Communicable Diseases of Childhood

Disease Agent Source/ Incubatio Period of Clinical Complications Therapeutic Nursing

Transmission n Period Communicabilit Manifestations Management Management
y
Chicken Varicella-Zoster Droplet, Direct 2-3 weeks 1 day before  Slight fever,  Encephalitis  Supportive  Airborne and
Pox virus contact eruption of malaise and  Secondary anti-itch Contact
lesions until 6 anorexia for infection therapy precautions
days after crusts 1st 24 hrs.  Herpes Zoster lies  Distraction  Avoid Aspirin
have started  Highly pruritic dormant in nerves  Antiviral (Reye’s
forming. rash and can become  Immunization syndrome)
(centripedal) Shingles later in  Skin
 Lesions in life. Immunization assessment
three stages is available for
present Shingles,
recommended for
those 60 years and
older.
Diphtheria Corynebacteriu Secretions, 2-5 days 2-4 weeks  Common cold  Toxic  Antibiotics  Droplet
m diphtheriae direct contact symptoms cardiomyopathy  Bed rest precautions
 Sore throat  Toxic neuropathy (myocarditis  Observe for
 Lymphadenitis  Obstructed airway prevention) resp distress/
(bull’s neck)  Immunization obstruction
 Fever,
hoarseness,
cough
Fifth Human Secretions 4-14 days uncertain  Slapped cheek  Arthritis  Antipyretics  No isolation
Disease Parvovirus B19 appearance  Analgesics  Pregnant
(day 1-4)  Anti- women should
 Red lacy rash, inflammatory not be around
spreads child.
proximal to
distal (day 2-
greater than
week)
 Rash comes
and goes
Roseola Human Saliva 5-15 days unknown  Persistent high  Febrile seizures (if  Antipyretics  Educate on
herpesvirus fever for 3-4 history) antipyretic use
type 6 days  Seizure
 Drop in fever, precautions
rash appears
for 1-2 days
(trunk, then
 spreads to
neck, face &
extremities)

Disease Agent Source/ Incubatio Period of Clinical Complications Therapeutic Nursing

Transmission n Period Communicabilit Manifestations Management Management
y
Mumps Paramyxovirus Saliva 14-21 Immediately  Fever,  Encephalitis  Analgesics  Droplet and
days before swelling headache,  Myocarditis  Antipyretics contact
begins anorexia (day  Sterility  IV fluids precautions
1)  Meningitis  Immunization  Rest
 “ear ache”  Fluids
(day 2)  Neuro and
 Parotid hydration
gland(s) assessment
enlarge (day 3)
for 1-3 days.
Measles Virus Secretions 10-20 4 days before to  Fever, malaise  Obstructive  Vit A  Airborne
days 5 days after rash (1st 24 hrs) laryngitis supplement precautions
appears  Cough,  Obstructive (reduces  Rest, quiet
conjunctivitis, laryngo-tracheitis morbidity &  Antipyretics
Koplik spots mortality)  Skin care
(next 2 days)  Supportive  Airway and
 Rash begins  Immunization skin
on face and assessment
moves
downward
(days 3-4)
 Abdominal
pain
Pertussis Bordetella Resp 6-20 days During resp  Symptoms of  Pneumonia (usual  Antibiotics  Droplet
(Whooping pertussis secretions/ symptoms resp tract cause of death)  Supportive precautions
Cough) droplet & infection  Atelectasis (O2 &  Nasopharynge
direct contact  Cough mostly  Hemorrhage, humidity) al Cx for Dx.
at night, thick hernias (from  Fluids  Assess for
mucous plug forceful cough)  Immunization obstructive
 Dehydration airway
Polimyeliti Enteroviruses Feces, 7-14 days unknown  General illness  Permanent  Bed rest  Positioning
s (Polio) oropharyngeal in varying paralysis  Sedatives (prevent
secretions. degrees  Respiratory arrest (anxiety over contractures)
Direct contact,  May have pain paralysis)  Skin
fecal-oral, and stiffness  Ventilation assessment
Pharyngeal-  CNS paraylysis (resp  Observe for
 oropharyngeal paralysis) resp paralysis
.  Phys Therapy
 Immunization

Disease Agent Source/ Incubatio Period of Clinical Complications Therapeutic Nursing

Transmission n Period Communicabilit Manifestations Management Management
y
Rubella Rubella virus Secretions 14-21 7 days before  Low-grade  Teratogenic  Antipyretics  Droplet
(German days rash until 5 days fever, effects on fetus  Analgesics precautions
Measles) after rash headache,  Rarely-  Immunization  Avoid contact
appears. malaise (1-5 encephalitis with pregnant
days) women.
 Rash (face
then rapidly
spreads
downward til
body is spread
in pinkish red
maculopapula
r exanthema,
within a day)
Scarlet Group A Beta- Naso- 2-5 days During  High fever,  Peritonsillar  Full course of  Droplet
Fever hemolytic strep pharyngeal incubation high HR abscess antibiotics precautions
secretions, period and  Tonsils  Acute  Supportive  Encourage
direct or clinical illness enlarged, glomerulonephriti (analgesics, fluids
droplet edematous s antipyretics)  Soft diet
and beefy red  Rheumatic fever  Rest  Education
 White coated (inflammatory (prevent
tongue (1st 1-2 disease that can spread of
days), then involve heart, infection:
strawberry joints, skin and discard
tongue brain) toothbrush, no
 Rash appears sharing
within 12 hrs eating/drinkin
(red, pinpoint) g utensils)
 Skin sloughs
off end of 1st
week