Communicable Diseases in Children

Children sometimes dislike sharing their favorite toy, a piece of their cookie, their mother's lap. One thing, however, that they share all too readily is germs. Communicable diseases spread very quickly from child to child as children play together. Some of the most common ones are also some of the most easily preventable.

Chickenpox

• Very likely the most well-known children's disease is chickenpox. It is rarely dangerous, but leaves a child very uncomfortable for sometimes two weeks with fever, painful blisters and sore throat. The virus, varicella-zoster, is spread by direct contact with an infected person or with discharge from the blisters. According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, for an otherwise healthy patient no medical treatment is required other than rest and itch relief. Immune-compromised persons should see their doctor.
  There is an effective chickenpox vaccine.

Whooping Cough

• Whooping cough, or pertussis, is another common children's disease. It can be dangerous, especially in young children who have not received all five installments of the preventive vaccine. The symptoms begin similar to those of the common cold, but after a couple of weeks a, insistent, "whoopy" cough sets in. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) tells us that the pertussis bacteria is contracted by breathing airborne bacteria expelled by a cough.
  Pertussis is treatable with antibiotics, and there is a vaccine, although it is not always effective in preventing the disease.

Rubella

• Rubella, also known as German measles or three-day measles, is another childhood rash. It is not dangerous and does not last long, but can be painful. The rubella virus is contracted by direct contact with secretions such as mucus from a sick person's lungs, or by breathing airborne viruses. Due to consistent vaccination of children, rubella has been nearly eradicated from the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. The only serious complication of rubella occurs when a pregnant woman is infected. The virus can be transfered to the developing infant through the bloodstream, and cause death or serious birth defects.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

• Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is an unusual disease which generally affects only infants and very young children. The symptoms are fever, sore throat, itchy rash on hands and feet, and painful sores in the mouth; it is rarely serious. Because it is spread by direct contact with patients or any surface which has been touched by an infected person, the best way to prevent this disease is good hygiene practices such as frequent hand-washing. There is no direct cure for HFMD, but symptoms can be treated with fever reducers, skin ointments and other pain relievers.

Scarlet Fever

• Scarlet fever is a complication of a streptococcus infection, and often comes in conjuction with or after a strep throat infection. The symptoms are a red rash all over the body combined with a high fever (hence the name scarlet fever). Patients will also have a sore throat and swollen tongue and lymph nodes. Scarlet fever can be effectively treated with antibiotics, and is rarely dangerous.