While the Philippines has made remarkable headway in reducing child mortality, the country’s tropical climate, urban congestion, and varying sanitation levels continue to make it a hotspot for numerous childhood illnesses. These conditions collectively create an environment where bacteria, viruses, and fungi thrive, increasing the risk of infections.
1) Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
This mild viral infection spreads quickly among toddlers through direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, like toilets and eating utensils. In young children, the symptoms may include a high fever as well as blisters on the palms, soles, tongue, and buttocks.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Frequent, proper handwashing is the most effective counter against the enteroviruses that cause HFMD. Supervise your child so that they scrub their hands for at least 20 seconds. For better protection against a full spectrum of pathogens, use an antibacterial soap for toddlers Philippines-based doctors recommend.
- Regularly sanitize your child’s toys, utensils, and surfaces, especially if they are shared outside of your household.
- Teach your child to avoid close contact with infected children.
2) Dengue Fever
Dengue is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in the country, particularly during the rainy season.
Symptoms include an incapacitating high fever, skin rashes, and severe joint pain.How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Apply insect repellent on your toddler’s exposed skin when venturing out during mosquito season (around March to late November).
- Eliminate sources of standing water where mosquitoes breed. Keep your home’s surroundings clean to minimize the spots where mosquitoes can spawn.
- Ensure your home is protected with screens on windows and doors. Have your child sleep under a kulambo (mosquito net) if adding screens is not a practical solution for your home.
3) Pneumonia
Pneumonia continues to be a leading cause of hospitalization among young children in the Philippines. It often begins as a common cold, but can quickly escalate to serious respiratory distress.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Ask your doctor if your child should get the pneumococcal vaccine.
- Children with weak respiratory systems are especially vulnerable to the Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria that cause pneumonia. Keep your child’s lungs healthy by keeping them away from smoke and pollutants.
- Seek immediate medical attention if your child has difficulty breathing. Do not attempt to medicate your child yourself without consulting a doctor.
4) Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
Gastroenteritis is caused by bacterial or viral infections that lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Again, proper handwashing with an antibacterial soap is key to preventing gastroenteritis. Make sure your child washes their hands frequently, especially after using the toilet as well as before and after each meal.
- Ensure proper food hygiene by washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, especially for foods like salad.
- Only give your child boiled or filtered drinking water to drink.
5) Measles
Measles, locally called tigdas, is highly contagious and potentially deadly in toddlers. Even mild infections can lead to complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis when left untreated.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Get your child vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- Avoid crowded places during reported outbreaks.
- Reinforce your child’s handwashing habits. Handwashing can prevent measles, but it has to be done correctly to prevent infections. In addition to washing after bathroom trips and before and after meals, have your child wash their hands when they encounter crowds, particularly during reported outbreaks.
6) Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a viral infection that causes children to break out in an itchy rash. While it is generally mild, complications can arise in young children, sometimes leading to shingles in adulthood.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Ask your pediatrician if your child can receive the varicella vaccine.
- If your child gets infected, keep their nails trimmed to prevent scratching and secondary infections.
- Apply calamine lotion to scabs and rashes to relieve the itching. Alternatively, have them take cool baths. Avoid hot baths, as they can make the itching worse.
7) Ear Infections
Bacterial and fungal ear infections are common among toddlers in the Philippines, partly thanks to the tropical climate. While they may have different specific causes, symptoms generally include ear pain, fever, and occasionally a smelly discharge coming from your child’s ear.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Keep your child’s ears dry. Be sure to towel them dry after swimming or bathing.
- Breastfeed infants if possible, as it helps boost their immune system and prevents infections.
- Take your child to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor if their ears smell bad or if you see discharge.
8) Common Cold and Flu
Colds and flu are especially prevalent during seasonal weather changes and the start of school. Classic symptoms of both include a runny nose, cough, and fever.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Encourage handwashing and teach your child to avoid sharing utensils.
- Try to provide your child with a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to boost their immune system. Consider giving them multivitamin supplements if they get sick often.
- Make sure your child gets enough rest and hydration to keep their immune system in good shape.
9) Tuberculosis (TB)
While TB has been virtually eliminated in some countries, it remains a significant health concern in the Philippines. Children can contract TB from infected family members or caregivers, who may also be asymptomatic.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Ensure your child receives the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis at birth.
- Minimize your child’s exposure to crowded and poorly ventilated areas, particularly when sleeping.
- Seek medical advice if your child has a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks.
10) Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects a child’s airways, leading to wheezing and difficulty breathing. Contrary to popular misconception, asthma is often caused by an overactive immune system that’s triggered by allergens and irritants.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Identify and manage asthma triggers. This may require having your child undergo an allergy screening test and periodically deep-cleaning your home.
- Teach your child to avoid exposure to dust, pet dander, and smoke.
- Follow prescribed treatment plans and track your child’s progress.
11) Food Poisoning
Foodborne illnesses are common in the Philippines due to a combination of tropical heat and improper food handling. Unfortunately, food poisoning can be fatal.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Teach your child to identify street food that may be unhygienic.
- Refrigerate perishable foods promptly.
- Teach your child to refuse food that looks or smells off, even from friends and other family members.
12) Parasitic Infections (Worms)
The Philippines provides a hospitable environment for numerous tropical parasites. Coupled with a pervasive culture of going barefoot outdoors, this makes them an especially common cause of malnutrition and developmental delays in toddlers.
How to Protect Your Toddler:
- Never let your child go barefoot outdoors to prevent worm infections.
- Encourage proper handwashing habits.
- Periodically inspect your child’s stool for worms. If you see any, administer a deworming treatment as recommended by your pediatrician.
Stay One Step Ahead: Consult Your Pediatrician Today
Preventive measures will significantly reduce the risk of infections in children. Regardless, you should consult a doctor if your child exhibits severe or prolonged symptoms. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician for guidance on interventions and preventive strategies. While the Philippines is likely to remain a risky environment for toddlers, being proactive will do a lot to ensure that your child develops into a healthy and resilient individual.