Recurrent infections and their impact on children’s health

Why do children get repeated infections?

• Babies are born with immature immune systems due to which they tend to get infections frequently, usually 4 to 8 per year. However, their immune systems start maturing soon after birth and the frequency of infections go down with time. By the time children are of school-age, their rate of infection is usually the same as that for adults.
• Children easily get repeated infections.
• Most children getting repeated infections don’t suffer from any serious problems and grow up to be healthy adults.
• In daycare centres and schools, infections get easily transmitted between children.
• Common infections in children include colds, ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. Stomach infections are common in children.
• Just ensure that your child gets enough of sleep and eats a healthy diet.

How do infections affect children’s health?

• Infections harm children’s health by damaging their body parts (cells and organs) and causing inflammation.
• Inflammation is a way by which the children protect themselves from infection, which usually destroys the infecting agent.
• However, inflammation can be harmful to the child as It can harm organs, cause pain and affect with normal body functions.
• Many germs come and go; while some germs stay with your child even after the illness resolves. For example, herpesviruses (herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, varicella) remain in your child for a lifetime.
• If your child gets chickenpox, that virus stays inside the nerve cells after the disappearance of the rash and illness, which can reappear later in life as shingles (herpes zoster).