Childhood Illnesses &

Immunizations

Red or pale face, blue lipsLoss of appetite, vomiting, diarrheaFeverRunny nose, cough, sore throatUnusual or irritable behaviorLethargic, uninterestedRashDifficulty Breathing

Symptoms of Illness

Fever is a raise in body temperature98.6 F—Normal101 F—Considered a fever105 F or higher—See a doctor

Take temperature in armpit, rectally, or with ear or forehead swipe thermometer

Fever is the body’s way of fighting infectionNot necessary to reduce a mild fever

Ways of treating high feversDress lightly or bathe in cool waterTylenol or Ibuprofen—NO ASPIRIN FOR INFANTS!Lots of clear fluids

Fever

Common Illnesses that Can Reoccur

Immune system reaction to rhinovirus infiltrating the lining of the nose and throat

Symptoms:Tickle in the throat or sore throatRunny/stuffy noseCoughHeadacheSometimes a mild fever and loss of appetite

Treatments:Tylenol or Ibuprofen to ease discomfortLots of clear fluidsTime

Common Cold

Fluid builds up in inner ear (behind eardrum), causing infection

Symptoms:Ear pain (child tugging on ear)Cold-like symptomsLoss of hearing

Treatments:AntibioticsEar tubes for ongoing infections

A small hole is made in eardrum, a “tube” is placed in hole to drain fluid

Ear Infections

Inflammation/infection of the white of the eye caused by allergies, viruses, or bacteria

Highly contagiousSymptoms:

Swollen red eyeDrainage or extra tearingItching or burningSensitivity to light

Treatments:Medicated eye drops

Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

Bacterial infection in the throat and on the tonsils

Highly contagiousSymptoms:

Sudden, severe sore throatFever over 101 FSwollen tonsils or lymph nodesWhite or yellow spots at back of

a bright red throatTreatments:

Antibiotics

Strep Throat

Serious Illnessesthat Usually Do

Not Reoccur

Itchy rash covering the bodyHighly contagiousSymptoms:

Red, itchy skin rash which turns into blistersSometimes headache, abdominal pain, or mild

feverTreatments:

Topical ointmentsCool bath or oatmeal bathTylenol or Ibuprofen for

discomfort

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Infection of the skin and lymph nodesVery dangerous for pregnant women—birth

defectsSymptoms:

Mild feverSwollen, sore lymph nodesRash which starts on face

and spreads to rest of bodyTreatments:

Lots of clear fluidsTylenol or Ibuprofen for

discomfort

Rubella (German Measles)

Infection of the respiratory systemLife-threatening, infants under 6-months at

high riskSymptoms:

Cold-like symptomsDry, irritating cough that

develops into coughing spells“Whooping” soundChild may turn red or purple

Treatments:AntibioticsSometimes hospitalization, IV fluids, and

suctioning of respiratory secretions

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Swollen salivary glandsCan lead to swelling/inflammation of the

brain and other organs or meningitisSymptoms:

High feverHeadacheLarge, swollen cheek and jaw area

Treatments:Tylenol or Ibuprofen for discomfortTime

Mumps

Devastating virus that attacks the nervous system

Can cause respiratory difficulty, paralysis of arms and legs, and death

Has been virtually eliminated in the US, thanks to vaccine

Treatments:Iron lung (some for a few weeks,

some for life)Some patients paralyzed for life

Polio

All of these serious illnesses and many others

can be prevented with proper immunization

Immunization Schedule

Immunizations begin at birth and follow a schedule for the next few years

Children must be up-to-date with immunizations to register for schoolExemptions for medical or non-medical reasons

Some immunizations require boosters later in childhood

How Vaccines WorkAntigens attack red blood cells

to make a person sickThe body produces Antibodies

specifically designed to fight each Antigen

Vaccines introduce a dead or weakened Antigen into the body

They body produces the correct Antibody for that illness

The body has that Antibody “pattern” available should the real Antigens attack

For

The Immunization Debate

AgainstMany children are unvaccinated, because their parents are against it

www.kidshealth.orghttp://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id

=10212

Sources