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How to avoid back to school illnesses
10/08/2015
Children regularly catch contagious illnesses, as most parents will testify. A healthy diet and enough sleep will boost your child’s immune
system but even then, in enclosed spaces such as schools and nurseries, it’s very difficult to avoid pesky viruses and infections. If you child
succumbs to whatever is doing the rounds, fortunately they'll only miss a couple of days of school (though some infections may require
longer absences) – they will also build up a lifelong immunity to common diseases.
As most childhood infections are relatively mild, they can be treated with bed rest in an airy, cool room and by drinking plenty of non-acidic
fluids. To relieve pain, administer child-appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen. Don’t give aspirin to children under the age of 16, as it’s been
linked to the rare but often fatal Reye's syndrome.
Keep an eye out for signs that your child may need more urgent medical attention – these include an inability to take fluids, not passing
urine, symptoms that appear to be worsening, and extreme drowsiness or seizures.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisations at Public Health England, explains: “Common illnesses for children include colds, coughs, sore
throats, diarrhoea and ear infections. It’s normal for a child to have eight or more colds a year. This is because there are hundreds of
different viruses and young children have no immunity to any of them as they've never had them before. Gradually they build up immunity
and get fewer infections."
In order to stop the spread of infection Dr Ramsay recommends handwashing as "one of the most important ways of controlling the spread
of infections, especially those that cause diarrhoea and vomiting, and respiratory disease. Coughing and sneezing easily spread infections.
Children and adults should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue. Wash hands after using or disposing of tissues."
Find out here which illnesses your child is most likely to catch, how to treat them, and how long you can expect the recovery time to be.
Chickenpox
A common illness that most children under 10 will catch at some point, chickenpox is generally mild but very infectious. Chickenpox is
prevalent in winter and spring, peaking between March-May.
Symptoms
The classic sign of this virus is a spotty red rash that appears in clusters. These spots then develop itchy blisters. Although the spots can
appear anywhere on the body, they’re normally found on the face and scalp, behind the ears, chest, arms and legs. Often – though not
always – children display flu-like symptoms before spots appear, such as a fever, headache, aching muscles and a loss of appetite.
Causes
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which can be passed on via miniscule droplets released when a person coughs or
sneezes, or from contamination from the blisters, which pop easily. Expect symptoms to show around two weeks after exposure, though it
can be as little as a one week or as much as three.
There’s some dispute as to whether it’s possible to catch chickenpox more than once. The general consensus is that it’s unlikely so if a child
catches it again it was probably misdiagnosed the first time round.
Prevention
As it’s so infectious, children should avoid anyone who has chickenpox. The NHS website states that approximately 90% of people who
haven’t had the virus will catch it if they have close physical contact with an infected person, or are in the same room as them for just 15
minutes. As shingles is caused by the same virus, avoid people with this condition, too. At home, disinfect toys and other objects your child
comes in to contact with, and wash clothes and bedding regularly. There is a vaccine available which, whilst effective, is not completely
foolproof.
Treatment
Chickenpox is quite easy to diagnose though it can be confused with other skin conditions such as scabies. Although there’s no cure, the
virus usually clears up without intervention, though if your child develops scarlet fever at the same time this will need to be treated with
antibiotics. The best way to treat symptoms is with rest, plenty of fluids, and child-appropriate ibuprofen or paracetamol. Ease itching with
cooling gels, calamine lotion or antihistamines. If you can, persuade your child to wear gloves at night and keep their nails short to prevent
scratching.
Recovery time
Children will need to stay at home until all the blisters have burst and crusted over – this usually takes 5-7 days. In that time anyone with the
virus should avoid vulnerable people such as pregnant women and babies. If you’re about to fly with your child, check with the airline first as
some carriers don’t allow people with chickenpox onboard. If the blisters become infected, or your child doesn’t seem to be getting better,
see your GP.
Common cold/flu
They’re not called common for nothing – adults get an average of 2-4 colds a year, whilst kids can catch as many as a dozen! Colds tend to
be more rampant in winter, for reasons as yet unknown.
Symptoms
A cold usually starts with a tickly or sore throat, followed by sneezing, coughing and a blocked or runny nose. Colds are unpleasant but don’t
usually prevent people from day-to-day activities. However, if your child develops these symptoms alongside a bad headache, aching
muscles and a fever it’s more likely to be flu or an infection, both of which require closer attention.
Causes
Colds are mild viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the nose, sinuses and larynx.
Prevention
It’s difficult to avoid getting a cold, as there are so many different viruses that cause one. Avoiding people with colds can help a little but most
people are contagious before they get ill, then for around a fortnight with symptoms. Teaching your child to sneeze and cough into tissues
then throw them away and wash their hands will help prevent them spreading the infection. If you or another family member has a cold avoid
sharing crockery, cutlery, towels and toys.
Treatment
A cold can’t be cured, but is unthreatening enough to be treated at home with child-appropriate painkillers, decongestants, plenty of fluids
and rest. Using a vaporiser in your child’s bedroom humidifies the air and can help them sleep. If your child doesn’t seem to be getting better
after a few days or develops chest, ear, sinus or throat pain take them to a doctor. Your child may be treated with antibiotics, which are now
only offered to children who have developed a bacterial infection. If your child is struggling to breathe, treat it as a medical emergency.
Recovery time
Children with a cold are usually well enough to attend school and most educational authorities wouldn’t expect parents to keep their child
away. The exception to this is if your child is displaying flu symptoms such as a fever or shivers, or develops secondary problems such as an
ear or chest infection, or tonsillitis.
Hand, foot & mouth disease
Hand, foot & mouth disease is a mild virus that tends to affect younger children under 10. There is a pattern to the symptoms: fever, followed
by mouth ulcers, followed by a spots on the hands and feet.
Symptoms
The main symptoms are a non-itchy rash of small red spots with a darker centre that appear on the hands and feet (including the palms and
soles). Spots may also show up on the knees, elbows and bottom. The illness usually starts with children feeling off-colour, they may get a
fever, cough or sore throat, and tummy ache. After 1-2 days mouth ulcers occur (expect up to 10) alongside the rash.
Causes
A group of viruses are responsible for this disease: these include the coxsackievirus A6, A10, A16, and the enterovirus71, which is the most
severe and can cause further problems.
Prevention
Hand, foot & mouth disease is very contagious and children with the illness should practise good hygiene to prevent passing it on to others.
Treatment
As it’s a virus, hand, foot & mouth disease can’t be treated with antibiotics. Antiviral medicine doesn’t really help either. Give your child lots of
fluids, avoiding acidic drinks such as orange juice, which will make ulcers sting, and prepare soft foods that are easy to eat and swallow.
Child-appropriate liquid painkillers such as ibuprofen will ease symptoms. Topical mouth gels such as Bonjela can help ease the pain of
mouth ulcers, as can benzydamine mouth spray, which is suitable for children over the age of five.
Recovery time
This depends on the child but, on average, it will take a couple of days for the initial symptoms to pass, and a week to 10 days for the ulcers
and rash to heal. Unlike chickenpox, it’s safe for kids to go back to school with blisters, as long as they feel well, though some schools may
require the condition to have completely cleared up.
Head lice
The scourge of parents (and children) everywhere, head lice are miniscule insects that live in both dirty and clean hair. School children
between the ages of 4-11 are most likely to get them, probably because they are in close contact with each other.
Symptoms
An itchy scalp is the primary symptom of head lice. This is caused by an allergy to the lice. Not all children have a reaction, so often the only
way to know a child has head lice is to check their hair with a detection comb.
Causes
Female head lice attach eggs to human hairs, which hatch after 7-10 days. The empty eggs are called nits – these may remain in the hair
even after the lice have gone. Lice feed on blood by biting the scalp. After 10 days lice are fully grown and females are ready to lay eggs,
perpetuating the cycle.
Prevention
This is tricky because of the high re-infestation rate of head lice, so hair will need to be checked regularly even after treatment. Short, fine
hair is easier to treat than longer, curlier hair.
Treatment
Most of us will remember the 'nit nurses' that came to check our hair at school. These days, detection combing is the best way to find lice. A
fine-toothed comb is combed through wet hair to find and remove the insects. This method can be enough to get rid of lice though it’s
arguably more time-consuming than lotions or sprays, which are commonly used. Combs, lotions and sprays vary in efficiency – all can be
bought from a pharmacy.
Recovery time
The NHS website recommends that whatever treatment you choose check and repeat a week later to ensure no lice have been missed.
Head lice are annoying but not classed as a health hazard, so there’s no reason to keep your child off school.
Impetigo
Although it’s not usually serious, this unpleasant skin infection causes sores on the face and body. Children or people with a compromised
immune system are more likely to suffer. Impetigo is more common in warm, humid weather.
Symptoms
There are two types of impetigo: nun-bullous, which causes red sores around the mouth and nose that burst and form a yellow crust; and
bullous, which manifests as fluid-filled blisters on the body, arms and legs. These, too, burst and leave a yellow crust. Scarring is unusual.
Occasionally, the sores are accompanied with a fever and swollen glands.
Causes
Impetigo is cause by bacteria, namely staphylococcus aureus or streptococcus pyogenes. Bacteria can get into the skin through a cut or
bite, or finds its way through skin damaged by skin conditions such as eczema or scabies.
Prevention
Sores don’t appear until up to 10 days after being infected so people often pass impetigo on without realising. If your child is in close
proximity to someone with impetigo avoid letting them share towels, cutlery or toys, and limit physical contact.
Treatment
Impetigo tends to clear up on its own, but as it can take a week or more topical antibiotic cream or antibiotics are usually prescribed.
Recovery time
Children can return to school a couple of days after antibiotic treatment has started, or when the sores stop blistering and crusting.
Measles
Measles is one of the more serious childhood illnesses to catch as it can, on occasion, lead to complications. It’s become less common in
the UK because of the MMR vaccine (which is around 97% effective if both doses are administered), but can still be caught.
Symptoms
Reddish-brown spots are the most obvious symptom of measles, though these don’t tend to appear until up to four days after the first
symptoms show. These start small then get bigger, often joining up. Initial symptoms include spots in the mouth and throat, sore eyes and
sensitivity to light, and a high temperature. Your child will also lack energy and go off their food.
Causes
Measles belongs to the paramyxoviridae family of viruses and anyone can catch it (even those who have been vaccinated, though this is
unusual). It’s most common in children under four years old. It’s rare to catch measles more than once. Symptoms appear around 10 days
after infection.
Prevention
The best way to prevent your child from getting measles is by having them vaccinated. Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisations at Public
Health England explains: “Children are exposed to a wide range of bacteria and viruses every day. We encourage parents to make sure their
children are up-to-date with their vaccinations according to the national guidelines to protect them from the most serious infections."
The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, is usually given to children when they're around a year old, followed
by a booster before they start school. It’s possible to pay for single measles and rubella vaccinations, though the single mumps vaccine isn’t
currently available.
Treatment
Although it’s worth seeing the doctor to confirm measles, the illness can be relieved at home with child-appropriate painkillers, plenty of
fluids, and bed rest in a low-lit room to ease sore eyes. Because it’s a virus there’s no other treatment; the immune system usually fights off
measles within a week, though complications can arise in vulnerable children (those with a poor diet, or a weakened immune system), and
they may need medicine or hospitalisation.
Recovery time
Children with measles should be kept off school and away from other children and pregnant women for at least four days from when the rash
appears. It’s important to keep a look out for complications if your child has measles. Symptoms of more serious illness include coughing up
blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion and fits.
Mumps
Once a common childhood illness, mumps has become less widespread as a result of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles,
mumps and rubella.
Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of this viral infection is sore swellings under the ears (the parotid glands). As these glands are on each side of
the face, people with mumps are often described as hamster-like. Other symptoms to watch out for are joint pain, a high temperature, and a
headache.
Causes
Mumps belongs to the paramyxoviruses group of viruses. These viruses are most often found in children. The virus reproduces in the saliva-
producing glands (parotid glands), causing them to swell and hurt. Sometimes, the virus gets into the cerebrospinal fluid and travels to the
testicle or ovaries, the brain, or the pancreas.
Prevention
According to the NHS website, since the MMR vaccine scheme began in 1988 cases of mumps have dropped dramatically. MMR is the best
way to prevent the illness; if your child isn’t vaccinated and there are cases of mumps in your area, avoid people with the illness. Mumps is
spread like colds, through tiny droplets of saliva that can breathed in by others, or by touching infected objects such as door handles. People
with mumps are contagious for a couple of days before the onset of symptoms and whilst they have symptoms.
Treatment
As with measles, it’s advisable to take your child to the doctor if you suspect mumps. Mumps itself is not usually serious, but symptoms
mimic other conditions such as glandular fever. Treat the illness with bed rest, child-appropriate painkillers and a warm compress on the sore
glands. Give your child lots of fluids to prevent dehydration (avoiding anything acidic which can inflame parotid glands) and easy-to-eat soft
food.
Mumps can have further complications in teenage boys – the infection can result in orchitis (painful, swollen testicles). However, contrary to
popular belief this rarely renders males infertile. Some post-pubescent girls can get oophoritis (swollen ovaries) as a complication of mumps,
while both sexes are more susceptible to temporary hearing loss, viral meningitis and acute pancreatitis. These illnesses will need further
treatment but aren’t usually dangerous.
Recovery time
If your child gets mumps they will need to be kept off school for 5-7 days. If you have other children in your household, your sick child should
bin tissues straight after use, avoid sharing toys, crockery and utensils, and wash their hands regularly to prevent infecting others.
Norovirus
The most common stomach bug in Britain, norovirus is otherwise known as the winter vomiting bug.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of norovirus are vomiting and watery diarrhoea. It can also cause fever, stomach cramps, aching and headache. These
symptoms usually start within a day or so of being infected, though they can come on sooner. Your child will be contagious at this point, and
for a couple of days after their symptoms have gone.
Causes
There are more than two-dozen strains of noroviruses and it’s thought that up to 1 million people in the UK alone fall prey to this stomach
bug every year.
Prevention
If norovirus is going round, it’s difficult to avoid it. If your child has it they should practise good hygiene (washing hands regularly, and not
sharing items). Parents can disinfect surfaces their child has touched, wash their bedding and recently-worn clothes on a hot wash, and
regularly clean the toilet they’re using. Anyone with norovirus should avoid others for two days after the symptoms (sickness and diarrhoea)
have abated and not visit doctors’ surgeries or hospitals in order to prevent passing it on to people who are already sick. Not eating raw or
just-cooked shellfish is also advisable, as uncooked shellfish can carry the virus.
Treatment
Norovirus will usually work its way out of your child’s system in a day or two. They won’t need to see a doctor unless you suspect they are
becoming dehydrated (signs include dizziness, dark urine and dry mouth). The most important treatment is plenty of fluids sipped regularly.
Don’t offer fizzy or acidic drinks and encourage your child to drink even if they’re sick afterwards. Rehydration powders are useful and can
be bought at a pharmacy – make sure you buy ones that are suitable for kids.
Recovery time
Your child needs to have stopped vomiting or passing diarrhoea for at least two days before they attend school again. They shouldn’t go into
a swimming pool for two weeks after symptoms have disappeared.
Ringworm
Ringworm doesn’t have anything to do with worms. It’s a fungal infection that creates ring-like rashes on the skin.
Symptoms
The main symptom of ringworm is a red or silvery ring-like rash that can become itchy or sore. The skin inside the rash ring is unaffected.
Causes
Tinea fungal infections are caused by dermatophytes fungi, which live off keratin, a type of tissue found in parts of the body. There are
different types of tinea fungal infection, of which ringworm is one. Ringworm affect the body, whilst other tinea appear specifically on the
nails, feet (athlete’s foot), groin or scalp. Fungi spores thrive in warm, moist places and are usually spread from person to person, animal to
human, or by touching things where the spores have settled.
Prevention
If someone has ringworm in your household avoid letting them share items such as clothing, bedding, towels and toys. Where possible,
children should be prevented from scratching ringworm as this can spread the infection.
Treatment
Effective antifungal creams, sprays and shampoos can be bought at a pharmacy. If the infection doesn’t clear up, take your child to the
doctor for a check-up.
Recovery time
Kids don’t need to miss school if they have ringworm, though they should have it treated as soon as it’s diagnosed. Parents should
encourage good personal hygiene to prevent their child from passing it on.
Scabies
Caused by minute mites, scabies is a contagious skin condition known for being very itchy.
Symptoms
Scabies is renowned for creating an intense itch, which is worse at night. There will also be a rash of miniscule red spots or silvery lines
where the mites have burrowed into the skin. In children, burrow marks usually appear on the head, neck, hands and feet. Sometimes these
marks turn into blisters.
Causes
The mites burrow into the epidermis – the top layer of skin. They prefer warm places such as skin folds, between the fingers, and under
jewellery. It can take up to two months for symptoms to show after being infected.
Prevention
Prolonged contact is needed to pass scabies on, such as holding hands with an infected person. In the UK, scabies outbreaks tend to occur
more in winter when people keep warm indoors and are in closer contact.
Treatment
Scabies is treated by applying creams or lotions to cool skin. If your child has scabies, it’s advised that the whole household is treated,
regardless of whether others are showing symptoms. If the itching is keeping your child awake, antihistamines can be given.
Recovery time
Schools and nurseries are at risk of scabies outbreaks because children are in close proximity to each other. If your child catches scabies
they can return to school immediately after treatment.
Scarlet fever
Whilst not as common as it once was, Public Health England has released figures to show that there have been more outbreaks of scarlet
fever in the past year. Children under the age of 10 are most likely to catch it.
Symptoms
Scarlet fever is distinguished by a reddish rash, which begins as blotches on the torso that turn into a rash. This looks like sunburn and feels
rough to touch; if you press a glass against it, it will turn white. The rash usually spreads to the groin, thighs and neck but rarely reaches the
face. Other symptoms include a headache, sore throat, swollen glands, flushed face, and high temperature – these usually precede the rash
by 1-2 days.
Causes
Scarlett fever is a bacterial infection caused by streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, which is found on the skin and in the throat.
Prevention
Highly contagious, this illness is passed on by sharing contaminated objects, inhaling infected droplets, or touching a person with a
streptococcal skin infection, such as impetigo. Avoiding people with scarlet fever helps, though it’s also possible to catch it from a well
person carrying the bacteria.
Treatment
Catching scarlet fever early is advisable, so if you suspect your child has the illness see your doctor, who will prescribe antibiotics such as
penicillin. Scarlet fever can clear up on its own but your child will be contagious for longer if they’re not treated, and there’s a raised risk of
complications.
Recovery time
If they’re well enough, your child can usually return to school a couple of days after starting antibiotics, though the rash can take more than a
week to clear up and the skin may peel for a few weeks after that.
Slapped cheek syndrome
This mild viral illness tends to be seen in children between the ages of six and 10 and is most prevalent towards the end of winter and the
beginning of spring.
Symptoms
As the name suggests, the primary symptom is a red rash on your child’s cheeks. This rash is not caused by the illness but by the body’s
immune response to it. Conversely, the rash is not the first symptom of this virus – instead, look out for a moderate fever, sore throat,
headache, lethargy, joint pain and itchy skin that lasts for a few days. This is the most contagious stage, although in about a quarter of cases
these symptoms don’t appear at all. About a week later the distinctive bright red rash appears on both cheeks, followed 2-4 days later by a
lighter, itchier raised rash on the body. The rash will disappear after a few days but can reappear for weeks afterwards, especially if your
child is hot or upset.
Causes
Parvovirus B19 is responsible for causing slapped cheek syndrome. It’s passed on in the same way as colds or flu. After catching this virus
once, most people develop an immunity to it. It’s not a serious illness though it's more dangerous for children with blood or bone marrow
conditions.
Prevention
Slapped cheek syndrome is a tricky illness to avoid because the red rash appears only after the child isn’t infectious anymore. However,
most children who catch it get it mildly.
Treatment
Like all mild viruses, there is little treatment except for child-appropriate painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, lots of bed rest, and
fluids to prevent dehydration. Antihistamines and moisturisers such as E45 can help soothe the skin.
Recovery time
Conversely, once the rash appears your child is not infectious anymore. Your child is at their most infectious when they display symptoms
that appear before the rash (moderate fever, sore throat, headache, lethargy, joint pain and itchy skin). Lasting for a few days, these earlier
symptoms are often mild enough for your child to continue going to school, or are attributed to other illnesses.
Tonsillitis
A well-known illness in children, tonsillitis occurs when your child’s tonsils (small glands inside the throat) become inflamed. It’s usually
caused by a virus, but is occasionally brought on by a bacterial infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms – which last around four days – include a very sore throat, redness at the back of the throat, a high fever, coughing and
headache. If there are spots on the tonsils, swollen glands, and no cough it’s more likely to be a bacterial infection.
Causes
There are a number of different viruses that can cause tonsillitis, including ones that cause colds, the flu, and hand, foot & mouth disease.
Bacterial tonsillitis is usually – though not always – caused by group A streptococcus bacteria.
Prevention
Your child can’t catch tonsillitis from another person but they can catch the infections that cause the illness. These infections are picked up in
the same way as your child would pick up a cold – by breathing in infected droplets or touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
Treatment
As with all viruses, this illness works its way out of the system. Symptoms can be managed with rest, lots of fluids, child-appropriate
painkillers, oral sprays to soothe the throat, or by gargling with salty water.
Doctors increasingly prefer to only prescribe antibiotics for more serious illnesses (to avoid antibiotic resistance), so it’s likely your child will
only be offered medication if they have a severe or long-lasting case of tonsillitis. Once a common operation for children, tonsillectomies are
less usual now and are only offered if your child gets recurring tonsillitis over a period of time.
Recovery time
Tonsillitis isn’t serious and your child will only need to see the doctor if their symptoms show no sign of abating after four days, or if they can’t
eat or drink. Most symptoms last about a week but your child can go back to school as soon as they’re feeling better.
More on MSN Health: The worst places for picking up germs
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