5 Preventable Childhood Infections & How to Protect Kids

Many parents are surprised to learn that preventable childhood infections are still among the leading causes of child deaths in Indonesia, such as pneumonia and diarrhea. According to Kompas, over 1.8 million Indonesian children miss important vaccinations every year, leaving them more vulnerable to serious illness.

Understanding what these infections are, how they spread, and how to protect your child is the first step toward keeping them healthy. With timely vaccinations, good hygiene, and guidance from pediatric experts, parents can greatly reduce the risk of their children getting sick.

In a global destination like Bali, where residents live alongside millions of visitors each year, exposure to infectious diseases can happen anywhere, schools, playgrounds, markets, or even during family outings. Prevention starts with awareness because knowing the risks and how to manage them makes it easier to take the right steps, and Bali International Hospital is here to guide and support you.

Below are five common but serious childhood infections that can often be avoided through the right preventive care.

1. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is the world’s leading infectious cause of death among children under five, accounting for 16% of child deaths globally according to UNICEF. It’s a lung infection that makes breathing difficult, and it can be more severe during flu seasons or in areas with poor air quality.

How to prevent pneumonia in children:

• Give your child the pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine.
• Promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months to boost immunity.
• Maintain good indoor air quality by avoiding smoke and pollutants.
• Seek medical attention early if your child shows signs of respiratory distress.

Our support at Our International Hospital:

We provide pediatric vaccinations and treatment for respiratory illnesses. Our pediatricians also offer advice on reducing environmental risks and create tailored care plans for your child.

2. Diarrhea

Diarrheal diseases are a major cause of dehydration and hospitalization in children under five. In Indonesia, unclean water and poor food hygiene are common triggers for recurring diarrhea.

How to prevent diarrhea in children:

• Include the rotavirus vaccine in your child’s routine immunization.
• Use clean, safe drinking water and practice proper food safety.
• Teach children to wash their hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
• Keep household and school environments clean and sanitary.

Hospital tip:

Ask our pediatric team about the rotavirus vaccine to help protect your child from severe dehydration and reduce the need for hospitalization.

3. Tuberculosis (TB)

Indonesia has one of the highest rates of tuberculosis in the world. While TB is more common in adults, children who live with infected family members are also at risk.

How to prevent TB in children:

• Make sure your child receives the BCG vaccine at birth.
• Have all family members screened if someone has a persistent cough or confirmed TB.
• Avoid long periods in crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces.

What we offer at Our Hospital:

We provide TB screening for children and caregivers, along with BCG vaccination for newborns as part of our immunization program.

4. Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs)

ARIs include illnesses like influenza and other viral infections that can spread quickly in community settings such as:

• Schools
• Markets
• Events

How to prevent ARIs in children:

• Schedule annual flu vaccinations.
• Teach children to cover their mouths when coughing and to wash hands often.
• Keep sick children at home to prevent spreading illness to others.
• Limit your child’s exposure to air pollution and secondhand smoke.

Hospital tip:

Bring your child in immediately if they show signs of breathing difficulty, such as rapid or shallow breathing, wheezing, or unusual fatigue.

5. Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that can be passed from mother to baby at birth or through contact with infected bodily fluids.

How to prevent hepatitis B in children:

• Ensure your child completes the hepatitis B vaccine series as part of the national immunization schedule.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as toothbrushes or nail clippers.
• Only use sterile equipment for any medical or dental procedures.

Bali International Hospital support:

We review vaccination records and provide any missing doses to ensure full protection. If you have concerns about family exposure, we also offer hepatitis B screening.

Why Prevention Matters

Many children in Indonesia still face unnecessary health risks because of missed vaccinations, misinformation, or disrupted immunization schedules. Families may miss appointments due to travel, relocation, or even natural disasters.

At our international hospital, we work to close these gaps by offering:

• Complete childhood vaccination services – including catch-up schedules for missed doses.
• 24/7 emergency pediatric care – for fevers, infections, and dehydration.
• Parental guidance – on nutrition, hygiene, and preventive health measures.

Our pediatric team speaks both Bahasa Indonesia and English, making it easy for local and international families to get the right care without language barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What childhood illnesses can be prevented?

Diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and measles can be prevented with proper vaccination and hygiene.

What are 5 diseases that have a preventative vaccine?

Hepatitis B, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, tuberculosis (BCG), and influenza all have vaccines.

What are the childhood preventable diseases you know?

In addition to the ones above, vaccines also prevent measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.

What are the 6 childhood killer diseases?

These typically include:

• Pneumonia
• Diarrhea
• Measles
• Malaria
• HIV
• Tuberculosis

Many are vaccine-preventable or treatable with early care.

How Our Hospital Supports Your Child’s Health

We are committed to helping families protect their children through preventive care. At our hospital, you can access:

• Pediatric consultations for newborns to adolescents.
• Routine and catch-up vaccinations.
• Tuberculosis screening and rotavirus vaccination.
• Guidance on household hygiene, nutrition, and child safety.
• Emergency care for symptoms like high fever, vomiting, or breathing difficulties.

Whether you live in Bali or are just visiting, our pediatric team is here to provide safe, reliable, and personalized care. We tailor our services to your child’s age, medical history, and unique needs.

Book a pediatric consultation or contact us to learn more about the vaccination today at Bali International Hospital. Share this guide with other parents who want to keep their children healthy and protected.