red or pale face, blue lips loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea fever runny nose, cough, sore...
TRANSCRIPT
Childhood Illnesses &
Immunizations
Red or pale face, blue lipsLoss of appetite, vomiting, diarrheaFeverRunny nose, cough, sore throatUnusual or irritable behaviorLethargic, uninterestedRashDifficulty Breathing
Symptoms of Illness
Fever is a raise in body temperature98.6 F—Normal101 F—Considered a fever105 F or higher—See a doctor
Take temperature in armpit, rectally, or with ear or forehead swipe thermometer
Fever is the body’s way of fighting infectionNot necessary to reduce a mild fever
Ways of treating high feversDress lightly or bathe in cool waterTylenol or Ibuprofen—NO ASPIRIN FOR INFANTS!Lots of clear fluids
Fever
Common Illnesses that Can Reoccur
Immune system reaction to rhinovirus infiltrating the lining of the nose and throat
Symptoms:Tickle in the throat or sore throatRunny/stuffy noseCoughHeadacheSometimes a mild fever and loss of appetite
Treatments:Tylenol or Ibuprofen to ease discomfortLots of clear fluidsTime
Common Cold
Fluid builds up in inner ear (behind eardrum), causing infection
Symptoms:Ear pain (child tugging on ear)Cold-like symptomsLoss of hearing
Treatments:AntibioticsEar tubes for ongoing infections
A small hole is made in eardrum, a “tube” is placed in hole to drain fluid
Ear Infections
Inflammation/infection of the white of the eye caused by allergies, viruses, or bacteria
Highly contagiousSymptoms:
Swollen red eyeDrainage or extra tearingItching or burningSensitivity to light
Treatments:Medicated eye drops
Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)
Bacterial infection in the throat and on the tonsils
Highly contagiousSymptoms:
Sudden, severe sore throatFever over 101 FSwollen tonsils or lymph nodesWhite or yellow spots at back of
a bright red throatTreatments:
Antibiotics
Strep Throat
Serious Illnessesthat Usually Do
Not Reoccur
Itchy rash covering the bodyHighly contagiousSymptoms:
Red, itchy skin rash which turns into blistersSometimes headache, abdominal pain, or mild
feverTreatments:
Topical ointmentsCool bath or oatmeal bathTylenol or Ibuprofen for
discomfort
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Infection of the skin and lymph nodesVery dangerous for pregnant women—birth
defectsSymptoms:
Mild feverSwollen, sore lymph nodesRash which starts on face
and spreads to rest of bodyTreatments:
Lots of clear fluidsTylenol or Ibuprofen for
discomfort
Rubella (German Measles)
Infection of the respiratory systemLife-threatening, infants under 6-months at
high riskSymptoms:
Cold-like symptomsDry, irritating cough that
develops into coughing spells“Whooping” soundChild may turn red or purple
Treatments:AntibioticsSometimes hospitalization, IV fluids, and
suctioning of respiratory secretions
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
Swollen salivary glandsCan lead to swelling/inflammation of the
brain and other organs or meningitisSymptoms:
High feverHeadacheLarge, swollen cheek and jaw area
Treatments:Tylenol or Ibuprofen for discomfortTime
Mumps
Devastating virus that attacks the nervous system
Can cause respiratory difficulty, paralysis of arms and legs, and death
Has been virtually eliminated in the US, thanks to vaccine
Treatments:Iron lung (some for a few weeks,
some for life)Some patients paralyzed for life
Polio
All of these serious illnesses and many others
can be prevented with proper immunization
Immunization Schedule
Immunizations begin at birth and follow a schedule for the next few years
Children must be up-to-date with immunizations to register for schoolExemptions for medical or non-medical reasons
Some immunizations require boosters later in childhood
How Vaccines WorkAntigens attack red blood cells
to make a person sickThe body produces Antibodies
specifically designed to fight each Antigen
Vaccines introduce a dead or weakened Antigen into the body
They body produces the correct Antibody for that illness
The body has that Antibody “pattern” available should the real Antigens attack
For
The Immunization Debate
AgainstMany children are unvaccinated, because their parents are against it
www.kidshealth.orghttp://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id
=10212
Sources