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Disease: |
Description:
(Compiled from a variety of sources on the Internet) |
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Allergies |
An allergy is
an immune malfunction whereby a person's body is hypersensitised to react
immunologically to typically nonimmunogenic substances. It can result in
symptoms as benign as a runny nose, to life-threatening anaphylactic shock
and death. |
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(AOM), Acute Otitis Media |
Acute Otitis Media - an ear infection
that has become alarmingly common among young children in the day-care era. |
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Asthma |
Asthma is characterized by
bronchial inflammation, mucus production and intermittent airway
obstruction. A person with asthma may experience wheezing, shortness of
breath, chest tightness and cough. |
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Bronchitis |
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the
bronchi of the lungs. The symptoms can include discolored mucus
(white, yellow, or green), bloody (pink, red or rust-streaked) mucus,
shortness of breath (worsened by activity), wheezing, fatigue, low-grade fever, chest discomfort, and malaise. |
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Bronchiolitis (viral) |
Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the
bronchioles, the smallest air passages of the lungs.
This is most commonly caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
In a typical case, an infant develops cough,
wheeze and shortness of breath over one or two days. The infant may be
breathless for several days. After the acute illness, it is common for the
airways to remain sensitive for several weeks, leading to recurrent cough
and wheeze. There is a possible link with later asthma. |
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Chicken Pox |
Chicken pox is a highly contagious viral
disease. It is characterized by a fever followed by itchy raw pox or
open sores. |
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Colds (Rhinovirus) |
Rhinovirus is the most common viral
infective agents in humans. The most well-known disease caused by
rhinoviruses is the common cold, a mild viral infectious disease of the
upper respiratory system that lasts between 3 to 10 days. |
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Conjunctivitis (bacterial) |
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the
conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the
eyelids), due to infection. Causes marked grittiness/irritation
and a stringy, opaque, grey or yellowish mucoid discharge that may cause the
lids to stick together (mattering), especially after sleeping. |
Conjunctivitis (viral)
a.k.a. "Pink Eye" |
Viral conjunctivitis' symptoms include
watery discharge, variable itch, and the fact that the infection usually
begins with one eye, but may spread easily to the fellow eye. |
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Cryptosporidiosis |
Crypto is a parasitic protozoan disease
that can cause loose, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and a slight
fever. Spread through the fecal-oral route, it is often spread in
daycare centers where many diapers are changed. Cryptosporidium is
resistant to chlorine (bleach) disinfection. |
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
CMV is the leading cause of congenital
infection worldwide; approximately 10 percent of infants infected prenatally
have significant complications. Unfortunately, controlling the spread of the
infection is very difficult because children who contract the virus often
show no symptoms. As a result, children can unwittingly carry the virus
home and spread it to their unborn siblings through their mothers. |
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Dysentery |
Dysentery is a severe diarrhea illness
often associated with blood in the feces. There are two major types:
1) Shigellosis and 2) amoebic dysentery. |
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Epiglottitis |
Epiglottitis is inflammation of the
epiglottis. Due to its place in the airway, swelling of this structure can
interfere with breathing and constitutes a medical emergency.
Symptoms include fever, difficulty swallowing, drooling and stridor
(suffocating noises). The early symptoms are insidious but rapidly
progressive, and swelling of the throat may lead to cyanosis (skin turning
blue) and asphyxiation. |
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Fifth Disease |
Fifth Disease is a contagious viral
illness commonly spread among children, especially in close settings. 5th Disease is caused by the human
parvovirus B19.
Symptoms often resemble a mild case of the flu, sometimes followed by bright
red rash on the face ("slapped cheek disease"), and possibly later a blotchy rash on the body. |
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Gastroenteritis |
Gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the
gastrointestinal tract, is an illness of fever, diarrhea
and/or vomiting caused by an infectious virus, bacterium or parasite.
Sometimes it is referred to simply as 'gastro'. It is often incorrectly
referred to as the 'stomach flu' even though it is not related to influenza. |
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Giardiasis |
Caused by the microscopic Giardia
parasite, Giardiasis is a diarrheal illness passed via the
fecal-oral route. Primary routes are personal contact and contaminated
water and food. |
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Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease |
HFMD is characterized by fever, sores in
the mouth, and a rash with blisters. The most common cause is
coxsackievirus A16. Outbreaks in childcare facilities most often occur
in the summer and fall months. It is not the same as 'Foot-and-Mouth'
(Hoof-and-Mouth) Disease of cattle, sheep, and swine. |
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Hemophilus influenza type B meningitis |
Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis
is an infection of the tissue which covers the brain (meninges) caused by
the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae. In addition to meningitis, this
bacterium can also cause blood stream infections (sepsis), pneumonia, joint
and bone infections and other infections. |
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Hepatitis A |
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious
disease affecting the liver, caused by the Hepatitis A virus
(HAV). Symptoms may include: jaundice (yellow eyes), dark urine,
nausea, fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach ache, vomiting
Hepatitis A is spread by poor hygiene and sanitation. |
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Hepatitis B |
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection
caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
It is transmitted in the blood and body fluids of someone who is infected.
The infection may become chronic, especially in infants and children,
leading to liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis — a condition that
causes permanent scarring of the liver. |
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Herpes simplex |
The Herpes virus causes high fever and
painful ulcers in the mouth.
Virus is spread person to person through saliva and infected sores.
It may recur as cold sores. |
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Impetigo |
The most common
type is impetigo contagiosa, which usually starts as a red sore on a child's
face, most often around the nose and mouth. The sore ruptures quickly,
oozing either fluid or pus that forms a honey-colored crust.
This bacteria spreads easily wherever groups of people are in close
contact. |
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Influenza (Flu) |
The Flu is a virus that attacks the respiratory
tract. It is transmitted from person to person by saliva droplets expelled by
coughing.
Influenza's effects can be severe or even deadly. Influenza has
caused some of the most devastating epidemics in recorded world history. |
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Laryngitis (croup) |
Croup is an inflammation of the voice
box (larynx) and the airway just beneath it.
It is often characterized by a loud barking cough.
The biggest concern with croup is whether severe breathing difficulty will
develop from swelling of the airway. Some infants and children with severe
croup may need to be admitted to a hospital's Intensive Care Unit. |
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Lice (pediculosis) |
Lice are tiny (1/8 inch or 3 mm), wingless, parasitic
insects that feed on blood.
This itchy infestation is easily spread
through close personal contact and by sharing personal belongings.
Signs and symptoms of lice include: Intense itching, lice on the scalp, the
body, clothing, or other body hair. Lice eggs (nits) on hair shafts resemble
tiny pussy willow buds. Nits can be mistaken for dandruff, but unlike
dandruff they can't be easily brushed out of hair. Lice leave small, red bumps on the
scalp, neck and shoulders. |
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Measles |
Measles is primarily a
respiratory infection caused by a highly contagious virus. Also called rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children.
The characteristic red, blotchy rash is just an outward sign of more
worrisome changes. |
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Meningitis, Bacterial |
Bacterial meningitis is an infection of
the central nervous system caused by a
number of different strains of bacteria.
The complications of bacterial meningitis can be severe, causing permanent neurologic damage, including hearing loss, blindness, loss of speech,
learning disabilities, behavior problems and brain damage, even paralysis.
Within
a matter of days, the disease can lead to shock and death.
Non-neurologic complications may include kidney and adrenal gland failure.
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Meningitis, Viral |
Probably more common than bacterial
meningitis, viral meningitis occurs most often in children. It is
characterized by symptoms of headache, fever and general ill feeling.
Sometimes the disease progresses with further symptoms: nausea and vomiting,
stiff neck, sore throat, abdominal pain, muscle pain, photophobia, altered
consciousness. |
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Mumps |
Mumps is a viral infection.
Symptoms may include: swollen, painful salivary glands on one or both sides
of the face, pain with chewing or swallowing, fever, weakness and fatigue,
tenderness and swelling of a testicle (orchitis) |
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Otitis media (ear infections) |
Acute infections of the middle ear
typically produce a lot of pain and are usually accompanied by a
fever. Other signs and symptoms may include a loss of appetite or a feeling
of dizziness or loss of balance. Long-lasting or recurrent infections can
damage the eardrum, ear bones and middle ear structures and may cause
permanent hearing loss. In young children, even short-term hearing loss
can cause delayed speech development. |
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Parvovirus B19 |
In addition to causing
Fifth Disease, Parvovirus B19 has been known to
harm and even kill unborn children of infected pregnant women.
Although pregnant mothers of children attending daycare can be infected,
pregnant daycare workers have an increased risk of contracting this disease. |
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Pharyngitis (sore throat) |
Technically, a sore throat isn't a
disease. Most often, it's a symptom of another illness — usually a viral
infection such as a cold or the flu (influenza). Most sore throat germs are
transmitted through direct contact. For example, someone who is sick touches
a toy. A child handles the same toy, picking up the germs, which are
eventually transferred from the hands to the mouth or nose. |
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Pinworms |
Pinworms are small, white worms that
live in the intestines. They cause intense itching when the female
pinworm comes out of the rectum to lay eggs around the anus. Pinworms
are highly contagious! Bed linens, clothing, carpets, etc., can be
contaminated with their eggs. The infected person's hands will, invariably,
be contaminated with eggs, providing a route for reinfection and egg
dispersal throughout the entire daycare. |
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Pneumococcal disease |
Pneumococcus is a bacteria that causes
many different kinds of infections in people, ranging from ear infections
and sinus infections to pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. |
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Pneumonia |
An inflammation of the lungs usually
caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms.
There are more than 50 kinds of pneumonia ranging in seriousness from mild
to life-threatening. Although signs and symptoms vary, many cases of
pneumonia develop suddenly, with chest pain, fever, chills, cough and
shortness of breath. Complications can include bacteria in the
bloodstream, fluid accumulation and infection around the lungs, and lung
abscesses. |
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Rotavirus |
Rotavirus is the most common cause of
severe diarrhea among children. It may often result in hospitalization.
The disease is characterized by vomiting and watery diarrhea for 3 - 8 days.
Fever and abdominal pain occur frequently. The primary mode of transmission
is fecal-oral. |
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Ringworm |
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection.
People can get it from direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
or pet or indirect contact with an object or surface that an infected person
or pet has touched. Ringworm appears
as a circle of rash on the skin that's red and inflamed around the
edge and healthy looking in the middle. |
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RSV |
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a
common virus that causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract.
Children who attend child-care centers or who have siblings who do are at a
higher risk of infection. RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and
symptoms similar to those present during an upper respiratory infection.
(See Bronchiolitis) |
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Salmonellosis (Salmonella) |
Most persons infected with Salmonella
develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after
infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. However, in some persons
the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated
with feces. Food may become contaminated by the unwashed hands of an
infected food handler, who forgot to wash his or her hands with soap after
using the bathroom or changing a diaper. |
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Scabies |
Scabies is an itchy skin condition
caused by a tiny, eight-legged burrowing mite called Sarcoptes
scabiei . It causes intense itching. The sheer discomfort of scabies can
produce an almost irresistible urge to scratch.
Scabies is contagious through close physical contact and can spread quickly. |
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Shigellosis |
Shigellosis is an infectious disease
caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Most who are infected with
Shigella develop diarrhea, fever, and painful stomach cramps starting a day
or two after they are exposed to the bacterium. The diarrhea is often
bloody. In some persons, especially young children, the diarrhea
can be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. A severe
infection with high fever may also be associated with seizures in children
less than 2 years old. Some persons who are infected may have no symptoms at
all, but may still pass the Shigella bacteria to others. See Dysentery |
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SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) |
A condition also known as crib death.
SIDS strikes suddenly and silently, Typically, a peacefully sleeping
baby simply never wakes up. |
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Sinusitis |
An infection of the sinus cavities.
Sinusitis can aggravate asthma. |
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Streptococcus pneumoniae ("strep") |
Strep throat may lead to serious
complications, including: Tonsillitis, Sinusitis, ear infections, and
Scarlet fever. Additionally, strep throat may also lead to rheumatic
fever, which can cause heart damage. |
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Tapeworm |
Tapeworm is an intestinal parasite that
is transmitted by ingesting
infected fleas. Some children will have diarrhea, cramping,
abdominal pain, and, sometimes, rectal or anal itching. Fleas in daycare are usually found either on animals
or in a sand box. |
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Tonsillitis |
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the
tonsils caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
Sometimes the swelling can be so severe that the roof of the mouth and
tongue meet, blocking air flow and making swallowing extremely difficult. |
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Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium
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A life-threatening infection that
primarily affects the lungs. TB spreads through airborne droplets when
a person with the infection coughs, talks or sneezes. Pulmonary TB can
cause permanent lung damage.
Tuberculosis can also spread to other parts of the body where it can lead to
serious or life-threatening complications.
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Whooping cough (pertussis) |
Whooping cough affects the chest,
airways and lungs. It's caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria,
which spread through droplets of respiratory secretions that are coughed or
sneezed into the air by someone who's already infected. Symptoms include
severe coughing attacks that end with a high-pitched whoop sound as the
infected person gasps for air. These may be so severe that the person vomits
or turns red or blue from the effort. For young children, complications from
whooping cough are severe and may also include: Pneumonia, slowed or stopped
breathing, seizures, brain damage, or even death. |
