Contagious diseases in children

Contagious childhood diseases: the contamination process

The contagion is the spread of a disease to one or more people. Depending on the nature of the disease, it is possible to catch it by direct contact with the sick person: handshake, saliva, cough … But also, by indirect contact: clothes, the environment, toys, bedding etc. . Contagious diseases are most often caused by a virus, fungus, bacteria or parasite such as lice!

Duration of contagion: it all depends on the childhood illness

In some cases, the disease is only contagious for a certain period of time and may not be contagious until symptoms subside. In other cases, it is even before the first signs appear of the disease, resulting in significant transmission and the impossibility of eviction in communities. For example, chickenpox is contagious a few days before the appearance of pimples up to 5 days after the appearance of the same pimples. Measles is contagious 3 or 4 days before the first symptoms until 5 days after the clinical signs. “ What should be remembered is that contagion is very variable from one disease to another. It’s the same for the incubation period »Insists Doctor Georges Picherot, head of the pediatrics department at the Nantes University Hospital. Indeed, the incubation period for chickenpox is 15 days, 3 weeks for mumps and 48 hours for bronchiolitis!

What are the infectious diseases of the child?

Know that the higher council of public hygiene of France (CSHPF) listed 42 contagious diseases. Some are very common like chickenpox, sore throat (not strep throat), bronchiolitis, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, otitis etc. Others, on the other hand, are less known: diphtheria, scabies,impetigo or tuberculosis.

What are the most serious childhood illnesses?

While most of these listed diseases are serious with virulent symptoms, the most frequent mathematically remains the most likely to lead to aggravations. Chickenpox, whooping cough, measles, rubella and mumps are thus considered to be the most serious diseases. However, it should be noted that cases of aggravation are very rare and that treatments and vaccines considerably reduce the risks.

Pimples, rashes… What are the characteristic signs of an infectious disease in children?

While fever and fatigue are the most common causes of infectious diseases in children, certain characteristics are found among the most common pathologies. The presence skin rashes is thus very common for diseases such as measles, chickenpox and rubella. We also find cough symptoms for bronchiolitis and whooping cough but also nausea and vomiting for cases of gastroenteritis.

Chickenpox and other contagious diseases: how to prevent contagion in children?

We can never repeat it enough, but to avoid contagion as much as possible, it is imperative to respect the basic hygiene rules, such as washing your hands regularly. You can also use a hydro-alcoholic solution as a supplement. Regularly clean surfaces and toys. In the open air, avoid sandboxes, it is a real breeding ground for germs of all kinds. If a child is sick, keep other children from coming into contact with him.

With regard to communities, private or public educational establishments and nurseries, the CSHPF revised the decree of 3 May 1989 relating to the durations and conditions of eviction because it was no longer suitable and therefore poorly applied. . Indeed, it made no mention of respiratory tuberculosis, pediculosis, hepatitis A, impetigo and chickenpox. The prevention of communicable diseases in the community aims to fight against the sources of contamination and reduce the means of transmission.. Indeed, children are in contact with each other in a small space, which promotes the transmission of contagious diseases.

What illnesses require isolation from the child?

The diseases that require eviction of the child are: whooping cough (for 5 days), diphtheria, scabies, gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, impetigo (if the lesions are very extensive), meningococcal infection, bacterial meningitis, mumps, measles, scalp ringworm and tuberculosis. Only a prescription from the attending physician (or pediatrician) will be able to say whether or not the child will be able to return to school or to nursery.

Vaccination: an effective means of combating childhood diseases

« The vaccination is also part of prevention »Assures Doctor Georges Picherot. Indeed, it makes it possible to prevent infectious diseases by canceling the carriage of viruses and other bacteria responsible for measles, for example, mumps or whooping cough. Remember that vaccines for contagious diseases (and others) are not all mandatory. Vaccines against tuberculosis, chickenpox, influenza, shingles are thus “only” recommended. If you have decided not to vaccinate your child, it is very likely that he will one day catch chickenpox and ” it is better for this to happen as a child than as an adult! »Assures the pediatrician.