Heath, Safety and Nutrition

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Assignment 3: Health, Safety, and Nutrition

Assignment 3: Health, Safety, and Nutrition

During childhood and the early stages of child development, there are certain health complications and problems that are quite common. Some of the common ailments and problems that affect children and infants include the common cold, diarrhea, diaper rash, earaches, and stomachaches. In this assignment, the common causes, possible complications, and the most effective forms of management of these common problems are discussed to acquire a better understanding of each problem and how it can be managed.

The Common Cold

The common cold is a very common viral infection that affects the nose and throat or the respiratory tract of human beings of all ages. It is mostly harmless and mild but may make the individual affected very uncomfortable. There are many types of viruses that cause the common cold. While people of all ages can be affected by the common cold, children below six years are at a greater risk of getting the infection. Adults mostly catch common colds approximately 2-3 times every year. A majority of children recover from the infection within a week or two after getting infected, and infection occurs one to three days after being exposed to a virus that causes colds. Signs and symptoms of the common cold vary from one child to another but include a sore throat, runny nose with a thick green or yellow discharge, cough and congestion, mild headaches, slight body aches, sneezing, feeling unwell, and low-grade fever (DeGeorge et al., 2019).

Where these symptoms do not improve within a week or two, it is important to see the doctor for assistance. The common complication from a common cold infection is acute ear infections, which occur when viruses and bacteria from the respiratory tract enter the space behind the eardrum and cause an ear infection. At the moment, there is no vaccine for the common cold infection. Basic hygiene and precautions should be taken to minimize the spread of cold viruses in children. Hands should be cleaned thoroughly and often using clean water and soap, toys should be cleaned regularly with soap or disinfectant, and bedding should be regularly changed and cleaned with disinfectant. When coughing, sneezing, or cleaning hands after washing, tissues should be used and discarded after use.

Diaper Rashes

The term diaper rash is a general term that describes any form of skin irritation on children as a result of the use of diapers. Diaper rash refers to skin irritation in the region covered by diapers and is caused by yeast and bacterial infections (Elfaituri, 2019). Diaper rash is characterized by areas of bright red skin and discrete lesions that occur at the border or ends of the irritated skin areas. The common signs and symptoms of diaper rashes are changes in the skin area that is usually covered or enclosed by the diaper. This region turns red and small blisters and lesions may start to appear. During diaper changes, the irritated skin makes the child very uncomfortable since it becomes very sensitive. The child may also become generally uncomfortable when in diapers as a result of the increased skin sensitivity.

The treatment for diaper rashes is cleaning with clean water and using soft cloths when dressing the affected child. Soft cloths are less irritating to the injured skin areas compared to disposable wipes. It is, therefore, better to use soft cloths to wipe and clean the child rather than disposable wipes. Using ointments that contain zinc oxide or petroleum jelly is an effective way to protect children from skin irritation and minimize friction during diaper changes. Diaper rashes can be prevented through various ways: air exposure between diaper changes, changing of soiled diapers promptly, trying different diaper brands to identify possible unique sensitivity reactions to specific brands, and bathing children properly. Diaper rash development is not an indication of poor parenting skills since it may arise from sensitivity to specific diaper brands and skin sensitivity to bacteria and yeast.

Diarrhea of Young Children

Diarrhea is a common problem in young children and often occurs together with nausea, fever, vomiting, dehydration, and cramps. Diarrhea is the body’s preferred way of getting rid of germs and infections. Diarrhea episodes mostly last a few days up to a week. However, with complications such as viral gastroenteritis, diarrhea can last between 5 days to two weeks. During diarrhea, the most important thing is to prevent fluid loss, especially in young children. This can be done through hydration to replace the fluids being lost. It is not adequate to offer water to a young child with diarrhea since water does not have enough potassium, sodium, and other nutrients necessary to hydrate a child. One should talk to their doctor about the right amounts of fluids that their child needs depending on the severity of diarrhea. The solution to the problem is replacing the fluid lost while not causing more irritation to the chi9ld’s gastrointestinal tract.

Earaches

Earaches are caused by ear infections arising from fungal or bacterial agents (sometimes viral), wax, mastoiditis, or serous otitis media. They may also be as a result of inner ear infections of the fluid that is located behind the eardrum (Greenes, 2017). The common symptom of ear infections is ear pain, especially when chewing, lying down, or sucking. A doctor should be consulted when earache symptoms are identified for advice and a checkup. For pain relief, ibuprofen and acetaminophen are recommended. For prevention, parents and caregivers should avoid cleaning children’s ears using cotton swabs and sharp objects. It is also important to ensure that a child receives a flu shot and PCV to minimize their chances of getting ear infections.

Stomachaches in Young Children

Stomachaches are conditions that involve feeling pain in the abdominal area. They can be caused by a wide range of things, including bowel infections, bowel problems, constipation, bladder infections, kidney infections, gastroenteritis, food-related problems such as food poisoning and too much food, allergies, and infections in other parts of the body (Abu Naser & El-Najjar, 2016). Try to ask a child to describe the stomach pain that they feel when they start complaining. It could be general pain or pain that occurs over most of the belly area. This type of pain may be from a stomach viral infection, gas, indigestion, or constipation. The child may also be experiencing a cramp-like type of abdominal pain. This may be an indication of bloating or gas and is often accompanied by diarrhea. The pain experienced may also be localized or in only one area of the child’s belly. Such pain is caused by problems in the gallbladder, ovary, the appendix, stomach, or testicles. Home remedies can be used to alleviate stomachaches while waiting for them to clear up. However, if the pain gets worse or lasts for longer than a day, consult a doctor or health care provider for assistance.

References

Abu Naser, S. S., & El-Najjar, A. E. (2016). An expert system for nausea and vomiting problems in infants and children. International Journal of Medicine Research, 1(2), 114-117.

DeGeorge, K. C., Ring, D. J., & Dalrymple, S. N. (2019). Treatment of the Common Cold. American family physician, 100(5), 281-289.

Elfaituri, S. S. (2019). DIAPER RASH; FREQUENCY AND CAUSES AMONG UNDER FIVE YEARS LIBYAN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS (Doctoral dissertation, University of Benghazi).

Greenes, D. (2017). Evaluation of earache in children. UpToDate.

Assignment 03

E08 Health, Safety, and Nutrition

Directions: Be sure to save an electronic copy of your answer before submitting it to Ashworth College for grading. Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English, spelling, and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA format. Your response should be four (4) double‐spaced pages; refer to the “Format Requirementsʺ page for specific format requirements.

Describe the common causes, possible complications, and management of each of the following.

1. The common cold
2. Diaper rash in infants
3. Diarrhea in young children
4. Earaches
5. Stomachaches in young children

Grading Rubric

Please refer to the rubric on the next page for the grading criteria for this assignment.