Common Childhood Illness

Chicken Pox
 A person with chickenpox is contagious 1-2 days
before the rash and until 6 days after the first blister
appears. Children should stay away from school or
childcare facilities throughout this contagious
period. Adults with chickenpox who work amongst
children, should also remain at home.
 It can take from 10-21 days after contact with an
infected person for someone to develop
chickenpox. This is how long it takes for the virus to
replicate and come out in the characteristic rash in
the new host.
 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.
 Herpes Simplex
 Cold sores
 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
 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.

 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
 Conjunctivitis
 Bacterial
 Viral
 Allergic

 For Infective conjnctivitis

 No recommended period to keep child off school
once well
 Scabies
 Exclude from school until treated
 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