Download Childhooh Infections - Welcome to Selly Park Technology

Common Childhood Illnesses
•Transmission
•Symptoms
•Prevention
LBeattie – 2006
Viruses can enter our bodies
in a variety of ways, for example...
LBeattie – 2006
How Disease Is Transmitted
• The process begins with someone
who has the infection
• The infectious pathogen (bacteria,
virus, fungus, or parasite) leaves
the sick person’s body
• The infectious pathogen reaches
another child and enters his body
• The child develops the infection
LBeattie – 2006
Most common ways of the infection
transmission in child care
1. INHALATION
• inhaling droplets of moisture
containing viruses, bacteria,
etc, from an infected person
who has coughed or sneezed
• touching surfaces covered by
droplets or from the person’s
hands and then touching our
own face or eyes
– surfaces include door knobs,
– telephones, toys, flush handles
LBeattie – 2006
INHALATION
What can you catch?
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colds and flu
TB
measles
mumps
rubella
whooping cough
chickenpox
conjunctivitis
viral gastro-enteritis
LBeattie – 2006
INHALATION
PREVENTION of the INFECTION
• difficult to avoid getting infected
• cover mouth or nose when coughing or
sneezing
• wash hands if you have contact with items
or fabrics contaminated with droplet fluids
• encourage parents to keep their infectious
child away from nursery until they are well
LBeattie – 2006
2. INGESTION
– eating contaminated food
or drinking contaminated
water
– sucking fingers, thumbs,
biting finger nails, smoking
a cigarette with dirty hands
– hands can become
contaminated from
touching pets, farm
animals, raw meat and
poultry, soiled nappies,
toilets...
LBeattie – 2006
INGESTION
What can you catch?
salmonella
food poisoning
dysentery
hepatitis A
threadworms
LBeattie – 2006
INGESTION
PREVENTION of the INFECTION
• you can have some control over getting infected
– always wash hands after touching animals and
pets, using the toilet and changing nappies
– always wash hands before and after preparing food
and before eating
– follow good practices for storing,
– cooking chilling and re-heating food
LBeattie – 2006
3. INOCULATION
• by blood or certain body fluids from an
infected person, getting into the body of
another person
– through cuts or damaged skin
– by injection through the skin e.g.
– body piercing, tattoos, IV drug
use, blood transfusion
LBeattie – 2006
INOCULATION
What can you catch?
• HIV which can lead to AIDS
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
LBeattie – 2006
INOCULATION
PREVENTION of the INFECTION
• you can have a lot of control over getting
infected
• cover any cuts and abrasions with water
proof dressing if giving care or dealing
with blood
• use of disposable plastic
aprons and disposable
gloves when dealing with
body fluids
• wash hands after removing
gloves
LBeattie – 2006
SKIN to SKIN
and HEAD to HEAD
What can we catch?
• cold sores via kissing
• body lice - and in clothing
and bedding
• fungal infections ringworm, athlete’s foot
• warts and verrucaes
• impetigo - and from items
soiled with pus
• HEAD to HEAD - head
lice
LBeattie – 2006
SKIN to SKIN
PREVENTION
• you can have some control over getting
infected
– make sure that all people are treated so that
they are no longer infectious to others
– avoid contact with infected areas either by
person covering with dressing or carer using
gloves
– washing skin immediately after contact can
reduce transmission of infection
LBeattie – 2006
HEAD to HEAD
PREVENTION
• can be difficult to avoid getting infected
during close social interaction
– make sure that all children are treated to
prevent re-infection
– check young children’s heads after each hair
wash, on wet hair, using a detection comb
LBeattie – 2006
Common childhood infections
you may come across
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Chickenpox
German measles (Rubella)
Measles
Meningites
Mumps
Tonsillitis
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Gastro-enteritis
LBeattie – 2006
Chickenpox
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droplet spread e.g. via
coughing and sneezing or by
direct contact with blister fluid
incubation period 13-17 days
infectious 4 days before onset
of rash until 5 days after
appearance of first spots. May
return to nursery after 5 days of
spots appearing if feeling well
pregnant women should
seek antenatal advice – first
20 weeks and last 3 weeks
LBeattie – 2006
Rash of
chickenpox
LBeattie – 2006
Rubella
(German measles)
• caused by virus which causes
mild fever and a rash
• fever, swollen neck glands,
fine rash
• spread by direct contact with
sneezing or coughing
incubation period 16-18 days
• The disease is potentially
serious because of the ability
to produce defects in a
developing fetus if the mother
is infected during early
pregnancy
LBeattie – 2006
Rubella syndrome is a group of physical abnormalities that have
developed in an infant as a result of maternal infection with rubella
virus. It is characterized by rash at birth, low birth weight, small head
size, heart abnormalities, visual problems and bulging fontanelle.
LBeattie – 2006
Measles
• caused by a virus, rare in this country since introduction of
MMR vaccine
• fever, conjunctivitis, cough and/or spots on cheeks or inside
mouth. 3-7 days later red, blotchy rash appears which lasts
4-7 days. Complications of pneumonia can occur. Incubation
7-14 days
• spread by contact with coughing and sneezing
LBeattie – 2006
Meningitis
• meningitis is an inflammation of
the brain membranes
• caused by different bacteria and
viruses
• symptoms include severe
headache / high pitched cry in
babies, drowsiness, stiff neck,
repeated vomiting, irritability,
fever, dislike of bright lights
• CAN CAUSE DEATH!
GLASS TEST
•Press the side of a glass firmly against the rash.
•If the rash fades and loses colour under pressure it is not a
meningitis rash.
•If it does not change colour, you should contact a doctor
immediately.
LBeattie – 2006
Viral gastro-enteritis
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can be caused by bacteria or virus
sudden onset of vomiting and or diarrhoea
very infectious (from spray created when ill)
usually short-lasting = 24/48hrs
thorough cleaning of wide area after illness
episodes and isolation can reduce spread
LBeattie – 2006
Viral hepatitis (can be of A, B or
C type)
• hepatitis is an inflammation
of the liver
• hepatitis A is caught by
swallowing the virus
(contaminated food, water
and from hands soiled with
faeces)
• after 6 weeks - lethargy,
nausea, pain in abdomen
• no treatment, usually full
recovery
• vaccination can protect
contacts and travellers
LBeattie – 2006
Mumps
• caused by a virus
• fever, swelling of one or more
salivary glands in the neck.
• mumps virus can cause
meningitis and deafness
• passed from one person to
another via droplets (sneezing,
coughing) or direct contact with
saliva
• incubation normally 18 days but
can be 12-25 days
LBeattie – 2006
Fifth disease
(“slapped cheek” disease)
• caused by a virus. Usually
mild
• red rash on cheeks,
followed by lace-like rash
on the body and limbs for
up to 3 weeks
• infectious before onset of
rash. Mostly spread by
droplets
• pregnant women should
seek advice ASAP
especially if in first 20
weeks
LBeattie – 2006
Whooping cough (Pertussis)
the signs of the disease are:
coughing fits accompanied by a loud
"whooping" sound as the child
inhales, and vomiting.
 the complications of whooping
cough include: pneumonia and brain
damage caused by oxygen
deficiency.
 can be treated with antibiotics
or prevented by immunization.

LBeattie – 2006
Tetanus
• is transmitted when tetani
bacillus enters open wounds
• the signs of the disease
are: muscle spasms
throughout the entire body,
lockjaw, paralysis of the
respiratory muscles,
irritability, fever
• can be prevented by
immunization.
LBeattie – 2006
Preventing Infections
Promote Good Practice
• establish a daily cleaning routine - pay particular
attention to play areas and surfaces, toilets,
kitchens, highchairs and nappy changing areas
• establish a rota for cleaning toys, sand, water play
areas, etc.
• provide suitable handwashing facilities and
ensure regular use!
• ensure disposable gloves and aprons are available
for nappy changing and when carrying out first aid
LBeattie – 2006
Raising Children’s Awareness
• teach the importance of
regular handwashing
and supervise,
especially after going to
the toilet and before
eating
• cleaning teeth
• wiping noses and
disposing of tissues
• covering mouths when
coughing or sneezing
LBeattie – 2006
Case Scenario
A worried mother calls the nursery on Monday
morning to inform you that her son has been
admitted to hospital with suspected
meningitis. Her son has been attending the
nursery full time and was present the
previous Friday.
What should you do in this situation?
LBeattie – 2006
Case Scenario 1 Answers
• Don’t panic!
• Ask for help: inform your supervisor; contact
local NHS unit who will establish the facts and
advise (including advice to parents)
• If confirmed as a case of meningitis, it will be
necessary for GPs to follow up close contacts
• close contacts include family members, kissing
contacts and those who have stayed overnight
with the family during the past 10 days
LBeattie – 2006
Case Scenario Answers (cont)
• ensure that you are aware of the
signs and symptoms of meningitis
• if you suspect symptoms in another
child seek medical assistance
promptly
• if another suspected case arises
within a
4 week period then prophylactic
antibiotics may be administered - the
NHS unit will determine this
LBeattie – 2006