Top 10 Illnesses and Diseases Under 6 Months Old Babies Can Contract Without Proper Care And Hygiene

As a parent, maintaining proper care and hygiene is not negotiable, as you put your baby’s life at risk of harmful illnesses and diseases when you don’t observe cleanliness. Taking care of a sick baby is not always easy, and I know you will not want to experience it, so proper hygiene is essential.

In this article, we will look at the top 10 illnesses and diseases under 6-month-old babies can contract without proper care and hygiene.

Top 10 Illnesses And Diseases Under 6 Months Old Babies Can Contract Without Proper Care And Hygiene

If your baby is not handled with proper care and hygiene, here are the top 10 illnesses and diseases you expose your baby to. These illnesses and diseases can impede your baby’s growth and cause lasting damage if not properly addressed and cured. They are as follows:

1. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection

RSV is a common respiratory virus that attacks babies under 6 months that are not handled with proper care and hygiene. It causes severe respiratory illness in infants, and symptoms include coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and fever.

RSV can spread through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces. This makes it essential to keep your baby away from dirty surfaces and ensure you or anyone carrying the baby washes their hands and keeps them away from sick individuals.

2. Influenza (Flu)

One of the top illnesses and diseases under 6-month-old babies can contract without proper care and hygiene is Influenza. Babies are susceptible to influenza viruses, which can cause fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea. Influenza can lead to pneumonia in severe cases, which can result in the baby being hospitalized. It is recommended that you take your baby to the necessary to help prevent Influenza and its complications.

3. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is one of the most common illnesses in babies that aren’t handled with good hygiene. Gastroenteritis, also called stomach flu, is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Viruses, bacteria, or parasites mainly cause it or viruses. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration.

Babies, particularly those under 6 months, are particularly vulnerable to dehydration due to their not fully developed system, so monitoring their fluid intake is essential. Seek immediate medical care if your baby shows signs of dehydration. A sit can be a sign of gastroenteritis.

4. Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis is one of infants’ most popular contagious bacterial infections of the respiratory tract. It is an airborne disease that a baby can contract when exposed to infected people. In infants, pertussis can cause severe coughing fits, difficulty breathing, and apnea (pauses in breathing).

Studies have shown that babies under 6 months old are at the highest risk of complications and death from pertussis. Vaccination of pregnant women and close contacts (cocooning) is advised to protect newborns from pertussis.

5. Respiratory Infections

Babies under 6 months have fragile respiratory systems susceptible to various respiratory infections, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens can cause. Symptoms of Respiratory infections include coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, and fatigue. Causes of respiratory infections in babies include exposure to cigarette smoke, crowded environments, and poor air quality.

6. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs can also occur in infants, typically due to bacterial infection. It is essential that you use good babies’ toiletries as exposure to their fragile excretory system can increase their risk of contracting UTI.

Symptoms of UTI include fever, irritability, feeding difficulties, foul-smelling urine, and jaundice. UTIs in infants require prompt medical evaluation and treatment to prevent complications such as kidney damage. Contact your doctor or rush your baby to the hospital when your baby has one or more symptoms.

7. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a deadly viral infection common in infants and young children, typically caused by the Coxsackievirus. Symptoms include sore throat, fever, mouth sores, and a rash on the feet, buttocks, and hands. The risk of your baby contracting this disease can be significantly minimized by good hygiene practices, such as handwashing and disinfecting contaminated surfaces.

8. Thrush

One of the top illnesses and diseases under 6-month-old babies can contract without proper care and hygiene is Thrush. Thrush is a widespread fungal infection that affects the mouth and throat of infants. Symptoms of Thrush include white patches or sores in the mouth, tongue, and throat, as well as feeding difficulties and irritability. Thrush can be transmitted from the mother to the baby during breastfeeding, so both should be treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection.

9. Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

Pink eye is another common disease mainly caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, or irritants transmitted by dirty hands touching the baby’s eye. It is caused by inflammation of the conjunctiva, that is

Symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, and discharge in one or both eyes. Practicing good hygiene, avoiding touching the eyes, and sharing personal items can significantly minimize the spread of pink eye in infants.

10.  Skin Infections

Babies under 6 months are prone to skin infections, including diaper rash, eczema, and impetigo, due to moisture, friction, and exposure to irritants or pathogens. Diaper rash, for example, can develop when a baby’s skin comes in contact with feces and urine for prolonged periods. Keeping the diaper area dry, changing diapers frequently, and using mild skin care products help prevent diaper rash and other skin infections in infants.

Conclusion

Proper care and hygiene practices, including regular handwashing, cleaning, disinfecting surfaces, practicing respiratory hygiene (e.g., covering coughs and sneezes), and ensuring vaccinations are up-to-date, are essential for protecting babies under months from these common illnesses and diseases. Additionally, seeking prompt medical attention for any signs of infant illness is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.