Although children are born with all the necessary organs, glands and tissues for the immune system to function properly, it takes time for a child's immune system to fully develop to the level that most adults have. During this development time children become vulnerable to a host of different health issues that the typical adult would be able to fight off. When you add in the fact that most children are around a lot of other children in locations such as schools, it becomes important to understand that top health concerns for your child.
Chickenpox
One of the most common childhood health issues is chickenpox. According to the Mayo Clinic, chickenpox affects 4 million children in the United States every year. Chickenpox are itchy spots or blisters that can develop on all parts of your child's body. These skin blemishes are usually accompanied by a high fever. Chickenpox is highly contagious, and can be spread from two days before symptoms appear until seven days after symptoms occur. If not taken care of properly, chickenpox can cause lasting scars on the skin. The disease also has the ability to cause pneumonia, although pneumonia is more commonly seen with adults who contract the disease rather than children.
Asthma
Asthma is another childhood health issue that needs to be carefully monitored. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, childhood asthma is the most common chronic illness in children. Childhood asthma symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest congestion. Childhood asthma can be particularly dangerous if a serious asthma attack occurs, making it important both for the child and school to understand the severity of the disorder, and the treatment needed should an attack occur.
Obesity
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since 1976, obesity rates in children have raised from 5 percent to 12.4 percent in 2- to 5-year-olds, and 6.5 percent to 17 percent in 6- to 11-year-olds. Obesity is a serious health concern because it puts children at an increased risk for developing high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol as adolescents. According to the CDC, many of those who start out obese as a child will become even more obese as an adult, further raising their risks for obesity related health problems.
Fifth Disease
Fifth disease is another common childhood illness that is commonly referred to as "slapped-cheek disease." Fifth disease is spread by the human parvovirus B19, and is recognized by a red speck rash that appears on the face, and sometimes on the thighs and buttocks. The disease is easily spread through coughing and sneezing, and often comes with flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat and headache. During these symptoms the disease can be spread both to children and adults. Once the rash appears, the disease is usually no longer contagious. In rare circumstances, Fifth disease can cause erythrocyte aplasia, a potentially fatal disorder in which the bone marrow stops forming red blood cells. This is more commonly an issue with children who have sickle cell disease, or whose immune systems have been depressed by HIV/AIDS or other immune system problems. The disease also poses risks to pregnant women, as the disease can be passed on to the fetus, raising the risks of birth defects or spontaneous abortion, according to the New York State Department of Health.
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is also a common kids health issue and is marked by a mixture of a rash and strep throat. Scarlet fever is caused by the group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABS) bacteria. Symptoms of the fever include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever and spots on the back of the throat. The only difference between typical strep throat and scarlet fever is the development of a sand paper rough rash that starts on the abdomen, and quickly spreads across the rest of the body.
