vomiting and diarrhea.
Fifth disease is an infectious rash that can affect babies, toddlers, and small children. It's caused by the parvovirus B19, which is highly contagious and can spread easily among infants.
The most common sign of fifth disease is a red rash across the cheeks. Before the rash appears, your child may have flu-like symptoms, including a low-grade fever and a runny nose.
You can help prevent your child from getting fifth disease by washing your hands often and cleaning toys and surfaces in your home. There’s no vaccination to prevent fifth disease, so hygiene is the best strategy.
Fifth disease goes away on its own, usually within 10 days. Seek medical attention if your child has a weakened immune system and develops fifth disease.
If you notice any signs of a possible infection in your infant, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment by calling our office today or booking online anytime.
