Infectious Diseases - Childhood Diseases

Question 1

What about Chickenpox?

Answer 1

Chickenpox:
* Caused by Varicella zoster
* Spread by inhaled droplets or contact
* Incubation period 10-21 days
* Viral proliferation occurs in regional lymph nodes of URT 2-4 days after initial infection, followed by primary viremia on days 4-6

Signs and symptoms:
- Itchy rash (red bumps then blisters then crusted scabs)
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Malaise

Question 2

What about Measles?

Answer 2

Measles:
* Caused by virus from genus Morbillivirus
* Spread by respiratory droplets or contact
* Incubation period 10-14 days
* Initial viral replication occurs locally in
tracheal and bronchial epithelial cells, spreading to local lymphatic tissues

Signs and symptoms:
* Fever
* Dry cough and runny nose
* Sore throat Measles
* Conjunctivitis
* Tiny white spots found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek also called Koplik’s spots
* A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another

Question 3

What about Mumps?

Answer 3

Mumps:
* Caused by Rubulavirus
* Spread by saliva, inhaled droplets, human contact or contact with infected items (clothes, utensils etc.)
* Incubation period 16-18 days
* Viral proliferation occurs locally and then disseminates to parotid glands (salivary glands)

Signs and symptoms:
- Swollen salivary glands
- Pain
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Malaise

Question 4

What a

What about Glandular Fever?

Answer 4

Glandular fever/Mononucleosis
* Caused by Epstein-Barr virus
* Spread directly or indirectly by saliva
* Incubation period 4-6 weeks
* Humoral and cellular immune responses are triggered – inadequate T cell response raises risk of B cell malignancies

Signs and symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Swollen cervical and axillary lymph nodes
- Swollen tonsils
- Headache
- Skin rash
- Soft, swollen spleen”