10 Common Communicable Diseases Your Child Can Pick up at School

So, your little munchkin is all grown up and ready to take the next big leap in his life with school. It’s a whole new chapter in your child’s life because school is one place where your kid not only gets educated but also learns a great deal about life. Aside from imparting education and learning to your child, school is also a place where your child comes in contact with many children. This increases the chances of coming into direct contact with parasites, viruses and bacteria. Therefore, your child is more susceptible to catching various kinds of communicable diseases at school. Read on to know more about the diseases your child can pick up at school!

Video: 10 Most Common Communicable Diseases Your Child Can Pick Up at School

Common Contagious Diseases in Kids

Here are some common communicable diseases in children or some childhood communicable infectious diseases that your child may pick up at school:

1. Common Cold

Common cold is amongst one of the most contagious diseases that can affect your child. There are more than 20 kinds of viruses that can cause common cold in children. Common cold can lead to a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing and sneezing among other symptoms. Make sure your child washes his hands often and disposes of his tissue after every use. Increase his fluid intake to help him feel better soon. Vapour rubs are great from relieving the symptoms too.

2. Head Lice

One of the most annoying and difficult problems to deal with is head lice. These parasites are found on the scalp, and they multiply very fast. They cause mild to severe itching on the scalp. There are many over-the-counter medicated shampoos available to deal with this problem. Make sure you follow the complete course of treatment, or else it may relapse.

3. Flu or Influenza

Influenza or flu is often confused with a common cold, but they are not the same. Flu has more pronounced and severe symptoms in comparison to cold, and it is characterised by extreme fatigue, stomach cramps, fever and body aches. The child needs to take ample rest, and the fluid intake should be increased. However, if the symptoms do not subside, medical help should be sought.

4. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

The name of the disease may scare you, but there is no need to panic. This viral infection may cause blisters on your child’s hands, feet and mouth. These painful blisters are accompanied by fever and pain too. Antipyretic and anti-analgesic medicines can be given to providing relief. It is advised to keep your child at home if your kid gets this infection because it can spread like wildfire.

5. Conjunctivitis

This infection affects the eyes and is characterised by red, itchy and watery eyes. Sometimes discharge or pus is seen to depending on the severity of the infection. Conjunctivitis can be viral or bacterial and depending on the type, the incubation period of the infection can vary. This is a highly contagious and painful condition. Ensure good hygiene and Make sure your child is well rested.

6. Chicken Pox

This is a viral infection can affect the child, and the symptoms may appear much later. This is because the virus may have already affected the child and the itchy chicken pox blisters may appear later. Your child can have these blisters all over his body along with fever. The usual incubation period of this infection can range anywhere between 10 to 21 days. You can use any fever medicine such as paracetamol to subside the fever and calamine lotion can be applied on the blisters to prevent itching and scarring.

7. Pinworms

Pinworms are also very common in children and can spread easily from one child to another. Your child may accidentally or unintentionally come in contact with the eggs of the worm and can ingest them. These worms affect your child’s intestines and lay eggs around the anal region. The symptoms include severe anal itching, rash around the anal area, or you can also spot a pinworm in your child’s stool. Your doctor will administer medicines to get rid of the worms.

8. Gastroenteritis

This is a common viral ailment that may usually affect your kid during winter months. Your child may experience vomiting, nausea, tummy aches or may even have a fever. Sometimes the child may also have a sore throat or a runny nose along with other symptoms. It may last for 3 to 4 days, and your kid may take a week to become completely hale and hearty again. It is very common for children to get dehydrated during the bout of gastroenteritis, so make sure you give ample water and other fluids to keep your child hydrated.

9. Measles

This is a deadly infection which can turn very serious if not treated on time. This viral infection begins with rash and low-grade fever but the condition can quickly deteriorate, and the infection may lead to severe respiratory infection. If you think your kid has this infection, take him to the nearest hospital at the earliest and get the treatment started. If you have other children in the house, keep your affected child in isolation until he feels okay.

10. Hepatitis A

This is a highly infectious viral infection that your kid can catch in school. Your child may experience diarrhoea, nausea, fever, loss of appetite and other such symptoms. You must take your kid to the doctor if you feel your kid has hepatitis A. Proper nutrition and a good diet can help your child feel better. Also, your doctor will establish the correct course of treatment for your child.

Once your child enters school, it is imperative that he will come in contact with various kinds of disease-causing germs. However, you can reduce the risk by teaching your child to maintain good hygiene. Ask him to wash his hands before and after going to the toilet and eating his food. Tell your kid not to share handkerchiefs or other personal belongings with friends and also tell your child not to touch his mouth and nose often. Guiding your child to follow such precautions may help in the prevention of various kinds of communicable diseases.

Also Read:

Zika Virus Infection in Children
Shingles in Kids
Viral Infection in Children