Common viral and bacterial diseases of childhood

Also known as cold sores, HSV-1, HSV-2
Transmitted through direct contact with an infected person
Incubation period ranges from 2 to 12 days
Symptoms include fever, headache, and painful blisters
Treatment includes antiviral medications and pain relief
Prevention includes avoiding contact with infected individuals
Complications can include encephalitis, keratitis, and meningitis
Reinfection is possible due to HSV's ability to remain latent in sensory neurons

Also called chickenpox
Transmitted through respiratory droplets
Incubation period is 10 to 21 days
Symptoms include itchy rash with fluid-filled blisters, fever, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite
Treatment includes antiviral medications, calamine lotion for itch relief, and fever management
Prevention includes the varicella vaccine
Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis, bacterial skin infections, and rarely, death

Also known as glandular fever, kissing disease, mono, and EBV (Epstein Barr virus)
Transmitted through saliva
Incubation period is 4 to 6 weeks
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, headache, rash, and enlarged spleen
Treatment focuses on symptom management and rest
Prevention includes avoiding contact with infected individuals
Complications can include hepatitis, splenic rupture, and neurological problems

Also known as mumps
Transmitted through respiratory droplets
Incubation period is 12 to 25 days
Symptoms include swollen salivary glands, fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and loss of appetite
Prevention includes the MMR vaccine
Complications can include orchitis (inflammation of the testicles), meningitis, encephalitis, and deafness

Also known as hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)
Transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, respiratory droplets, and fecal-oral route
Incubation period is 3 to 6 days
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, painful blisters in the mouth, hands, and feet
Treatment focuses on symptom management
Prevention includes hand hygiene and avoiding contact with infected individuals

Also known as Rubeola, English measles, and red measles
Transmitted through respiratory droplets
Incubation period is 7 to 14 days
Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, Koplik's spots, and characteristic rash
There is no specific treatment available

Also known as German measles
Transmitted through respiratory droplets, and possibly through the placenta
Incubation period is 14 to 21 days
Symptoms include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, headache, sore throat, and joint pain
Treatment includes symptomatic relief
Prevention includes the MMR vaccine
Complications can include encephalitis, arthritis, miscarriage, and birth defects

Transmitted through respiratory droplets and direct contact
Incubation period is 4 to 6 days
Symptoms include runny nose, cough, fever, wheezing, and difficulty breathing
Treatment focuses on symptom management, including oxygen therapy and breathing treatments
Prevention includes frequent hand washing and avoiding contact with infected individuals
Long-term complications include bronchiolitis, recurrent wheezing, and asthma

Also known as scalatina
Transmitted through respiratory droplets, often by a person with strep throat
Incubation period is 2 to 5 days
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, white patches on the tonsils, strawberry tongue, and characteristic red rash
Treatment includes antibiotics
Prevention includes hand hygiene and good cough etiquette
Complications include complications can include otitis media, rheumatic fever, and glomerulonephritis

Also known as pertussis
Transmitted through respiratory droplets
Incubation period is 7 to 14 days
Symptoms include runny nose, fever, mild cough, and severe coughing bouts that can cause a “whooping” sound
Treatment includes antibiotics and supportive care
Prevention includes the pertussis vaccine
Complications can include pneumonia, seizures, apnea, and brain damage

Also known as tinea, dermatomycosis, and ringworm
Transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, animals, or objects
Types include tinea corporis (body), tinea pedis (foot), tinea cruris (groin), tinea capitis (scalp), and tinea unguium (nail)
Symptoms include itchy, red, scaly patches with a characteristic ring shape
Treatment involves antifungal medications and topical creams
Prevention includes avoiding contact with infected individuals and maintaining good hygiene

Causes include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
Transmitted through respiratory droplets, direct contact, and contaminated food or water
Types include bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic
Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and confusion
Treatment depends on the cause; may include antibiotics, antiviral medications, or antifungals
Prevention includes vaccination, avoiding contact with infected individuals, and practicing good hygiene
Complications can include hearing loss, brain damage, and death

Caused by an infection that spreads to the bloodstream
Transmitted through contact with an infected individual or object
Most at risk: newborns, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems
Symptoms include fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, confusion, lethargy, low blood pressure, and rash
Treatment includes antibiotics and supportive care
Prevention includes good hygiene, handwashing, vaccinations, and prompt treatment of infections
Complications can include organ failure, shock, and death

BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccine is given at birth to protect against tuberculosis
Hepatitis B vaccine is given to children at risk for the infection
At 2 months, infants are given the first dose of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), polio, and rotavirus vaccines
At 3 months, children receive the second dose of DTaP, Hib, polio, and rotavirus vaccines.
At 4 months, children receive the third dose of DTaP, Hib, polio, and rotavirus vaccines
At 12 months, children receive the second dose of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, MenC (meningitis C), pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and Hib vaccine
Children and adults are recommended to receive the influenza vaccine annually
Pre-school children are given the second dose of MMR at 3 years and 4 months
12 to 13 year olds receive the HPV vaccine
At age 14, teens receive a booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) and MenACWY(Menigitis A C W and Y) vaccine, including the booster dose of MMR vaccine