Chapter Eleven: Health Care in Child Care

Health Policies l Identification of infectious diseases l Management of infectious diseases l Managing care for mildly-ill children l Methods and practices for caregivers

Identification of Infectious Diseases Signs and Symptoms of Illness l Common indicators (Figure 11-1)  Listlessness  Sore throat  Runny nose  Diarrhea  Complaint of stomach ear or head ache  Red or watery eyes  Unusual rashes  Infection skin lesions

l Serious indicators  Fever  Vomiting  Severe coughing or breathing  Urine or strong odor  Unusual drowsiness  Excessive crying

Respiratory Tract Transmitted Diseases (see Table 11-1) Colds Influenza Strep Throat Scarlet Fever Chicken Pox Fifth Disease Sixth Disease

l Meningitis l Hib l Rubella l Mumps l Whooping Cough l Otitis Media l Tuberculosis

Fecal-Oral (see Table 11-2) l Giardia l Shigella l Salmonella l Hepatitis A l Campylobacter l E. Coli l Cocksackie virus l Pinworms

Direct Contact (see Table 11-3) l Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye) l Impetigo l Ringworm l Head Lice l Scabies l Cytomegalovirus l Herpes Simplex

Bloodborne (see Table 11-4) l Hepatitis B l HIV/AIDS

Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care Exclusion (see Guidelines Table 11-5) l Serious indicators and conditions l Includes adults in child care l If child excluded, provisions should be made for  Notification of parents, including time period and conditions for return  Notification of Public Health (see checklist Table 11-6)

Managing Care for Mildly Ill Children Three Questions 1. Is the disease highly communicable or communicable at this time? Will it put others at risk? 2. Does the child feel well enough to participate in child care? 3. Can the child care provide the mildly ill child adequate care?

Checklist for care of mildly ill children l Observe and record signs and symptoms l Pay extra attention l Provide quiet activities and quiet place l Administer medication l Supply good nutrition through foods and beverages

Observation l Recognition of serious signs/symptoms Supervision l Sanitary procedures in use l Notification of Public Health, if needed Education l Caregivers l Parents l Children Implications for Caregivers

Cultural Competence l Access to health care l Immunization l Sanitary habits

 Reality Check: Otitis Media and Child Care l Second most frequently diagnosed childhood disease l More than 50% children have 3+ bouts by age of three l Treated with antibiotics l Caregivers need to recognize symptoms for early intervention l Not contagious

Setting up care for mildly ill children l On job site l Family child care home l Child care center l Child’s home  Reality Check: Special Care for Mildly Ill Children

Must meet APA and AAHP guidelines l Information about illness, including physician’s name l Prognosis and instructions for illness l Care plan l Open line of communication with parents