Most of us would dismiss a cold, stomach flu or cold sore as just another ailment.
But experts have urged parents to be aware that minor illnesses such as colds can have catastrophic consequences for newborns and they may need to take action.
For example, some viral infections can cause young children to develop potentially serious complications, such as pneumonia.
However, these minor conditions can be very difficult to spot because they “present in such a common way,” warns Dr. Muriel Meso, a pediatrician and endocrinologist at Portland Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK in London.
Here, Dr. Meso reveals the routine ailments no parent should ignore, and what to do if you notice them.
Dr. Meso warns that you should watch out for drowsiness, rash, high temperature and rapid breathing in newborns as these could be a sign of an infection.
Cold sores
In adults, cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus are not only common, but can also be “spontaneously resolving,” meaning the cold sore goes away on its own, or can be treated with over-the-counter antiviral creams.
However, in babies who are only a few weeks old, this can have much more serious consequences.
‘Babies are more vulnerable because of their immature immune systems. “Infections that can cause mild or less severe illness in older children can therefore lead to more severe illness in babies,” Dr Meso told MailOnline.
For example, the herpes virus won’t necessarily just give a baby a cold sore, Dr. Meso warns.
“If someone with a cold sore comes into contact with a baby, they may develop a more serious herpes simples virus infection, which can spread and become more invasive,” she said.
Babies may even need serious medical attention if they come into contact with the virus.
Dr. Meso said: ‘If a baby develops a blister-like rash, especially if he has been in contact with someone with a cold sore, seek medical attention. They may need antiviral treatment, especially if they are very young.
‘If the baby is under three months old, he should go to the emergency room if he is not feeling well.’
And for this reason, the pediatrician emphasizes that “prevention is definitely better than cure.”
“If someone has a cold sore, they should avoid contact with the baby and make sure they wash their hands,” she said.
In adults, cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus are not only common, but can also ‘go away spontaneously’ or be treated with antiviral creams
Cold
Even the classic symptoms of a cold, such as sniffling, coughing or fever, can be dangerous for newborns, Dr. Meso warns.
While adults can simply cope with the sniffles, coughing or temperature that such an infection brings, babies can be hit much harder because they have an underdeveloped immune system.
“If babies develop more serious infections as a result of a virus, these can be very non-specific,” says Dr. Meso.
Signs of a serious infection include being unusually sleepy, faster breathing, fever and should never be ignored, says Dr. Meso.
‘Babies sleep a lot in the first weeks of life because they need it, but they have to be alert enough to eat. So if you have a baby who is very sleepy, it could be a cold virus,” Dr. Meso said.
“A baby under three months of age who is breathing rapidly, has more difficulty breathing, feels hot or has a fever should go to the emergency room as these could all be the first signs of an infection,” she added.
While adults can simply cope with the sniffles, coughing or temperature that such an infection brings, babies can be hit much harder because they have an underdeveloped immune system.
Ear infection
Ear infections are very common in toddlers and older children and usually get better on their own within three days.
But signs such as fever can be very difficult to spot in babies and could be a sign of something more serious, such as meningitis.
According to the NHS, babies with an ear infection may rub or pull their ears, be unresponsive to certain sounds, be restless or irritable and avoid eating.
A newborn can also develop a fever if he has an ear infection, Dr. Meso warns.
If it’s just an ear infection, a visit to the doctor is recommended, but if your baby has other worrying symptoms, you should take him to the emergency room.
Dr. Meso said, “It’s more about the seriousness of the presentation. So it is more likely that your baby is generally unwell.
‘If they are difficult to wake up, are breathing quickly, are warm and are less than three months old, they should go to the emergency room.
‘But if they are older, six months and older, if they are still eating but have a fever, you can go to the GP for an assessment.’
More than 90 percent of the population is immune to chickenpox, but newborns can develop complications from it
Chicken-pox
In most cases, chickenpox is a mild illness in children and not a cause for concern, but there is a risk of serious complications in young babies.
Dehydration, inflammation of the brain and other organs, including the kidneys or pancreas, are all possible complications of chickenpox in newborns.
“If left untreated, they can develop complications such as pneumonia and other serious secondary infections,” says Dr. Meso.
‘Any baby, under one month, who has been exposed to chickenpox and developed a rash should be seen in the emergency room. They will most likely need treatment,” she added.
However, more than 90 percent of the population is immune to chickenpox because they have already had the virus, Dr. Meso explains.
She said: ‘This hopefully means that babies born within seven days of giving birth will hopefully be protected by their mother’s antibodies.
‘This should prevent or at least attenuate the presentation of viruses.’
Vomiting and diarrhea
Although vomiting is very common in young babies, a stomach flu can have serious consequences.
Belly bugs in themselves are not a cause for alarm, but in babies under three months of age, an infection can cause dehydration due to fluid loss, which can be serious.
“If they only show vomiting and not necessarily diarrhea, then there is concern for dehydration, but they should also be seen in case this is a manifestation of another infection, and not just stomach flu,” Dr. Meso said.
‘If they have vomiting and diarrhea they should be reassessed to make sure they are not dehydrated. Infants and young children are at greater risk of becoming very dehydrated and may need extra support,” she added.
Although newborns require medical attention if they are not drinking or keeping fluids down, older babies can be monitored at home.
“If older babies don’t have a high temperature, they’re fairly alert and they can keep at least 60 percent of their fluids down, then you may be able to monitor them at home,” Dr. Meso said.
‘But even if you don’t need to take them to A&E, you should always seek medical advice to start with.’
Thrush
The common yeast infection is easily treated, but can be painful and affect breastfeeding.
‘It is important that parents are aware of any symptoms such as the white film on the tongue,’ says Dr Meso.
‘If thrush is caught early, it usually doesn’t cause a serious infection, but it can affect nutrition.’
Dr. Meso suggests going to the doctor for a check-up, because they sometimes prescribe antifungal treatment for the baby and mother if they are breastfeeding.
While it is important to know the signs of thrush, it is not usually a disease that warrants an emergency room visit unless the baby is dehydrated.
‘If it hasn’t been recognized for a while and it has affected a baby’s feeding so much that he or she becomes dehydrated, they can become quite sleepy,’ says Dr Meso.
Any parent or caregiver concerned about their baby should seek medical advice Healthier together website offers guidance to parents and caregivers, she added.
