Vomiting (Viral Gastritis) Vomiting is the forceful ejection of a large portion of the stomach's contents through the mouth. The mechanism is strong stomach contractions against a closed stomach outle...

Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) Itchy and painful ear canals Currently engaged in swimming Pain when the outer ear is moved up and down Pain when the tab of the outer ear overlying the ear canal is pus...

Sore Throat (Pharyngitis) The child complains of a sore throat. In children too young to talk, a sore throat may be suspected if they refuse to eat or begin to cry during feedings. When examined with...

Pierced Ear Infection Symptoms of an infection of a pierced ear are tenderness, a yellow discharge, redness, and some swelling. Pierced Ear Infection Causes The most common causes of infection are ins...

Influenza Influenza (flu) is a viral infection of the nose, throat, trachea, and bronchi that occurs in epidemics every 3 or 4 years (e.g., Asian influenza). The main symptoms are a stuffy nose, sore...

Head Trauma History of a blow to the head Scalp trauma (cut, scrape, bruise, or swelling) Head Trauma Cause Every child sooner or later strikes his head. Falls are especially common when your child is...

Eye Infection With Pus (Bacterial) Yellow discharge in the eye Eyelids stuck together with pus, especially after naps Dried eye discharge on the upper cheek The sclera mayor may not have some redness...

Eye Infection Without Pus (Viral) Redness of the sclera (white part of the eye) Redness of the inner eyelids A watery discharge No yellow discharge or matting of eyelids Not caused by crying or allerg...

Diarrhea (Viral Gastroenteritis) Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Mild diarrhea is the passage of a few loose or mushy stools. Moderate diarrhea gives...

Croup Description of Croupy Cough There is a distinctive cough that occurs with infections of the voice box (larynx). The cough is tight, low-pitched, and barky (like a barking seal). The voice is usu...

Cough (Viral Brochitis) The cough reflex expels air from the lungs with a sudden explosive noise. A coughing spasm is more than 5 minutes of continuous coughing. Cause Most coughs are due to a viral i...

Constipation Painful passage of stools: The most reliable sign of constipation is discomfort with the passage of a bowel movement. Inability to pass stools: These children feel a desperate urge to hav...

Colds Runny or stuffy nose Usually associated with fever and sore throat Sometimes associated with a cough, hoarseness, red eyes, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck Also called an upper respiratory i...

Chicken Pox (Varicella) Multiple small, red bumps that progress to thin- walled water blisters; then cloudy blisters or open sores, which are usually less than 1⁄4 inch across; and finally dry, brown...

Bronchiolitis (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Wheezing: a high-pitched whistling sound produced during breathing out Rapid breathing with a rate of over 40 breaths/minute Tight breathing (child has to p...

Anal Fissure An anal fissure is a shallow tear or crack in the skin at the opening of the anus. More than 90% of children with blood in their stools have an anal fissure. The main symptoms are as foll...