Learn about five common springtime infectious diseases in children

Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Highly contagious, it can spread rapidly through respiratory droplets or -contaminated items. It can be divided into influenza A, B and C. The main symptoms of children infected with influenza are fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue and a cough. It is infectious for 1 to 7 days after onset, and the viral infectivity is strongest in the initial 2 to 3 days. Newborns may also be infected with influenza.

 

The common cold is different from influenza.

 

Common cold: Its symptoms are usually mild, including sneezing, runny nose, dry and painful throat, low fever, which can naturally subside or disappear in 3-5 days.

 

Influenza: It is often characterized by acute onset and high fever, with a body temperature of up to 39 ℃ to 40 ℃. It is often accompanied by chills, headaches, back pain, muscle and joint soreness, fatigue, sore throat and a cough. Some children can have gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloating. Uncomplicated influenza generally lasts for 3-4 days, but the dry cough and fatigue can last for 1-2 weeks. Compared to the common cold, influenza is more prone to complications, and a number of severe cases can lead to death.

 

Chickenpox is an acute infectious disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. Children under 14 years old are among the high-risk group of contracting chickenpox.

 

The patient can be infectious 1-2 days before the onset of chickenpox until the rash is dry and crusted. Once the chickenpox virus infects the body, it develops after an incubation period of about 2 weeks. Children may suffer from symptoms such as fever, headache, general discomfort and appetite loss, with a rash occurring within 24 hours of onset. 

 

The rash is distributed centripetally, concentrating the most around the torso, followed by head and face, and limbs. Skin lesions can result in small red maculopapules, herpes, scabbing and peeling, with no scars left after peeling.

 

Chickenpox generally does not cause serious complications, but some children may develop encephalitis in the later stages of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor infected children and seek appropriate treatment to relievesymptoms.

 

 

Mumps most commonly affects children of 5-15 years old, especially in winter and spring. It is transmitted through direct contact or the inhalation of droplets or saliva, and occurs 2-3 weeks after contact with the infected. 

 

The main manifestation of infected children is swelling and pain on one side of the face, which usually starts around the earlobe, then develops to the front, back and lower part of the face, with unclear edges. The skin on the face appears tense, shiny but not red, and feels firm and elastic on touch, with mild pain. Usually, swelling on one side of the parotid gland affects the other side in 1 to 4 days, which occurs in about 75 percent of cases. 

 

The swelling of the parotid gland reaches its peak in 3-5 days and gradually subsides in 7-10 days. Some patients may experience symptoms such as fever, chills and sore throat. In severe cases, complications may occur, such as viral encephalitis, orchitis, pancreatitis, oophoritis or myocarditis. 

 

Scarlet fever is an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by group A Streptococcus. Scarlet fever is more common in children over 3 years old, with those aged 5-15 being high-risk. It mainly spreads through respiratory droplets. The incubation period after infection is 1-7 days. Most infected children are characterized by the acute onset of the disease, chills and fever. In severe cases, their body temperature can rise to 39 ℃ to 40 ℃, accompanied by such symptoms as a sore throat, headache, appetite loss, nausea and vomiting.

 

They will develop a rash within 24 hours of onset, starting behind the ears, neck and upper chest, which can spread throughout the body within a day. A typical rash is a diffuse crimson papule on the basis of skin congestion, where the skin becomes white under pressure. The rash usually subsides within one week, with varying degrees of peeling starting from the first week to the second week, resulting in large areas of peeling.

 

Children with scarlet fever may also show some special signs:

 

1. Facial congestion, flushing, no rash, with a pale appearance around the mouth and nose tip.

2. Red and swollen tongue and nipples.

3. Rash appears in the creases of the underarm, elbow, and groin. A very small number of children can develop severe conditions, manifested as a high fever, convulsions, coma, and even shock, sometimes accompanied by complications such as myocarditis, pneumonia, nephritis and rheumatic fever.

 

 

Measles is a highly contagious acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the measles virus, which can infect most of the population. More than 90 percent of people who have not been vaccinated against measles will be infected after exposure to the measles virus.

 

Measles patients are the only source of infection, and the virus is mainly transmitted through droplets or direct contact with a patient's secretions. The measles virus has a latent period of 9-14 days after infecting the human body, and is infectious from 2-4 days before onset to 5 days after the appearance of the rash.

 

The initial symptoms of the patient are similar to those of flu, such as a fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, conjunctivitis, eyelid edema, photophobia and tearing. At this time, the rash has not yet appeared, meaning it is easily mistaken for influenza. Before the appearance of the rash, white or blue-white spots appear on the buccal mucosa of the patient's mouth, which are characteristic of measles. 

 

Once the rash appears, the spots quickly disappear. A typical rash first appears on the hairline, neck side, and behind the ear, then spreads to the face, neck, upper limbs and upper chest within 24 hours, and then down to the torso, lower limbs, and palms, where it forms a patch. The patient's body temperature begins to fall 3 to 5 days after the rash appears. If the patient continues to experience high temperatures, it could indicate complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis.

 

 

1. Families should regularly use air purifiers and ultraviolet disinfection, or ventilate all the rooms 2-3 times per day (in the morning, noon and evening periods). Opening windows for ventilation should last for 30-60 minutes each time. At the same time, family members should maintain a clean environment, washing clothes and cleaning communal spaces.

 

2. Try to avoid going to crowded and poorly ventilated public places. If it is necessary to go out, you should wear masks. Both regular disposable medical masks and N95 masks can be used.

 

3. Wash hands carefully with hand sanitizer before and after meals and after going out. Caregivers should also wash their hands before coming into contact with children, when changing diapers and after handling feces. When going out, you can carry a hand sanitizer containing 75 percent alcohol or a disposable towel with you for hand hygiene.

 

4. Develop good hygiene habits and avoid spitting. Personal items such as towels, toothbrushes, and tableware should be disinfected regularly.

 

5. Maintain good lifestyle habits and exercise regularly. Infants and young children can adopt passive limb exercises. Do not stay up late; rest regularly and ensure sufficient sleep.

 

6. Ensure sufficient nutrition intake, keep a balanced diet and ensure an appropriate intake of high protein foods, and fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Adolescents should not go on a diet.

 

7. Vaccination is the key method in preventing the occurrence of various infectious diseases.

 

8. If symptoms of these five infectious diseases appear, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.