Childhood Illnesses Flashcards
What is measles (rubeola)?
Caused by RNA virus
14 days incubation period
Clear prodrome with symptoms
Initially a macula rash - later rash becomes popular with coalescence
Complications - encephalitis, otitis media and bronchopneumonia. It may cause permanent brain damage.
What is fever/pyrexia in children?
Elevation of body temperature above normal level.
Hyperpyrexia is an excessive elevation of body temperature above normal. May be due to illness or other causes.
What are koplik’s spots?
They are small white spots in the mouth that occur with measles.
What is rubella (German measles)?
Rubella virus is not the same as measles.
Incubation period is 14-21 days.
Prodromal symptoms vary with age.
Initial rash is at 4 days - pink macules (area of skin discolouration)
Later rash spreads and some convergence.
Can cause foetal damage in early pregnancy.
It follows swollen lymph glands.
What is chicken pox?
Caused by varicella zoster virus (herpes virus family)
Prodrome for 1-2days
Rash starts as erythematous lesions then becomes vesicular - finally pustular.
Can affect oral mucosa.
It is contagious from the prodrome to the disappearance of the rash.
Dangerous in pregnancy and in immunodeficiency disorders
Calamine for rash (antipruritic) and aciclovir orally active antiviral if serious.
What is shingles?
Occurs in individuals who have already had chicken pox. Can be transmitted as chicken pox and not shingles.
Small blisters on red swollen skin - smaller area and chicken pox. Can be very painful and serious if it affects the ear (corneal scarring and damage).
The virus that causes chicken pox remain dormant after infection in nerve roots - re-emergence is unpredictable but can be due to immunodeficiency. Patients on long term steroids carry a warning card.
What is roseola infantum (3 day fever)?
Caused by human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6)
Affects infants from under six months to 3 years.
Fever j. Prodrome - hyperpyrexia I’m symptomatic phase (May be 40 degrees Celsius)
Rash is red maculopapular on body. Temperature drops when the rash appears. Convulsions may be a complication. Usually rapidly self limiting but highly infective in prodrome and rash phase.
What is mumps?
Caused by myxo virus.
Transmitted in fluid drops.
Mainly affects parotid salivary glands - swollen parotid salivary gland.
Can affect brain, testes (orchitis), ovaries and pancreas.
Serious cases - encephalitis, deafness and sterility in males.
Resolves in around 10 days. There is no treatment for mumps but it can be prevented by vaccination.
What is meningitis?
Viral meningitis is considered to be benign but is a common complication of virus infections with no specific treatment.
Bacterial meningitis have three main causes:
Haemophilus influenza type b
Meningococcus
Pneumococcus
Symptoms:
Headache and raised temperature (fever)
Vomiting
Serious symptoms: Neck and back stiffness Oversensitivity to light (photophobia) Severe headache Drowsiness
In meningococcal meningitis, diarrhoea and/or rash may occur - red non-blanching dabs and rash does not change colour. Apply tumbler (drinking glass) with pressure - if u can see spots through the glass seek medical advice.
What is infant colic?
Flushed face Long duration of distress Inconsolable screaming/crying Draws up knees and legs Hands in fists Is there a regular time?
Symptoms of infant colic
Spasmodic contraction of the smooth muscle.
Pain
Age - 5 to 6 weeks
Often worse in evenings - some babies are worse after feeding and some can be comforted by feed.
Passing wind or bowel movement can lessen distress.
Causes are unknown but symptoms resolve by 5 months.
Reflux in children
Not a symptom of colic
Oesophageal sphincter not fully developed
Periods of crying
Posseting/regurgitation
Worrying symptoms - weight loss, failure to thrive and other illness.
Teething
First tooth usually erupts age 6-9months.
Full complement or milk teeth by age 2 and half years old.
Teething causes a fever.
Doesn’t cause dribbling (causes by salivary glands functioning at 2-3months).
Doesn’t cause sleepless nights (nocturnal awakening occurs around 8 months - object permanence)
Doesn’t cause diarrhoea and cold symptoms - they are caused by decreasing maternal antibodies.
Treatment for teething
Paracetamol/ibuprofen
Teething gels - avoid salicylate containing gels (Reyes syndrome)
Non-pharmacological advice for teething
Teething rings - can cool and store in fridge
A raw carrot to chew - beware of choking
Extra cool water
Protect from dribble rash
Clean teeth before going to pharmacy and go for dental check up
