Recording-2025-03-17T23:31:57.159Z

Common Childhood Infections and Conditions

Lice

• Treatment Considerations

  • The entire family usually requires treatment when a child is infected.

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (Cold Sores)

• Triggers

  • Stress and sound exposure can provoke outbreaks in children.

• Management

  • Ice blister to promote healing.

  • Topical ointments may be prescribed for pain relief.

  • No cure exists; prevention is key, especially for children with parents who are carriers.

  • Parents should avoid close contact during outbreaks (e.g., kissing).

Impetigo

• Characteristics

  • Highly contagious bacterial skin infection.

• Precautions

  • Avoid scratching affected areas.

  • Do not share personal items (utensils, towels, bedding).

  • Avoid bathing with siblings.

• Treatment

  • Antibiotics prescribed to eliminate infection.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

• Overview

  • Bacterial infection of the eye, very contagious.

• Treatment

  • Warm compresses to alleviate discomfort (e.g., warm washcloth).

  • Antibiotic ointment is also prescribed.

• Precautions

  • Avoid scratching the infected area.

Pinworms

• Description

  • Parasitic worms residing in intestines/rectum; spread via egg ingestion or contact with contaminated surfaces.

• Prevention

  • Good hygiene practices; wash hands frequently.

• Treatment

  • Antiparasitic medication prescribed, generally to the whole family.

Ringworm

• Overview

  • Contagious fungal infection affecting skin, scalp, groin, feet, hands.

• Treatment

  • Oral or topical antifungal medications.

Mites (Scabies)

• Characteristics

  • Mites burrow under the skin and spread from person to person.

Scarlet Fever

• Symptoms

  • Red rash that begins as patches, develops into tiny bumps.

• Treatment

  • Antibiotics are required to prevent complications like kidney disease.

Strep Throat

• Transmission

  • Spread through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.

• Symptoms

  • Severe throat pain, fever.

• Management

  • Antibiotics prescribed, along with hand hygiene education for prevention.

Less Common Diseases

HIV

• Transmission

  • Primarily from mother to infant during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

• Description

  • An autoimmune disease affecting joints in children aged 16 and below.

• Treatment

  • DMARDs (Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs) to slow progression.

ADHD and Learning Disabilities

• Characteristics

  • Often misunderstood and misdiagnosed in children.

• Management

  • Treatment involves medications to alleviate symptoms.

Cerebral Palsy

• Characteristics

  • A neurological disorder due to brain damage, affecting muscle control.

  • Major cause of childhood disability.

• Management

  • Treatment includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with medications to reduce muscle spasms.

Congenital Heart Disease

• Causes

  • Results from heart malformation before birth (e.g., holes in heart wall, blood vessel issues).

• Treatment

  • Surgical intervention based on specific malformations.

Down Syndrome

• Characteristics

  • Caused by an extra chromosome, increased risk with maternal age.

Hepatitis B

• Transmission

  • Transmitted during pregnancy or childbirth.

• Prevention

  • Immunization is given to children with parental consent.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

• Effects

  • Major cause of lower respiratory infections in children during winter-spring.

• Management

  • Supportive care; hard to treat since it's viral.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

• Overview

  • Sudden death of an infant, mainly occurs between 2 to 4 months of age.

• Prevention Advice

  • Always place baby on their back for sleep.

Spina Bifida

• Overview

  • A defect in spinal development, occurring in early pregnancy.

• Prevention

  • Encourage folic acid intake in prenatal care.

• Treatment

  • Depends on severity; surgery may be necessary.

Gastroenteritis

• Overview

  • Inflammation of the stomach/intestines, often viral.

• Management

  • Rest, fluids, and medications for symptom relief (vomiting and diarrhea).

Other Important Considerations

Child Abuse/Neglect

• Signs

  • Look for physical injuries like bruising or burns; potential signs of abuse in provider's interactions.

• Mandatory Reporting

  • If suspected, report to supervising practitioners and local child protection agencies within 24 hours.

Eating Disorders

• Overview

  • Often emerge during adolescence due to pressures regarding body image.

• Types

  • Anorexia (restrictive eating) and Bulimia (binge eating followed by purging).

Mental Health

• Issues

  • Depression, substance abuse, and addiction can overlap in symptoms and are sometimes hard to identify.

Violence and its Effects

• Exposure

  • Children might become desensitized to violence due to exposure in media and their environment.