Communicable Disease

Key components include exposure history, prodromal symptoms, fever or rash, immunization status (most effective primary method), past infection history, and risk factors.

  • handwashing is the most important prevention intervention to reduce transmission

Chicken Pox (Varicella) — Varicella-zoster virus

prodromal phase: slight fever, malaise

itchy vesicular rash starting as macules → vesicles → crusts;

  • airborne + contact precautions; contagious before rash until crusted.

teaching

Avoid scratching to prevent secondary infection; supportive care only.

Fifth disease (Erythema infectiosum) — Human herpesvirus type 6

"Slapped cheek" rash, mild URI symptoms, fever; supportive care; risk for fetal hydrops in pregnancy.

Roseola

High fever 3-7 days followed by rash AFTER fever breaks; occurs in children <2 years.

Measles (Rubeola)—viral

High fever, cough, coryza( respiratory infection/cold), conjunctivitis, Koplik spots (small little white spots on cheeks); rash starts at face and spreads downward.

precautions: Airborne precautions until day 5 of rash.

complication: Pneumonia

prevention: MMR vaccination

Treatment: Antibiotics, Vitamin A, bed rest, and support

Rubella (German measles)—Rubella virus

Mild illness: low fever, sore throat, rash; droplet precautions; dangerous in pregnancy.

Scarlet fever—Group A strep

Prodromal stage: Abrupt high fever, halitosis (bad breath)

high fever, Enanthema (exudative tonsils), strawberry tongue, Exanthema (sandpaper rash).

treatment: Penicillin

precautions: Droplet until 24 hrs after antibiotics.

Pertussis (Whooping cough)- Bordetella pertussis

URI stage → severe coughing fits with "whoop."

complications: Cyanosis may occur during coughing episodes.

nursing care: Humidification, suctioning, hydration, careful feeding.

Precautions: Droplet

COVID-19 in children

Usually mild or asymptomatic; can range to severe.

precautions: Airborne + droplet + contact with full PPE.

Influenza— virus

Abrupt fever, malaise, URI symptoms; droplet precautions.

Pneumococcal disease— Streptococcal pneumococci

Common in <2 years;

causes pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis;

tx. treated with antibiotics.

Non Vaccine Communicable Diseases

Conjunctivitis

Contact precautions, clean eye, give eye meds, prevent spread.

Stomatitis (general)

Painful oral inflammation; goal is pain relief ( NSAIDs/Topical anesthetics) and prevention of spread.

Aphthous stomatitis

Canker sore; small white ulcer with red border; no systemic illness; heals in 4-12 days.

Cold Sore/Fever Blister—Herpetic gingivostomatitis (HSV-1)

fever, painful vesicles in mouth; Recurrent, lasts 5-14 days; Stress, trauma, excessive sunlight exposure

nsg considerations: avoid acidic foods; use pain control and hygiene.

Intestinal parasites

Giardiasis— Protozoan Giardia intestinalis

most frequent infection worldwide

Persistent diarrhea, foul stools, abdominal cramps, fatigue; from contaminated water/food.

dx. Stool sample or ELISA test.

tx. Metronidazole (Flagyl) or Tindamax.

prevention: Hand hygiene and proper sanitation (especially diaper changes).

complication: Chronic malnutrition if untreated.

Enterobiasis (Pinworms)— Enterobius vermicularis

Intense anal itching

dx. Tape test

tx. Pyrantel pamoate or albendazole, repeat in 2 weeks.

teaching: Treat entire family and prevent reinfection.

Bacterial skin infections

Staph/strep (MRSA rising); includes impetigo, cellulitis; treated with antibiotics and hygiene. diluted bleach baths

Fungal skin infections— dermatophystoses

Tinea or candida; spread by contact; treated with antifungals.

dx. Microscopic exam

Pediculosis capitis (head lice)

Intense scalp itching, nits on hair shaft; treat with permethrin and remove nits; treat family.