Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Common childhood infections
| Condition | Symptoms and points to discuss | Selected tests and treatment approach |
|---|---|---|
| Viral respiratory infections | Runny nose, cough and fever; breathing, hydration and age guide urgency. | Clinical assessment; targeted viral testing when it changes care. Antibiotics do not treat uncomplicated viral infections. |
| Pneumonia | Cough, fever, rapid/labored breathing or reduced feeding. | Examination and oxygen assessment; chest imaging and laboratory/microbiology tests selected according to severity. Treatment depends on the likely cause and need for admission. |
| Acute otitis media | Ear pain, fever or irritability. | Otoscopy confirms middle-ear findings. Observation or antibiotics depends on age, severity and examination; recurrent cases may need additional review. |
| Streptococcal pharyngitis | Sore throat and fever; many sore throats are viral. | Clinical assessment and indicated rapid antigen/throat-culture testing. The clinician determines whether antibiotic treatment is needed. |
| Urinary tract infection | Pain/frequency with urination, abdominal pain or unexplained fever, especially in infants. | Appropriately collected urine for urinalysis and selected culture, preferably before antibiotics when safe. Imaging is age/risk-dependent, not automatic for every infection. |
| Gastroenteritis and dehydration | Vomiting/diarrhea, poor intake or reduced urine. | Hydration assessment; stool tests or blood tests in selected severe, persistent or exposure-related cases. Fluid care and pathogen-specific treatment are individualized. |
Serious infections and special exposures
| Condition | Symptoms and points to discuss | Selected tests and treatment approach |
|---|---|---|
| Meningitis | Fever with severe headache, neck stiffness, altered awareness or concerning infant behavior; a rash may be absent. | Urgent hospital assessment, selected blood cultures and lumbar puncture when safe/indicated. Treatment is not delayed for travel. |
| Sepsis / bloodstream infection | A rapidly worsening child, altered awareness, abnormal breathing, poor circulation or reduced urine. | Emergency assessment and selected cultures/laboratory tests while urgent treatment is arranged. Do not wait for a test result or online advice. |
| Bone or joint infection | Fever with limb/joint pain, swelling or refusal to walk/use a limb. | Examination, inflammatory markers and cultures; selected ultrasound/MRI and joint/bone sampling. Pediatric/orthopedic coordination may be required. |
| Tuberculosis infection or disease | Known TB contact, persistent cough, fever or poor growth; latent infection and active disease differ. | Risk-based TB skin/blood testing, chest imaging and selected microbiological samples. Results are interpreted with age, BCG history and exposure; treatment needs specialist follow-up. |
| Measles | Fever with cough, red eyes and rash, particularly with exposure or incomplete vaccination. | Notify the receiving service before attending; indicated PCR/serology and public-health coordination. Isolation and urgent assessment of complications may be needed. |
| Chickenpox (varicella) | A characteristic blistering rash, sometimes fever; risk is higher in immunocompromised children. | Usually clinical diagnosis, with selected laboratory confirmation for uncertain/high-risk cases. Treatment and contact precautions depend on risk and severity. |
What records should families prepare?
Does every fever need antibiotics or extensive testing?
Important reminders during prescribed treatment
Hydration, feeding and fever monitoring
When should we seek urgent local care?
Contagious illness, school and family precautions
Vaccinations and children with reduced immunity
Follow-up, recurrent infections and travel
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Liv Hospital Vadi İstanbul
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