Common Childhood Infections BSME school nurses June 3 2016 Dr David Cremonesini
Chicken Pox Contagious from 1-2 days BEFORE rash starts until all blisters crusted over (usually 5-6 days after rash) Commonly March-May No treatment See a doctor if: Suspect blisters infected Fever was improving then getting worse Post exposure may take 10-21 days later to get symptoms
Chicken Pox Chickenpox is highly contagious and is easily spread from person to person by breathing in airborne respiratory droplets from an infected person's coughing or sneezing or through direct contact with the fluid from the open sores. A person who is not immune to the virus has a 70-80% chance of being infected with the virus if exposed in the early stages of the disease. Can catch chickenpox from shingles
Shingles Reactivation of Herpes Zoster
Cold sores Herpes Simplex
Molluscum Contagiosum Viral infection No reccomendation to be kept away from school, or from activities such as swimming. Self-limiting Can last for 1-2 years though
Fifth Disease Fifth disease is a common childhood infection causing a slapped cheek appearance and a rash. Fifth disease is caused by a virus. It most commonly affects young children and often occurs in several members of the family or school class. Thirty percent of infected individuals have no symptoms. Infective from 14 days before and ceasing at the onset of the rash. No recommendation to keep away from school once well
Impetigo Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection. It is often called school sores because it most often affects children. It is quite contagious Stay away from school until Lesions crusted and healed OR 48 hrs after starting antibiotics
During the infectious stage, i.e. while the impetigo is oozing or crusted: Cover the affected areas. Avoid close contact with others. Affected children must stay away from school until crusts have dried out. Use separate towels and flannels. Change and launder clothes and linen daily.
Viral Warts No recommendation to keep away from school or activities.
Warts are tumours or growths of the skin caused by infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV). More than 70 HPV subtypes are known. Warts are particularly common in childhood and are spread by direct contact or autoinocculation. This means if a wart is scratched, the viral particles may be spread to another area of skin. It may take as long as twelve months for the wart to first appear.
In children, even without treatment, 50% of warts disappear within 6 months; 90% are gone in 2 years. They are more persistent in adults but they clear up eventually. Many people don't bother to treat them because treatment can be more uncomfortable and troublesome than the warts - they are hardly ever a serious problem. However, warts may be painful and they often look ugly and cause embarrassment. Treatment Occlusion Chemical treatment. Cryotherapy
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Hand foot and mouth disease is a common mild and short-lasting condition most often affecting young children during the summer months. Hand-foot-and-mouth is due to a viral infection, usually Coxsackie virus. It is very infectious, so several members of the family or a school class may be affected.
After an incubation period of 3 to 5 days, the infection results in flat small blisters on the hands and feet, and oral ulcers. These are sometimes painful, so the child eats little and frets. There may be a mild fever. No recommended period to be off school once well
Scarlet Fever
Widespread fine pink rash might be itchy Fever, swollen tongue Often follows sore throat or impetigo Spread airborne or contact Treatment with 10 days of antibiotics Away from school until completed at least 24 hours of antibiotics
Measles Symptoms 10 days after infected Cold-like symptoms Red eyes Fever White spots in mouth Red-brown spotty rash few days later No tretament Stay away from school for 4 days after onset of rash
Rubella
Rubella Red-pink rash of small spots Swollen lymph nodes Fever Cold-like symptoms Aching joints Stay away from school until 4 days after onset of rash
Sunburn Prevention rather than cure! Simple mosturisers or aftersun lotions and pain relief. See GP or casualty if severe.
Conjunctivitis Bacterial Viral Allergic For Infective conjnctivitis No recommended period to keep child off school once well
Scabies Exclude from school until treated Household and close contacts require treatment
Tinea Fungal infection. Presents differently in different areas of the body. Athletes foot Ringworm Scalp ringworm
Scalp ringworm is most commonest between 3 and 7 years of age. It is slightly more common in boys than girls. Some infections are more common in crowded living conditions. The fungus can contaminate hairbrushes, clothing, towels and the backs of seats. The spores are long lived and can infect another individual months later. Zoophilic infections are due to direct contact with an infected animal and are not generally passed from one person to another.
Threadworms
Thread worms Main symptom is itch. Treat all members of the household, even if no symptoms. (1/3 of infections asymptomatic) Hygiene measures required even after treatment to prevent reinfection. Handwashing, short nails, discourage thumb sucking, cleaning bedlinen and bathrooms. Humans are the only host for threadworms