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November 17, 2004
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Childhood illnesses: The usual suspects
Does it seem like your children are always fighting some bug? Well, it's not much of an exaggeration to say they are. The average preschooler catches as many as 10 infectious diseases a year. Heading the list are common colds, stomach flu and strep throat. Take heart, though — most children become less illness prone after they start school.
Here is a lineup of the most common infectious illnesses that strike children.
| Illness |
Cause |
How you catch it |
Symptoms |
Prevention |
| Cold |
Viral infection |
By inhaling the virus or getting it on the hands and touching the mucous membrane of the nose or eye. |
Sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, mild fatigue and fever. |
Wash hands frequently.
Avoid sharing eating utensils, food, towels and handkerchiefs.
Catch sneezes and coughs with disposable tissues and discard right away.
|
| Intestinal infection (stomach flu) |
Viral infection |
Through fecal-oral contact, mainly from unwashed hands. Respiratory transmission also may occur. |
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. |
Wash hands frequently.
Avoid sharing eating utensils, food, towels and handkerchiefs.
Keep diaper-changing and food preparation areas widely separated.
Wear latex or plastic gloves when cleaning up after a child with stomach flu.
|
| Strep throat |
Bacterial infection |
By inhaling the bacteria or picking it up on the hand and touching the mucous membrane of the nose or eye. |
Sore throat, pain with swallowing, fever, headache, and swollen tonsils and lymph glands. |
Wash hands frequently.
Avoid sharing eating utensils, food, towels and handkerchiefs.
Catch sneezes and coughs with disposable tissues and discard right away.
|
| Mononucleosis |
Viral infection |
Through close contact with an infected person — for example, sharing a glass or kissing. |
Extreme fatigue, fever, headache, sore throat, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. |
Wash hands frequently.
Avoid sharing eating utensils, glasses, plates, towels and napkins.
Catch sneezes and coughs with disposable tissues and discard right away.
|
| Chickenpox (varicella) |
Viral infection |
Through direct contact with an infected person. Can be spread before the infected person is aware of illness. |
Red, itchy bumps that become blisters that dry and form crusts. Muscle aches, fever and fatigue. |
Immunize your child with the varicella virus vaccine (Varivax). |
| Head lice |
Parasite |
By direct contact with someone who has lice or with an infested person's recently used linens, clothing, comb or brush. |
Itching. |
Avoid sharing clothing, hairbrushes or other personal belongings. |
| Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) |
Bacterial or viral infection |
When bacterial, by hand-to-eye contact after the hand picks up bacteria, often from the nose and throat. When viral, by transferring the virus from hand to eye. |
Red, itchy eyes, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and eye discharge that crusts during sleep. |
Wash hands frequently.
Avoid sharing clothing, towels and wash cloths.
Keep hands away from eyes and don’t share eye cosmetics.
|
| Parvovirus |
Viral infection |
By direct contact, with an infected person who has virus-bearing respiratory secretions on the hands. |
Bright red raised patches on both cheeks and a reddish rash on arms, trunk, thighs or buttocks. |
Wash hands frequently.
Avoid sharing eating utensils, food, towels and handkerchiefs.
Catch sneezes and coughs with disposable tissues and discard right away.
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With the exception of chickenpox immunization, there is no fail-safe method of avoiding any of the above infections. However, promoting and practicing good personal hygiene will go a long way toward preventing these common infections.
| Related Information |
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By Mayo Clinic staff
August 19, 2004
CC00042
© 1998-2004 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "Mayo Clinic Health Information," "Reliable information for a healthier life" and the triple-shield Mayo logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
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