- Diseases ·
The 8 most common school infections
Nursery schools and colleges are spaces where they can be easily extended infectious and parasitic diseases. Children share the same spaces for several hours, play and eat together and even share personal belongings. All this means that viruses, bacteria and parasites are also shared.
Most parents work and due to the difficult family conciliation we face, children go to schools without being completely healthy, infecting their classmates and even teachersLet us remember that they also have a family and can spread it at home when they return after a day with the students.
There are countless infections that children can get, but we must be clear that the immune system needs to face them, since it is green, that is, immature, it does not know microbes and therefore children are easily infected.
What are the most common illnesses at school?
There are eight most frequent diseases during the school stage of the child population (0-6 years) although there may be others. Our recommendation is to follow adequate preventive measures and consult the pediatrician to establish the most appropriate treatment to follow in each case.
Es the most common disease of all. Every episode of nasal obstruction, runny nose, cough, and even fever is considered a cold or colds.
Most babies in nursery schools have between 8 and 12 colds a year.
This infection has given children the nickname "brats."
If there are no complications, in a week the children pass the infection without leaving sequelae.
Who produces them?
They are produced almost exclusively by virus. 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 It is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person in the secretions of the respiratory tract that are expelled by 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
Children are advised to be well rested and hydrated, with an adequate diet rich in vitamins and minerals to have a strong immune system.
Today there are no vaccines that cover 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 prevention method is to avoid exposure to people with the infection, but it is practically impossible, so it is recommended to have the habit of wash hands frequently, do not share toys or personal belongings, and cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thus avoiding the transmission by this route of infectious diseases.
It is an infectious disease characterized by sore throat, fever, swelling and pain of the glands in the neck; Runny nose, 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?
El 70-80% of infections are viral, especially in children under 3 years of age; the rest are bacterial, usually caused by a bacteria called streptococcus, and affect children older than 3 years.
How are they transmitted?
The virus enters the body through the mouth, nose, or conjunctiva of the eyes.
The infection It is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person in the secretions of the respiratory tract that are expelled by 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.
The appearance of fever and headache from the beginning of the infection, causing discomfort in children and even causing 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 in colds or colds, where it is advised that children are 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 prevention method is avoiding exposure to people with the infection, but it is practically impossible, so it is recommended to have the habit of washing your hands frequently, not sharing toys or personal belongings 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, the main consequence of colds. 80-90% of children suffer from otitis in the first years of lifeThis happens because their auditory tube is smaller than those of an adult and makes the arrival of germs from the nose easier.
Who produces them?
Otitis can be caused by both viruses and bacteria.
How are they transmitted?
Ear infections they are not contagious. What usually happens is that the child gets a cold (virus) and begins to create mucus that passes into the ear and after several days it produces 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
Taking into account that the vast majority of the time it occurs after a flu process, we must follow the same preventive measures as in colds or colds, where it is advised that children are well rested and hydrated, with an adequate diet rich in vitamins and minerals to have a strong immune system.
Today there are no vaccines that cover us against so many microbes.
A partial solution is the flu vaccination annually. It is partial because it covers against influenzae A and B viruses and not against the rest.
The best prevention method is to get in the habit of wash hands frequently, do not share toys or personal belongings, and cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thus avoiding the transmission by this route of infectious diseases.
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 accumulation of mucus, to prevent them we should not use swabs for hygiene; as an alternative, we will opt for sterile gauze or the end of a hand towel to wash the external 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 gives the sensation of having 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, improve 8-10 days without specific treatment; on the contrary, if it is produced by bacteria, it is necessary the use of antibiotics and in 3-5 days they are cured (the specialist is the one who must determine it).
Prevention
The best prevention method is avoiding exposure to people with the infection, but it is practically impossible, so it is recommended to have the habit of washing your hands frequently, not rubbing your eyes (in young children it is complicated, so we must wash your hands if this happens), not sharing toys or personal belongings and cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
The towels of the child with conjunctivitis should be kept separate from the rest of the family and change 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 produced by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) usually from November to March and usually affects children under 2 years of age (higher incidence in children under 6 months). Most children are infected with the virus in the first years of life, but only some have bronchiolitis (usually without complications, with mild symptoms and without requiring hospital admission).
How are they transmitted?
Contagion occurs mainly by touching the eyes, nose and mouth after having been in contact with objects contaminated with the virus (toys, suckers, personal belongings. You can also be spread by breathing virus-infected particles from a person who coughs or sneezes.
Usual course of infection
At the beginning they usually present a catarrhal picture with mucus, cough and even fever. Then the bronchial tubes become inflamed and this prevents air from circulating through them, resulting in shortness of breath and wheezing or other noises when listening to the child.
The general malaise makes children have difficulty feeding and may even vomit.
Prevention
It is transmitted from one person to another, so just like a cold, the best prevention method is to avoid exposure to people with the infection, but it is practically impossible, so it is recommended to have the habit of washing your hands frequently, not sharing toys or personal belongings and covering your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thus avoiding the transmission of infectious diseases through this route.
As far as possible, avoid crowded places where there are many children (nurseries and playgrounds).
Must be avoid exposure to tobacco smoke.
Breastfeeding is recommended. Infants are more 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, it affects the mouth, hands, feet and diaper area.
Who produces them?
Various species of a viruses called enteroviruses are the cause of infection. It has its highest incidence among children aged 1-3 years presenting in the form of outbreaks. They can appear throughout the year, but especially in spring and summer.
How are they transmitted?
These viruses They are transmitted from one person to another by direct contact via the fecal-oral route (feces) and with secretions from the nose and mouth (coughing and sneezing). It remains in the respiratory tract and in the stool for several weeks after suffering the disease and can survive for a long time on objects, facilitating its transmission. Children can shed and shed the virus even without symptoms of infection.
Usual course of infection
The incubation period lasts between 3 and 6 days.
Start with fever and general malaise. Continue with some rashes with small blisters that do not itch and ulcerate and they heal between 5 and 10 days. They appear on the inside and outside of the mouth, palms (including fingers), diaper area, and 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.
Since asymptomatic infection and transmission of the virus are common before the onset of symptoms, 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?
El human herpes virus type 6 is responsible for this disease. Type 7 also produces it but less frequently.
How are they transmitted?
It is a contagious disease that transmitted by contact with respiratory secretions and saliva of children with or without symptoms (After infection, the virus remains latent in the body). The defensive (immune) response that occurs after a first infection prevents the disease from recurring.
Usual course of infection
The incubation period is 10 days. It starts with a sudden high fever. Sometimes the child is irritable, with nasal congestion, redness of the eardrums, throat, conjunctiva and enlargement of the nodes located in the neck. After 3 or 6 days, the fever abruptly disappears and a skin rash, small spots (1-3mm diameter reddish or pinkish) on the trunk and sometimes extending to the face and extremities.
Prevention
Infection by these viruses are widely spread in the population and there is no vaccine or way to prevent their spread. Having good hygiene habits, especially frequent hand washing, can help prevent the spread of many infections like this one.
It is a inflammation of the stomach and intestines very common in childhood and causing hospital admissions and lost days of nursery and school.
Who produces them?
Gastroenteritis can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, ingestion of spoiled food or non-digestive infections such as urine infections, otitis, etc.
How are they transmitted?
The virus that mainly causes gastroenteritis in children is the Rotavirus, and contracts through close contact with infected people, by sharing food, cutlery, napkins, or touching contaminated surfaces and objects. Those infected with the virus can spread from a few days to two weeks even without showing symptoms.
Usual course of infection
Start with dolor abdominal in the form of cramps, this triggers in diarrhea and sometimes fever and even vomiting (They can appear before diarrhea). In healthy, well-nourished children, gastroenteritis usually heals in a few days without complications. Stools may take a little longer to fully normalize.
The main complication to watch out for is dehydrationWhat happens if the child is not able to replenish by drinking the fluids he loses; This occurs if the child vomits repeatedly for several hours, or if there is very profuse diarrhea and adequate fluids (rehydration serum) 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 wash hands frequently and disinfect contaminated surfaces right after the child vomits or has diarrhea.
There are two oral rotavirus vaccines for young children - RotaTeq and Rotarix.
Despite being the order of the day, The COVID-19 virus is not currently a common virus in kindergartens and schools.
