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Children in nurseries, kindergartens and schools learn, meet their peers and learn how to function in society. They spend time with friends and get to know the world. Unfortunately, there is also the other side of the coin. Such establishments are a real breeding ground for diseases.
- Children attending nurseries, kindergartens and schools get sick more
- They often get infected from their peers with infectious diseases of childhood, but also with ordinary flu, colds or parasites.
- It is impossible to avoid disease in large clusters, but many are safer to pass at a younger age. Then they run more gently and without complications
- Although diseases brought from nurseries, kindergartens or schools usually do not pose a threat to the child, a visit to the doctor is always necessary
Children get infected from one another. One person is enough to infect even an entire group. Mrs. Dorota runs a private kindergarten point. It happened to her that for several days there were no children at all. They all fell ill. Sometimes irresponsible parents are to blame. Instead of going to a doctor, children with disturbing ailments are taken to a nursery, kindergarten or school. Unfortunately, even if everyone is careful, getting sick cannot be avoided. Most diseases are contagious some time before they show symptoms. The child seems perfectly healthy, when in fact it infects peers. Diseases are also often caught by parents, siblings and the rest of the household. Tutors and teachers less often – they are already immunized.
“2 days in kindergarten – 2 weeks of illness”
The first months in a nursery or kindergarten usually follow the same pattern. A few days in the facility and the child is sick. Most often it is just a minor cold or flu, but such a toddler must stay at home and take medication. After a week or two, he returns to nursery or kindergarten. But not for long. Much to her parents’ despair, she is most often sick again after a few days. “2 days in kindergarten – 2 weeks of illness” – parents complain on internet forums. This vicious cycle lasts about six months to a year until the child is immune. The first months in a nursery or kindergarten are always difficult in this respect.
It would seem that everything will be smooth after this time. Nothing of that. Now it’s time for childhood infectious diseases. Even immunization according to the vaccination schedule does not guarantee that our child will not get sick. Nevertheless, it is worth using vaccines because they make the disease milder.
The most common childhood infectious diseases
The most common diseases that affect children are measles, chickenpox, rubella, mumps, scarlet fever and Boston’s disease. The little ones also get infected with lice and pinworms from each other. Dangerous, especially in the youngest ones, are rotaviruses or the common intestine (gastric flu). Infection with pneumococci or meningococci is also dangerous. The list is long and most of these diseases will affect our child if not in a nursery or kindergarten, but at school. The good news is that infectious and infectious diseases are milder in children. In adults, they often result in serious complications, so it’s better to survive them at the stage of kindergarten or school.
Chickenpox is one of the most common and infectious diseases in children. It is accompanied by increased temperature and a rash on the body. In the youngest, it is mild and usually without complications. The varicella virus VZV is transmitted by airborne droplets and air. You can also get infected with it through contact with objects with viruses. You only get chickenpox once in your life. On the other hand, people who have had it can contract shingles. This viral infection is caused by the same virus. It most often affects adults and people with reduced immunity.
Measles is also very contagious, with symptoms including a cough and a rash. Infection occurs via droplets. Most children suffer from it in winter and early spring. Measles, although popular, can be very dangerous. It is one of the leading causes of death in children in developing countries. History of measles in childhood causes immunity to the virus for life.
Rubella most often affects children of school and preschool age. It has a very mild course in the youngest. It manifests itself as a pink (hence the name) maculopapular rash, present mainly around the face and neck, and in subsequent stages of the disease also throughout the body. The lymph nodes may or may not be enlarged. Sometimes this disease occurs without a characteristic rash.
Also read: Infectious diseases of the childhood period in adults
Another disease that a child can catch at school or kindergarten is mumps. It is an acute viral disease that presents with enlarged salivary glands, fever, headaches, and weakness. You may also experience very high temperature, nausea and vomiting. In 40 percent of patients, mumps is asymptomatic. It is a disease that is especially dangerous for boys and men. One of its complications is orchitis, which can cause infertility.
Scarlet fever, or scarlet fever, is one of the most serious infectious diseases in childhood. It used to be fatal, but today, thanks to advanced treatment methods, it is less of a threat. Scarlet disease is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets; the course of the infection varies from mild to very severe. Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics. It is manifested by increased fever, inflammation of the throat, enlarged lymph nodes and weakness.
The Boston Disease, known as the Boston Disease, is often confused with chickenpox because of the rash that occurs. Children become infected with it through droplets, but also through contact with faeces. The Boston rash appears as salmon-colored spots and papules. They mainly attack the face and upper chest, but are not pruritic.
In nurseries, kindergartens and schools, parasites and viruses lurk for children
Lice and pinworms are a big problem for children attending nurseries, kindergartens and schools. The first two parasites attack the scalp. They are more common in girls than in boys. Lice is a shameful topic these days, but it happens all the time. Contrary to appearances, it affects not only dirty and neglected children. The level of hygiene does not matter at all. You can get infected with it through contact with a sick person or by using common items such as towels or combs. Lice is manifested by severe itching. Pinworms are parasites that are very common in children. They can be infected by the oral route, but also by inhalation (by inhaling eggs). Symptoms may be the annoying scratching of the perianal area, mainly at night. Other symptoms include problems with concentration and sleep, lack of appetite, nausea, weakness, dark circles under the eyes, headaches and abdominal pain, and… teeth grinding. If left untreated, pinworms can lead to dermatitis as well as stunted development.
Rotavirus infection is a serious threat to the health and life of children. Inpatient treatment is often necessary. Rotavirus is very contagious and can survive outside the body for a long time. In order to get sick, it is enough to enter the room where the sick person previously stayed. The main symptom of infection is persistent diarrhea. In young children, it can lead to dehydration, so medical intervention and hospital stay is necessary. In addition to rotaviruses, children are also affected by stomach flu, a viral infection of the digestive system. It manifests itself as vomiting and diarrhea. It is often accompanied by weakness, abdominal pain and a lack of appetite.
Pneumococcus and meningococcus are dangerous bacteria that can even be fatal. They most often attack young children and the elderly. For the sake of safety, many parents choose to vaccinate their children. This greatly reduces the risk of getting sick.
Infectious diseases in childhood are treated symptomatically. The child is given fever-lowering, antitussive and pain-relieving medications. He should stay in bed, rest and drink plenty of fluids. However, the symptoms must not be underestimated. It is always necessary to visit a doctor who will make a professional diagnosis.