What Are Some of the Most Common Diseases in Children?

Nothing is more disturbing to a parent than when a child becomes ill. Children share many things, books, toys and also illnesses. Many viruses are highly contagious. Recognizing the symptoms of some of the most common childhood diseases can help you be better prepared.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease common among children caused by the varicella zoster virus. Your child may first have a fever, headache or sore throat. Following this, he will break out in an itchy rash with red spots or blisters called pox all over the body. Chickenpox is contagious from one to five days before the rash appears until all the blisters have scabbed over. This can take anywhere from five to ten days. It may take ten to 21 days after being exposed to actually develop chickenpox.

Fifth disease

Fifth disease, also called "slapped-cheek" disease, is a very common disease in children. First, your child will suffer flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, fever, sore throat and headache. Several days later, she will develop a rash starting with bright red spots on the cheeks of the face that spreads to the rest of the body. The disease normally lasts a couple of days but in rare cases can last for several weeks. Children are no longer contagious once the rash has appeared.

Roseola

Roseola is a disease that commonly affects children under two years of age. It is caused by two herpes viruses collectively referred to as Roseolovirus. The child develops a sudden high fever, sometimes as high as 105 degrees. Afterward, a rosy colored rash appears on the torso, arms and neck. The rash is normally not itchy. Roseola unlike some other common childhood diseases is not accompanied by cold or flu-like symptoms except for fever. Watch for high fever as there can be a danger of seizures.

Upper Respiratory Infections

Upper Respiratory Infections including the common cold, are caused by viruses and are very common in young children. Children may suffer from fever, runny nose, sneezing and cough for a week or longer. Cold symptoms may be more severe in small children because their immune system is not yet fully developed. There are 99 known rhinovirus that can cause upper respiratory infections. Colds in severe cases can lead to bronchitis, strep throat or pneumonia.

Step Throat

Strep throat can be a serious infection in a child. It is caused by streptococcus bacteria and is contagious. The child may vomit and complain of a headache several hours before developing a severe sore throat. If not treated, strep throat can develop into scarlet fever or rheumatic fever.

Warnings

Never give a child aspirin for fever because of its association to Reye's Syndrome. Reye's syndrome is a rare illness that can affect the brain and liver of children recovering from viral infections.

Sources:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/childrensdiseases.htm

http://www.pamf.org/children/common/childhooddisease/

http://www.hon.ch/Dossier/MotherChild/childhood_diseases/childhood_diseases.html

http://www.childabusecouncil.com/frc/health12.html

http://www.ynhh.org/healthlink/pediatrics/pediatrics_7_00.html