Childhood Illnesses

 Diphtheria
Is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium corynebacterium diphtheriae. This disease primarily affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, although it may also affect the skin and lining tissues in the ear, eye and the genital areas. 
Is transmitted to close contacts via airborne respiratory droplets or by direct contact with nasopharyngeal secretions or skinlesions. It can be spread by objects contaminated by an infected person. 
Symptoms of repiratory diphtheria may include the following: Sore throat, Fever, Malaise, Hoarseness and Difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing. 
Antibiotics help eradicate the bacteria, thereby stopping toxin production, and they also help to prevent transmission of diphtheria to close contacts. Penicillin anderythromycin are the recommended antibiotics. 
The prevention of diphtheria is best achieved through universal immunization with diphtheria toxoid containing vaccines. Immunization for infants and children consists of five DTap vaccinations generally given at ages 2, 4, and 6 months, with the fourth dose being administered between 15 – 18 months, and the fifth dose at ages 4 – 6 years. At age 11 – 12years, children should receive a single Tdap vaccination if they have completed the recommended childhood vaccination schedule. Because immunity wanes over time, subsequent booster immunization is required every 10 years thereafter to maintain protective antibody levels 
 
Pertussis 
Pertussis, or whooping cough is caused by a bacterial infection of the trachea and lungs. It common name comes fromthe characterizing symptom-long coughing spells that often end in the person breathing in air and making a loud whooping noise. A highly contagious infection, this desease spread like most colds-through coming into contact whit those already infected who may be coughing sneezing, laughing, not properly washing their hands, etc. 
Infants and young children who many not be immune yet (there is aseries of 5 vaccination shoots) are the most susceptible. 
Symptoms: 
Because the infection has a relatively long incubation period- about a week and half up to 3 weeks- the disease is highly infectious.  
Infants made not cough or make the whooping noise-they made appear to be gasping for air, turn red in the face, and stop breathing for a few seconds. Infants may also have brief choking spellsin more severe cases. 
Sometimes symptoms are not classics, and the disease is difficult to diagnose, or misdiagnosed. This is most common amongst teenagers and adults. 
A physical exam may be done and the doctor will likely also take a mucus swab, do a blood tests or possibly take a chest x-ray. If the diagnose is positive, you will be put on antibiotis for a term of usually 2 weeks. 
Make surethey get lots of rest, and try using a cool mist vaporized to help loosen up any congestion they have, making it easier for them to breathe. If you use a vaporized tough, make sure to clean the filter each they to prevent bacteria from building up. Try also keeping irritants out of the house that made aggravate the coughing spasms such us cigarettes, heavy aerosol spray use, smoke from fireplacesor good stoves. Another hazard you will need to be aware of is the risk of dehydration.  
Prevention 
it is recommended that all children, and even babies should be given the vaccination against the disease. 
In children the immunizations are given in 5 shots doses before their 6th birthday. The shot is part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) immunization, and some childrenmay not be able to get one due to particular allergies or other circumstances.  
 
Mononucleosis: 
Nicknamed the “kissing disease,” many parents think of mono as a disease of teens and young adults. They don’t know that young children are also commonly affected.  
What is mononucleosis? 
Mono is an illness that classically includes a sore throat, fever, swollen glands, and noticeable...