Common childhood infectious diseases

It's possible for immunization to prevent a number of common childhood infectious diseases such as measles, whooping cough etc. The following table outlines some of the most common childhood diseases and how they can be prevented.

Disease: Measles - Incubation period: 10-14 days
Symptoms	Treatment	Complications	Immunity	Prevention
Runny nose, cough, inflamed eyes, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, Koplik’s spots on the inside of the cheeks, at first then after four days a rash behind the ears, then on the face, then on the body.	No specific treatment other than junior paracetamol and/or ibuprofen to reduce the fever. If secondary infection of the ears or lungs occurs antibiotics will be necessary.	Ear infection, pneumonia encephalitis, gastroenteritis	Lifelong	MMR immunization at around 13 months and at three years and four months or soon after.
Disease: Rubella (German measles) - Incubation period: 14-21 days
Symptoms	Treatment	Complications	Immunity	Prevention
Slight temperature, enlarged glands at the back of the neck, rash behind the ears then on the forehead, then the rest of the body. Rash lasts three days.	No specific treatment.	None to your child but fetal damage could occur in a pregnant woman	Lifelong	MMR immunization at around 13 months and at three years and four months or soon after.
Disease: Roseola - Incubation period: 4-7 days
Symptoms	Treatment	Complications	Immunity	Prevention
A high temperature with slight cold symptoms; a pink rash after three days when temperature goes down.	No specific treatment.	Rarely causes infantile convulsions	Usually lifelong	None
Disease: Chicken pox - Incubation period: 10-21 days
Symptoms	Treatment	Complications	Immunity	Prevention
Dark red, irritating groups of spots that emerge every three or four days. Initially look like blisters then scab over.	Relieve itching with moisturizer that contains an antiseptic.	Encephalitis, pneumonia	Lifelong	None
Disease: Whooping cough (pertussis) - Incubation period: Around 7 days
Symptoms	Treatment	Complications	Immunity	Prevention
Slight temperature, runny nose, slight cough then a convulsive cough followed by whooping breath, vomiting, cyanosis (blue colouring to skin) during coughing spasms, then exhaustion.	Antibiotics must be given early to be effective; fresh air. Possibly raise your child’s head in bed to make breathing easier.	Possibility of seizures, bronchitis or pneumonia	Lifelong	Immunization at two, three and four months and at three years and four months or soon after.
Disease: Mumps - Incubation period: 17-21 days
Symptoms	Treatment	Complications	Immunity	Prevention
Swelling and soreness of the glands at the sides of the face, in front of the ears, painful swallowing and dry mouth. Fever and generally unwell.	Plenty to drink, soft food if chewing is painful.	Meningitis, inflammation of the testicles	Lifelong	MMR immunization at around 13 months and at three years and four months or soon after.
Disease: Scarlet fever or Scarlatina - Incubation period: 2-5 days
Symptoms	Treatment	Complications	Immunity	Prevention
Sore throat, lack of appetite, fever, vomiting, swollen glands, tiny red spots, scarlet facial flushing and strawberry-coloured tongue.	Penicillin, plenty to drink, and rest in bed as long as fever lasts.	Rheumatic fever	Lifelong	None

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 30.06.2010

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