Preschools and schools are environments where infectious and parasitic diseases spread easily. Children share the same spaces for several hours, play and eat together, and even share personal belongings. All of this leads to the sharing of viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Most parents work, and due to the difficult work-life balance we face, children attend school without being completely healthy, infecting their classmates and even teachers , who, let's remember, also have families and can spread the virus at home when they return after a day with the students.
There are countless infections that children can contract , but we must be clear that the immune system needs to be able to face them, since it is green, that is, immature, it does not know the microbes and therefore children get infected easily.
What are the most common illnesses at school?
There are eight common illnesses among school-aged children (0-6 years), although others may exist. We recommend following appropriate preventative measures and consulting a pediatrician to determine the most suitable treatment for each individual case.
It is the most common illness of all . Every episode of nasal congestion, mucus, cough, and even fever is considered a cold or the flu.
Most babies in daycare centers have between 8 and 12 colds a year.
This infection has given children the nickname "brats."
If there are no complications, the children will recover from the infection within a week without any lasting effects.
Who produces them?
They are produced almost exclusively by viruses . There are more than 200 different types, although rhinoviruses predominate.
How are they transmitted?
The virus enters the body through the mouth, nose, or conjunctiva of the eyes.
The infection is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person in respiratory secretions that are expelled through coughing or sneezing.
The hands are a very important vehicle for the transmission of respiratory diseases.
In the case of younger children, the contagion is greater since they share objects and toys that they suck, as well as their own hands that they tend to put in their mouths.
Usual course of infection
- Fever no more than 3 days (not in all cases).
- Throat and nasal congestion 1 week. The mucus changes as the infection progresses, at first it is transparent liquid that drips from the nostrils, it continues to change its thickness and color to whitish, ending with yellowish or even greenish mucus.
- The cough may be more persistent and last 2 to 3 weeks.
Prevention
It is recommended that children be well rested and hydrated, with a proper diet rich in vitamins and minerals to have a strong immune system.
Currently there are no vaccines that protect us against so many microbes.
A partial solution is an annual flu vaccination. It is partial because it covers against influenzae A and B viruses and not against the rest.
The best method of prevention is to avoid exposure to people with the infection, but this is practically impossible, so it is recommended to make a habit of washing your hands frequently, not sharing toys or personal items, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing , thus avoiding the transmission of infectious diseases through this route.
2. Sore throat. Pharyngitis-tonsillitis.
It is an infectious disease characterized by sore throat, fever, swelling and pain of the lymph nodes in the neck ; nasal mucus, cough and hoarseness may also appear.
We must differentiate according to the area of infection; If the infection affects the entire area, it is called pharyngotonsillitis, but if only the tonsils are affected, it is called tonsillitis and if the infection is in the pharynx, we will have pharyngitis.
Who produces them?
70-80 % of infections are viral, especially in children under 3 years old; the rest are bacterial, usually caused by a bacterium called streptococcus and affect children over 3 years old.
How are they transmitted?
The virus enters the body through the mouth, nose, or conjunctiva of the eyes.
The infection is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person in respiratory secretions that are expelled through coughing or sneezing.
The hands are a very important vehicle for the transmission of respiratory diseases.
In the case of younger children, the contagion is greater since they share objects and toys that they suck, as well as their own hands that they tend to put in their mouths.
Usual course of infection
Start with sore throat, redness, and even difficulty swallowing.
Plaques of pus can appear in both viral and bacterial infection.
Fever and headache commonly appear from the beginning of the infection, causing discomfort in children and even producing vomiting and diarrhea.
The nodes on the side of the neck, under the jaw, are sometimes inflamed and painful to the touch (small lumps).
May cause skin rash.
Prevention
We must follow the same preventive measures as for a cold or the flu, where it is advised that children be well rested and hydrated, with an adequate diet rich in vitamins and minerals to have a strong immune system.
Currently there are no vaccines that cover us against so many microbes.
The flu vaccine helps prevent the viral pharyngotonsillitis that is associated with the flu itself.
The best method of prevention is to avoid exposure to people with the infection , but this is practically impossible, so it is recommended to make a habit of washing your hands frequently, not sharing toys or personal items, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thus avoiding the transmission of infectious diseases through this route.
Acute otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, a common consequence of colds. Between 80% and 90% of children experience otitis in their early years . This occurs because their Eustachian tubes are smaller than those of adults, making it easier for germs from the nose to enter.
Who produces them?
Otitis can be caused by both viruses and bacteria.
How are they transmitted?
Ear infections are not contagious . What usually happens is that the child catches a cold (virus) and begins to produce mucus that passes into the ear, and after several days causes pain and infection (bacteria).
Usual course of infection
Pain is the first sign of an ear infection, but it can also lead to fever. Depending on the age of the child, the pain may manifest in the form of crying, lack of appetite, listlessness, insomnia or irritability; or you can tell us directly that your ear hurts.
The vast majority of the time this occurs after a flu process.
Prevention
Given that it most often occurs after a flu-like illness, we must follow the same preventative measures as for a cold or the flu, where it is advised that children be well rested and hydrated, with an adequate diet rich in vitamins and minerals to have a strong immune system.
Currently there are no vaccines that protect us against so many microbes.
One partial solution is annual flu vaccination . It's partial because it protects against influenza A and B viruses, but not against the others.
The best method of prevention is to make it a habit to wash your hands frequently, not to share toys or personal items, and to cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing , thus preventing the transmission of infectious diseases through this route.
Nasal hygiene and aspiration of mucus, will prevent these from accumulating in the auditory tube.
If the child has a cold, it is better not to go to nursery school or college, if the cold gets complicated, the infection is more likely to reach the ear.
There is a percentage of ear infections that are not caused by mucus buildup; to prevent them, we should not use cotton swabs for hygiene ; as an alternative, we should opt for sterile gauze or the end of a hand towel to wash the external ear canal.
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye.
Who produces them?
Conjunctivitis can cause them:
- Viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms in the case of being infectious.
- Allergic reaction (pollen, mites, animal hair)
- Chemicals (cosmetics) or irritants (dust)
How are they transmitted?
Conjunctivitis is an infectious disease and is transmitted from person to person by coughing or sneezing (droplets expelled into the air), or through the hands, towels, washcloths or personal belongings.
Usual course of infection
It begins with the redness of the white area of the eye, increased tearing and even ocular discharge (legañas) that can be very clear, or cause the eyelids to stick due to their thickness.
Sometimes it feels like there's something in the eye, causing itching or burning . Pain is rare.
Vision is not damaged, but it can be blurred by mucus.
When the infection is caused by a virus, they improve in 8-10 days without specific treatment ; on the contrary, if it is caused by bacteria, the use of antibiotics is necessary and they are cured in 3-5 days (the specialist is the one who must determine this).
Prevention
The best method of prevention is to avoid exposure to people with the infection , but this is practically impossible, so it is recommended to get into the habit of washing your hands frequently, not rubbing your eyes (in small children this is difficult, so we should wash their hands if this happens), not sharing toys or personal belongings, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
The towels of a child with conjunctivitis should be kept separate from the rest of the family's towels and changed daily, until the eye discharge has stopped.
It is a respiratory infection where the bronchi and bronchioles (tubes that carry air into the lungs) become inflamed.
Who produces them?
It is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), usually from November to March, and typically affects children under 2 years old (highest incidence in children under 6 months). Most children contract the virus in their first few years of life, but only some develop bronchiolitis (usually without complications, with mild symptoms, and without requiring hospitalization).
How are they transmitted?
The infection occurs mainly by touching the eyes, nose, and mouth after having been in contact with objects contaminated with the virus (toys, pacifiers, personal items). It can also be transmitted by breathing in virus-infected particles from a person who coughs or sneezes.
Usual course of infection
Initially, they usually present with cold-like symptoms such as mucus, cough, and even fever. Then the bronchi become inflamed, preventing air from circulating through them, which causes difficulty breathing and wheezing or other unusual noises when the child is examined.
The general malaise makes children have difficulty feeding and may even vomit.
Prevention
It is transmitted from person to person, so like a cold, the best method of prevention is to avoid exposure to people with the infection , but this is practically impossible. Therefore, it is recommended to make a habit of washing your hands frequently, not sharing toys or personal items, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thus preventing the transmission of infectious diseases through this route.
If possible, avoid crowded places where there are many children (daycare centers and playgrounds).
Exposure to tobacco smoke should be avoided.
Breastfeeding is recommended. Infants are better protected against bronchiolitis.
So far there is no vaccination against the disease, although it is under study and development.
It is a childhood infection that, as its name indicates, affects the mouth, hands, feet and diaper area.
Who produces them?
Several species of viruses called enteroviruses cause the infection . It is most common in children aged 1-3 years, occurring in outbreaks. Outbreaks can occur year-round, but are most frequent in spring and summer.
How are they transmitted?
These viruses are transmitted from person to person through direct contact via the fecal-oral route (feces) and through secretions from the nose and mouth (coughing and sneezing). They remain in the respiratory tract and feces for several weeks after the illness and can survive for a long time on objects, facilitating transmission. Children can shed and spread the virus even without showing symptoms of infection.
Usual course of infection
The incubation period lasts between 3 and 6 days.
It begins with fever and general malaise . This is followed by a rash with small, non-itchy blisters that ulcerate and heal within 5 to 10 days. The blisters appear inside and outside the mouth, on the palms of the hands (including the fingers), in the diaper area, and on the soles of the feet. It usually affects the hands more than the feet.
Prevention
Disinfecting surfaces and washing hands is the best habit to prevent the spread of the virus, especially after changing diapers to children.
Today there is no specific vaccine against these viruses. Being a virus that is often asymptomatic and that is also transmitted before the onset of symptoms, not going to daycare or school is ineffective in reducing transmission.
Given that asymptomatic infection and transmission of the virus before the onset of symptoms are common, exclusion from school is ineffective in reducing transmission.
Also called roseola or sixth disease. It is an acute and benign disease that affects 90% of children under 2 years of age.
Who produces them?
Human herpesvirus type 6 is responsible for this disease . Type 7 also causes it, but less frequently.
How are they transmitted?
It is a contagious disease transmitted through contact with the respiratory secretions and saliva of children, with or without symptoms (after infection, the virus remains dormant in the body). The immune response that occurs after a first infection prevents the disease from recurring.
Usual course of infection
The incubation period is 10 days. It begins with a sudden, high fever. The child may be irritable, with nasal congestion, redness of the eardrums, throat, and conjunctiva, and swollen lymph nodes at the back of the neck. After 3 to 6 days, the fever breaks abruptly, and a skin rash appears , consisting of small , reddish or pinkish spots (1-3 mm in diameter) on the trunk, sometimes spreading to the face and limbs.
Prevention
Infection with these viruses is widespread in the population, and there is no vaccine or way to prevent their spread . Maintaining good hygiene habits, especially frequent handwashing, can help prevent the spread of many infections like this one.
It is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that is very common in childhood and causes hospital admissions and missed days of daycare and school.
Who produces them?
Gastroenteritis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, ingestion of spoiled food, or non-digestive infections such as urinary tract infections, otitis, etc.
How are they transmitted?
The virus that primarily causes gastroenteritis in children is rotavirus , and it is contracted through close contact with infected individuals, by sharing food, utensils, napkins, or by touching contaminated surfaces and objects . Those infected with the virus can be contagious for a few days to two weeks even without showing symptoms.
Usual course of infection
It begins with abdominal cramps , which then triggers diarrhea and sometimes fever and even vomiting (these may appear before the diarrhea). In healthy, well-nourished children, gastroenteritis usually clears up in a few days without complications. Bowel movements may take a little longer to fully return to normal.
The main complication to watch out for is dehydration , which happens if the child is unable to replace the fluids they lose by drinking; this occurs if the child vomits repeatedly for several hours, or if there is very heavy diarrhea and adequate fluids (rehydration solution) are not drunk.
You can tell that someone is well hydrated because they stay happy or tear when they cry, urinate regularly, and keep their mouth and tongue moist.
On the other hand, if the child is very prostrate, the lips and mouth are dry, he has not urinated for many hours or has sunken eyes, dehydration is already present and a medical evaluation is necessary.
With babies of a few months of age you have to be especially careful, as they can become dehydrated in a few hours.
Prevention
The most effective way to stop the transmission of these viruses is to wash your hands frequently and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after the child vomits or has diarrhea.
There are two oral rotavirus vaccines for young children — RotaTeq and Rotarix.
Despite being a common topic, the COVID-19 virus is not currently a common virus in nurseries and schools.