Your Child Isn't Feeling Well? Quiz

Answer: Body, face and scalp

The first signs of chickenpox include a mild fever and a rash. The rash makes its presence known by showing up on the trunk of the body, the face and the scalp first. Gradually the rash spreads to the arms and legs. The rash first presents itself as small, flat and red spots which quickly turn into itchy, fluid-filled blisters.

The blisters will measure about a quarter of an inch in size, appearing red at the base. Once the blisters break open the sores will develop a crust which then becomes dry brown scabs.

The illness last about one and a half weeks. When the chicken pox virus becomes active again in later life it is called shingles. If a chickenpox vaccine is given within a five-day period of exposure to the disease it can be beneficial in preventing the disease or at the very least in helping to reduce how severe the illness may become.

Answer: Fifth Disease

Fifth Disease is also called "slapped cheek" disease because of the raised red rash that appears on a child's face. Initially the illness presents itself with flu-like symptoms of a runny nose, sore throat, fever and some body pain or weakness. These symptoms typically occur about a week before the raised red rash appears.

After about one to four days the rash will spread to the torso and arms, then on to the rest of the body. The rash can keep re-appearing for as long as three weeks. This rash is often brought on by heat, sunlight or even bathing. If you are in contact with an infected person and contract the illness it can show up anywhere from four to twenty days later.

A person will be contagious for seven to ten days prior to the development of the rash.

Answer: Bacterial meningitis

In 1988 a Hib vaccine was introduced which has aided in the significant reduction of the occurrence of bacterial meningitis. The primary series of vaccines is generally done at the ages of two, four and six months.

The symptoms of Hib meningitis include fever, vomiting, stiffness of the back and neck, tiredness and bulging fontanelles on the heads of infants. Following the routine immunization schedule for children is indeed important and should be considered.

Answer: Impetigo

Direct contact with the rash or the discharge from the rash of an infected person will spread the impetigo infection. The skin infection known as impetigo starts when either the strep or the staph bacteria enter the body. Insect bites, cuts and scratches are common ways that the bacteria can invade the body.

It is most common during the summer months of the year. Clusters of bumps and/or blisters become surrounded by an area that is reddish in color. Fluid can ooze out from the blisters and even develop a yellowish or gray crust.

The rash usually shows up around the nose, mouth and any unclothed skin. The bacteria can get onto towels, wash cloths, bedding and clothing. Proper hygiene is essential in helping to prevent the spread of the infection.

When impetigo is present, the daily laundering of bedding, clothing and towels is extremely important. Antibiotics are required and a child is no longer contagious twenty-four hours after starting the antibiotics.

Answer: Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus and first appears as tiny bumps on the skin. At this early stage, there is no pain involved. Over the course of several weeks the bumps will become small and waxy. They appear pinkish-white and become raised lesions which will sometimes have small dips in the center.

The bumps can get swollen and red when the body is trying to rid itself of the virus. Scratching can spread the infection as well as direct contact with the lesions and contaminated things that the infected person may have touched after scratching. Hand washing is extremely important to help reduce the spread of many infections such as molluscum contagiosum.

Answer: Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis ("Mono") is common in older children. It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and an estimated fifty percent of people with EBV will develop mononucleosis. The signs and symptoms include such things as swollen lymph glands, exhaustion, sore throat, fever and the enlargement of the liver and spleen. Sometimes jaundice may occur giving a yellowish color to the skin and the eyes.

It is spread through direct and indirect contact with the nasal and throat secretions of the infected person.

Some of the ways that mono is spread are kissing, sharing cups, sharing toys, touching something that has been contaminated by infected saliva and so on. In less common instances, the patient may be infectious for as long as a year after the illness first appeared.

Answer: Mumps

The first symptoms of mumps may show up as fever, headache and swollen, painful salivary glands. These glands are situated in the front of and below the ear at jaw level. Mumps can spread through breathing in air that an infected person has contaminated by coughing or sneezing. Kissing may spread the disease as well as sharing anything that could be touched by the child's mouth such as toys or a cup.

There are complications that can arise from the mumps such as meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain), orchitis (inflammation of the testicles), oophoritis (inflammation of the ovary) and sometimes deafness and infertility can be a result of the mumps infection. There is a vaccine available which begins at the age of twelve months in most places. The vaccine, MMR, gives protection against mumps, measles and rubella.

Answer: Whooping cough

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory illness that affects children and adults. The cause is a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis. Children under the age of one are at the most risk of contracting this disease. Upon onset of Pertussis the symptoms include a runny nose and a low grade fever.

There is a mild cough to begin with but it accelerates after approximately two weeks into violent rapidly repetitive coughing. The lungs become void of air causing the child to try to inhale making the signature "whooping" noise. Vomiting can be common after coughing and the cough can last for many weeks before it subsides.

Answer: Thick discharge from the eye

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, causes teary, itchy, red and sore eyes. The eyelids can become quite swollen and there is fever present. There is a yellow or yellowish-green thick pus discharge that makes the eyelids very sticky.

Pink eye is spread through touching the discharge or through the infected person touching the discharge and then touching someone else. Facecloths, eye droppers, make up applicators and tissues are only some of the items that the infected person may get discharge onto rendering the items contaminated. Antibiotics are required to clear up the infection. Anything that can be laundered or cleaned with boiling water should be while the other items should be disposed of.

Answer: Scabies

The microscopic insects known as mites burrow under the top layer of skin where they live and lay eggs.

Itching becomes terribly intense, mostly at night, with the most commonly affected areas being between the fingers and toes. Other areas where the mites can burrow into include the wrists, armpits, groin, waist and more. The burrows can appear like skin-colored lines or grayish-white lines on the skin. Scabies is highly spreadable and all clothing and beddings will require laundering. The entire child's body and hair must be washed with a treatment product, often repeating the treatment within a certain number of days. It is a good idea for everyone in the household to do the treatment process as well. Carpets and mattresses should be vacuumed. It takes a mite approximately two and a half minutes to burrow under the skin. A person who has scabies is contagious until all of the mites and eggs are destroyed through proper treatment.