Childhood diseases

The term childhood disease is sometimes subjective, and does not refer to an
accepted, categorical list. Nearly all the diseases in this list can also be contracted by
adults, and, of course, all children can contract diseases not categorized as "childhood
diseases."
A rash is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture.A rash
may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the
skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cracked or blistered,
swell, and may be painful.The causes, and therefore treatments for rashes, vary
widely. Diagnosis must take into account such things as the appearance of the rash,
other symptoms, what the patient may have been exposed to, occupation, and
occurrence in family members.Rash can last 5 to 20 days, the diagnosis may confirm
any number of conditions
Rubella, also known as German measles or three-day measles, is an infection caused
by the rubella virus. This disease is often mild with half of people not realizing that
they are sick. A rash may start around two weeks after exposure and last for three
days. It usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash is not as
bright as that of measles and is sometimesitchy. Swollen lymph nodes are common
and may last a few weeks. A fever, sore throat, and fatigue may also occur. In
adultsjoint pain is common. Complications may include bleeding problems, testicular
swelling, and inflammation of nerves. Infection during early pregnancy may result in
a child born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) or miscarriage. Symptoms of
CRS include problems with the eyes such as cataracts, ears such as deafness, heart,
and brain.
Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is a highly contagious disease caused by the
initial infection with varicella zoster virus(VZV).The disease results in a characteristic
skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters, which eventually scab over.It usually starts
on the face, chest, and back and then spreads to the rest of the body.Other symptoms
may include fever, feeling tired, andheadaches.Symptoms usually last five to ten
days.Complications may occasionally include pneumonia, inflammation of the brain,
or bacterial infections of the skin among others.The disease is often more severe in
adults than children.Symptoms begin ten to twenty one days after exposure to the
virus. Chickenpox is an airborne disease which spreads easily through the coughs and
sneezes of an infected person. It may be spread from one to two days before the rash
appears until all lesions have crusted over. It may also spread through contact with the
blisters. Those with shingles may spread chickenpox to those who are not immune
through contact with the blisters. The disease can usually be diagnosed based on the
presenting symptom; however, in unusual cases may be confirmed by polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) testing of the blister fluid or scabs.People usually only get the
disease once.
Scarlet fever (also called scarlatina in older literature) is an infectious disease which
most commonly affects children. Signs and symptoms include sore throat, fever, and a

characteristic red rash. Scarlet fever is usually spread by inhalation. There is no

vaccine, but the disease is effectively treated with antibiotics. Most of the clinical
features are caused by erythrogenic toxin, a substance produced by the
bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) when it is infected by a
certain bacteriophage.Before the availability of antibiotics, scarlet fever was a major
cause of death. It also sometimes caused late complications, such as
glomerulonephritis and endocarditis leading to heart valve disease, all of which were
protracted and often fatal afflictions at the time.Strains of group A streptococcus that
produce the erythrogenic toxin are not inherently more dangerous than other strains
that do not; they are merely more easily diagnosed because of the characteristic rash.
Mumps, also known as epidemic parotitis, is a viral disease caused by the mumps
virus. Initial signs and symptoms often includefever, muscle pain, headache,
and feeling tired. This is then usually followed by painful swelling of one or both
parotid glands. Symptoms typically occur 16 to 18 days after exposure and resolve
after 7 to 10 days. Symptoms in adults are often more severe than in children. About a
third of people have mild or no symptoms. Complications may include infections of
the coverings of the brain (15%), pancreatitis (4%), permanent deafness, and painful
testicular swelling which uncommonly results in infertility. Women may
develop ovarian swelling but this does not increase the risk of infertility. Mumps is
highly contagious and spreads rapidly among people living in close quarters. The
virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets or direct contact with an infected
person. Only humans get and spread the disease. People are infectious to each other
from a few days before the start of symptoms to four days after. After an infection a
person is typically immune for life. Reinfection is possible but tends to be mild.
Diagnosis is usually suspected due to parotid swelling and can be confirmed by
isolating the virus on a swab of the parotid duct. Testing for IgM antibodies in the
blood is simple and may be useful; however, can be falsely negative in those who
have been immunized.