Kindergarten: Childhood Diseases

Cold germs are exposed to your kindergartener daily. Teach the importance of:

• Covering his mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
• Disposing of soiled tissues properly.
• Using his own glass.
• Using soap and hot water to wash his hands after every sneeze and every time a tissue is used.

Because there is no cure for a cold, help make your child's cold as tolerable as possible. Help him get exercise, fresh air, balanced meals, fluids and lots of sleep. Avoid chilling, over-heating and dampness because they lower the body's resistance and ability to fight infections.

Impetigo is a bacterial skin infection most often seen around the lips, nose and ears, but it can be anywhere on the body. It's caused by common skin organisms carried in the nose and on the skin.

Impetigo starts as small blisters that break and crust over to become yellow-brown scabs that look like brown sugar. Impetigo is rarely serious but is highly contagious and should be treated immediately.

• It is spread by direct contact. Keep your child out of school until a health care provider has seen him and prescribed treatment. Antibiotic creams and oral medications are common.
• Avoid touching the area.
• Proper hand washing is a must.
• Avoid sharing towels and toilet articles.
• Dispose of wound dressings carefully.
•  Impetigo is more common among younger children during warm weather and among the chronically ill.

Diarrhea - loose and numerous bowel movements - is embarrassing and uncomfortable to kindergarteners.

• Diarrhea is caused by intestinal organisms so may be contagious.
• Thorough washing of hands after bathroom use is essential.
• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
• Missing school is necessary for your child's comfort.

Pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, is the infection or inflammation of the thin membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the inside of the eyelid. The white part of the eye becomes red and produces a mucus that is sticky and builds up. It often dries on the eyelashes at night and eyes are "stuck together" by morning.

Pinkeye is the most common eye disease in the United States and spreads easily among children and families.

• It's spread by contact with eye discharge.
• Use clean cloths each time to cleanse the eye.
• Wash hands frequently to avoid spreading the illness.
• Visit a health care provider to get prescription antibiotics.
• Keep your child at home to prevent spreading the disease. She may return according to doctor's instruction.
• Pinkeye usually clears up in 10 to 14 days, sooner with medication and prompt medical attention.

Fifth Disease most often affects children 5 to 14 years old. The mild virus is spread by coughing or sneezing.

A red rash generally begins on the face. The rash may spread to the rest of the body and may look "lacy" and itch. Heat from sun, exercise or bath water may make the rash reappear over the next two to three weeks.

There may be no other symptoms, or the rash may be accompanied by fatigue, low-grade fever, runny nose and sore throat. Non-aspirin tablets may provide comfort.

Fever indicates an infection in the body. It helps the body kill infectious organisms.

The most accurate temperature reading is taken with a rectal thermometer which reads normal temperature at 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The oral thermometer will probably be more acceptable to your kindergartener; 98.6 F indicates normal temperature. Digital thermometers placed in the ear are available too.

Remember, everyone has daily variations in body temperature with highs usually between 4 and 6 p.m.

Fever increases the speed at which the body works. Good nourishment is needed. Offer fluids often.