Childhood Communicable Infectious Diseases
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Childhood Communicable Infectious Diseases
Children have immature or unstable immunity, which exposes them to the risk of contracting infections. Communicable infectious diseases are common in children because they are close to one another most of the time at school, buses, daycares, or classes. Microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses cause infectious diseases. Some of these infections are directly transmissible from one person to another through body contact, body secretions or fluids, air, or other agents such as insects.
The spread of infectious diseases sometimes occurs through bacteria such as scarlet fever. The spread of the virus causing hand-foot-and-mouth disease, measles, and chickenpox, especially during coughs or sneezes, causes transmission from one child to another. Close or personal contact with infected persons or sharing items with patients also spread childhood infections. This also applies to insect-caused infections such as scabies (lice) and fungal infections such as ringworms.
The prevention measures of childhood diseases may not be straightforward interventions. They range from vaccinations, treatment, or management of symptoms. Behavioral therapies are also conventional, but parents play an essential role in ensuring their children are safe from these contagious infections. These diseases often cause lifelong immunities in patients. Vaccinations also provide immunities to some conditions. Besides, childhood communicable diseases are most infectious even before the appearance of signs and symptoms in patients. This increases the risk of transmission among peers. Also, skin changes are the most typical manifestation of infectious diseases in children.
The table below shows some examples of childhood communicable diseases.
| Disease | Definition and cause | Manifestations | Transmission | Prevention/Treatment |
| Measles | Respiratory disease caused by the measles virus | Coughs Fever Red spots on the skin | Sneezing Coughing | Vaccination |
| Chicken Pox | Varicella-zoster virus | Skin rash | Sneezing or coughing | Goes away on its own Vaccination |
| Scarlet fever | Throat infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria | Sandpaper-like rash of 1–2 mm red bumps. Fever, aches, tonsils | Airway secretions | Ten-day- Antibiotic treatment to kill bacteria |
| German Measles | Rubella virus Spread through contact of respiratory tract fluids | Rash Fever | Coughing Sneezing | Antibiotic |
| Scabies | Itchy skin condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei | Entire body itching | Prolonged skin contact | Skin ointments |
| Hand-Foot and Mouth Disease | Viral disease caused by Coxsackievirus A16. | Fever Sore throat Headache
| Direct contact with nasal, oral secretions, and stool contact. | Fluids or pain killers |
| Ringworm | Spots and patches of broken hair on the head caused by a fungus. | Ringworm on scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes | Direct contact with infected people or objects. | Anti-fungal syrups such as Griseofulvin, Terbinafine, Itraconazole. |
| Pink Eye | Inflammation of the eye and/or the inside lining of the eyelids caused by virus, bacteria or allergies or injuries | Itching Discharges from eye Pink or red color Pain Sensitivity to light | Contact and sharing of personal items. | Antibiotics Anti-inflammatory or Anti-allergy drops |
| Roseola | Mild illness caused by herpes viruses. | Fever followed by a rash on torso | Contact | Management of symptoms – fever with Tylenol. |
| Fifth disease | Infection with parvovirus B19 | Lacy rashes on parts of the body. Red cheeks | Spread through contact or respiratory secretions. | No required treatment. Management of symptoms |
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