Common Childhood Illnesses Transmission or incubation Symptoms Prevention

Viruses and infections can enter our bodies in a variety of ways, for example...                                               Eyes Ears Nose Mouth Genitals Anus

How Disease Is Transmitted The process begins with someone who has the infection The infectious pathogen (bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite) leaves the sick person’s body The infectious pathogen reaches another child and enters their body The child develops the infection

Most common ways of the infection transmission in child care 1. INHALATION inhaling droplets of moisture containing viruses, bacteria, etc, from an infected person who has coughed or sneezed touching surfaces covered by droplets or from the person’s hands and then touching our own face or eyes surfaces include door knobs, telephones, toys, flush handles

INHALATION What can you catch? colds and flu TB measles mumps rubella whooping cough chickenpox conjunctivitis viral gastro-enteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines)

INHALATION PREVENTION of the INFECTION difficult to avoid getting infected cover mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing wash hands if you have contact with items or fabrics contaminated with droplet fluids encourage parents to keep their infectious child away from nursery until they are well NO SPITTING!

2. INGESTION eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water sucking fingers, thumbs, biting finger nails, smoking a cigarette with dirty hands hands can become contaminated from touching pets, farm animals, raw meat and poultry, soiled nappies, toilets...

INGESTION What can you catch? salmonella food poisoning dysentery hepatitis A (disease of the liver) threadworms

INGESTION PREVENTION of the INFECTION you can have some control over getting infected always wash hands after touching animals and pets, using the toilet and changing nappies always wash hands before and after preparing food and before eating follow good practices for storing, cooking chilling and re-heating food

3. INOCULATION by blood or certain body fluids from an infected person, getting into the body of another person through cuts or damaged skin by injection through the skin e.g. body piercing, tattoos, IV drug use, blood transfusion

INOCULATION What can you catch? HIV which can lead to AIDS hepatitis B hepatitis C

INOCULATION PREVENTION of the INFECTION you can have a lot of control over getting infected cover any cuts and abrasions with water proof dressing if giving care or dealing with blood use of disposable plastic aprons and disposable gloves when dealing with body fluids wash hands after removing gloves

SKIN to SKIN and HEAD to HEAD What can we catch? cold sores via kissing body lice - and in clothing and bedding fungal infections - ringworm, athlete’s foot warts and verrucas impetigo (skin disease) - from items soiled with pus HEAD to HEAD - head lice

SKIN to SKIN PREVENTION you can have some control over getting infected make sure that all people are treated so that they are no longer infectious to others avoid contact with infected areas either by person covering with dressing or carer using gloves washing skin immediately after contact can reduce transmission of infection

HEAD to HEAD PREVENTION can be difficult to avoid getting infected during close social interaction make sure that all children are treated to prevent re-infection check young children’s heads after each hair wash, on wet hair, using a detection comb Do not share towels and bed sheets etc.

Common childhood infections you may come across Chickenpox German measles (Rubella) Measles Meningitis Mumps Tonsillitis Whooping Cough Gastro-enteritis (stomach flu)

Chickenpox droplet spread e.g. via coughing and sneezing or by direct contact with blister fluid incubation period 13-17 days infectious 4 days before onset of rash until 5 days after appearance of first spots. May return to nursery after 5 days of spots appearing if feeling well pregnant women should seek antenatal advice – first 20 weeks and last 3 weeks

Rash of chickenpox

Rubella (German measles) caused by virus which causes mild fever and a rash fever, swollen neck glands, fine rash spread by direct contact with sneezing or coughing incubation period 16-18 days The disease is potentially serious because of the ability to produce defects in a developing fetus if the mother is infected during early pregnancy

Rubella syndrome is a group of physical abnormalities that have developed in an infant as a result of maternal infection with rubella virus. It is characterized by rash at birth, low birth weight, small head size (microcephaly), heart abnormalities, visual problems and bulging fontanel.

Measles caused by a virus, rare in this country since introduction of MMR vaccine fever, conjunctivitis, cough and/or spots on cheeks or inside mouth. 3-7 days later red, blotchy rash appears which lasts 4-7 days. Complications of pneumonia can occur. Incubation 7-14 days spread by contact with coughing and sneezing

Meningitis meningitis is an inflammation of the brain membranes caused by different bacteria and viruses symptoms include severe headache / high pitched cry in babies, drowsiness, stiff neck, repeated vomiting, irritability, fever, dislike of bright lights CAN CAUSE DEATH! GLASS TEST Press the side of a glass firmly against the rash. If the rash fades and loses colour under pressure it is not a meningitis rash. If it does not change colour, you should contact a doctor immediately.

Viral gastro-enteritis (inflammation of the stomach) can be caused by bacteria or virus sudden onset of vomiting and or diarrhoea very infectious (from spray created when ill) usually short-lasting = 24/48hrs thorough cleaning of wide area after illness episodes and isolation can reduce spread

Viral hepatitis (can be of A, B or C type) hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver hepatitis A is caught by swallowing the virus (contaminated food, water and from hands soiled with faeces) after 6 weeks - lethargy, nausea, pain in abdomen no treatment, usually full recovery vaccination can protect contacts and travellers

Mumps caused by a virus fever, swelling of one or more salivary glands in the neck. mumps virus can cause meningitis and deafness passed from one person to another via droplets (sneezing, coughing) or direct contact with saliva incubation normally 18 days but can be 12-25 days

Whooping cough (Pertussis) the signs of the disease are: coughing fits accompanied by a loud "whooping" sound as the child inhales, and vomiting. the complications of whooping cough include: pneumonia and brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency. can be treated with antibiotics or prevented by immunization.

Tetanus is transmitted when tetani bacillus enters open wounds the signs of the disease are: muscle spasms throughout the entire body, lockjaw, paralysis of the respiratory muscles, irritability, fever can be prevented by immunization.

Preventing Infections Promote Good Practice establish a daily cleaning routine - pay particular attention to play areas and surfaces, toilets, kitchens, highchairs and nappy changing areas establish a rota for cleaning toys, sand, water play areas, etc. provide suitable handwashing facilities and ensure regular use! ensure disposable gloves and aprons are available for nappy changing and when carrying out first aid

Raising Children’s Awareness teach the importance of regular handwashing and supervise, especially after going to the toilet and before eating cleaning teeth wiping noses and disposing of tissues covering mouths when coughing or sneezing

Case Scenario You are a nursery worker. A worried mother calls the nursery on Monday morning to inform you that her son has been admitted to hospital with suspected meningitis. Her son has been attending the nursery full time and was present the previous Friday. What should you do in this situation?

Case Scenario 1 Answers Don’t panic! Ask for help: inform your supervisor; contact local NHS unit who will establish the facts and advise (including advice to parents) If confirmed as a case of meningitis, it will be necessary for GPs to follow up close contacts close contacts include family members, kissing contacts and those who have stayed overnight with the family during the past 10 days

Case Scenario Answers (cont) ensure that you are aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis if you suspect symptoms in another child seek medical assistance promptly if another suspected case arises within a 4 week period then prophylactic antibiotics may be administered - the NHS unit will determine this