1. Common Childhood Illnesses
Transmission or incubation
Symptoms
Prevention

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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!

7. 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...

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

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

17. Chickenpox
droplet spread e.g. via coughing and sneezing or by direct contact with blister fluid
incubation period 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

18. Rash of
chickenpox

19. 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 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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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 days

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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?

31. 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

32. 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