Small insects that feed on human blood by biting through the skin. They are most active between 2:00 and 5:00 am. They can travel 10 to 15 feet to feed and go without feeding for up to 6 months. They cause itchy bites. Bedbugs are not known to transmit or spread disease.
Biting is very common among young children but usually does not lead to serious infectious disease issues. If the skin is broken, bacteria introduced into the wound can cause a tissue infection that needs to be treated by a health professional. If blood is drawn into the mouth of the biter or if the
These are bacterial infections of the skin that usually begin from a scratch or bug bite and progress to a red nodule that fills with pus. Boils are superficial infections with a thin layer of skin over fluid; abscesses are generally larger and deeper with redness and painful swelling over an area filled
Allergy describes a condition involving the immune system that causes sneezing and itching, chronic rashes, wheezing, or even life-threatening allergic reactions. Whether minor or serious, there are things you can do to prevent or control most allergic problems. The more you know about allergies—the
Answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19, discovered in December 2019, quickly became a global pandemic. Doctors and researchers continue to learn more about it every day. Safe and effective vaccines are now available, offering hope for an end to the pandemic. Until everyone is vaccinated, however, the virus continues to spread.
A type of bacteria that can cause infection of the intestines
An illness with rash and fever caused by the varicella-zoster virus
A spore- and toxin-forming bacteria that causes diarrhea
Most infections are caused by germs called viruses and bacteria. While you may be able to keep germs from spreading, you can't always keep your child from getting sick. It is important for parents to know how to keep their children healthy and what to do when they get sick. Read on to learn more from
Information and guidance for exposure (close contact) to a person with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection.
Information and guidance on preventing COVID-19 infection.
Information and guidance on similarities and differences of COVID-19 and influenza infections.
An intestinal infection caused by a parasite (Cryptosporidium hominis or C parvum)
A viral infection common in children (Up to 70% of normal children aged 1 to 3 years in group care settings excrete cytomegalovirus [CMV].)
Early childhood caries (commonly called cavities) is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Caries are the result of an infectious disease process that damages tooth structure and makes holes in the teeth. The consequences of early childhood caries are much more than unattractive teeth. Early
A shiny red rash, pinker than usual skin, or red bumps in the diaper area that may be caused by a yeast called Candida. There are other causes of diaper rash that produce a similar skin appearance but are not caused by an infection.
Although many types of Escherichia coli (E coli) bacteria live normally in the intestinal tract, at least 5 types are known to cause diarrhea. Shiga toxin–producing E coli has caused numerous outbreaks in group care settings. Infections with Shiga toxin–producing E coli may be associated with other
An illness in which someone develops more watery and frequent stools than is typical for that person. Diarrhea can be caused by changes in diet, such as drinking excessive amount of fruit juice, eating more than the usual amounts of certain foods, and the use of some medications. Diarrhea also can be
There are 2 common types of ear infections: otitis media (middle ear infection) and otitis externa (swimmer’s ear). Most ear infections of young children occur in the middle ear.
Fever is an elevation of the normal body temperature. Fever is most commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but it can be a sign of illnesses not caused by infections, such as exercising in a very warm environment, rheumatoid arthritis, a reaction to a vaccine or medication, or cancer.
Common viral infection with rash occurring 1 to 3 weeks after infection
An intestinal infection caused by a parasite (Giardia intestinalis)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection affects the body in a wide variety of ways. In the most severe infection, the virus progressively destroys the body’s immune system, causing a condition called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). With early testing and appropriate treatment, children
Depends on the site of infection. May include
A common set of symptoms associated with viral infections that are most frequently seen in the summer and fall. Despite its scary name, this illness generally is mild. Most commonly caused by coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71.
Fecal-oral route: Contact with feces of children who are infected. This generally involves an infected child contaminating his own fingers, then touching an object that another child touches. The child who touched the contaminated surface then puts her fingers into her own mouth or another person’s
Yes, if a child with known hepatitis B exhibits any of the following:
In early childhood, herpes simplex virus most commonly causes blister-like sores in the mouth and around the lips and on skin that is in contact with the mouth, such as a sucked thumb or finger.
Impetigo is a common skin infection caused by streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria.
A contagious disease caused by a group of respiratory viruses called influenza viruses
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). While there is no cure for HIV, early diagnosis and treatment are very effective at keeping people healthy. In addition, there are things you can do to prevent getting HIV. Read on to learn more
Yes, at the end of the program or school day.
An infection caused by a type of bacteria, known as spirochetes, that is transmitted when particular types of ticks attach to a person’s skin and feed on that person’s blood. These ticks are very small, only a few millimeters (about the size of a freckle); the ticks that transit Lyme disease are
An infectious disease causing swelling or inflammation of the tissue covering the spinal cord and brain.
A skin disease caused by a virus, somewhat similar to warts
In the rare event that an adult in your household develops monkeypox, share this information with your pediatrician and discuss what you can do to protect your child from infection. Here is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about monkeypox.
A disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus; the illness is commonly known as mono.
Through the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile disease may also be spread by blood transfusion and organ donation.
Herpes simplex virus, canker sores, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and thrush
A viral illness with swelling of one or more of the salivary glands
A virus that causes diarrhea and vomiting. A leading cause of diarrhea in the United States.
Inflammation (ie, redness, swelling) of the thin tissue covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids
Pinkeye (acute contagious conjunctivitis) occurs when the thin tissue covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids is red or swollen (inflamed).
Small, white, threadlike worms (0.25″–0.5″ long) that live in the large intestine
After an exam, the doctor may order a blood test or an x-ray. These tests can help your doctor decide how to treat your child's infection. If your child needs medicine, be sure you know the right amount, when to give the medicine, and if you should give food with it. If you forget or don't understand
An inflammation of the lungs primarily caused by a viral or, less commonly, bacterial infection. Infection of the lungs often is secondary to an infection that starts in the nose and throat area (ie, the upper portion of the respiratory tract) and then spreads to the lungs (ie, the lower portion of the
A virus that causes the common cold and other respiratory signs or symptoms
A fungal infection that may affect the body, feet, or scalp
A viral infection causing fever or rash in infants and children that primarily occurs between 6 and 24 months of age
Fecal-oral route: Contact with feces of children who are infected. This generally involves an infected child contaminating his own fingers, then touching an object that another child touches. The child who touched the contaminated surface then puts her fingers into her own mouth or another person’s
A mild viral infection usually lasting 3 days that is now rare in the United States because of routine immunization.
Salmonella is an intestinal infection caused by Salmonella bacteria.
An infestation of the skin by small insects called mites
An intestinal infection caused by the Shigella bacteria
An infection caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster (chickenpox) virus within the body of someone who previously had chickenpox or (rarely) someone who had received the chickenpox vaccine in the past
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that primarily causes skin infections, although these bacteria can cause pneumonia, bone, joint, and blood infections less commonly.
A disease caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria
A mild infection in the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes or near the edge of the eyelid
A yeast infection predominately produced by Candida albicans organisms causing mouth infections in young infants
A disease caused by an infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis that usually involves the lungs but could affect other parts of the body
The term upper respiratory infection usually refers to a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (ie, nose, throat, ears, and eyes). Upper respiratory infections are common among infants in child care (10–12 per year) but become less common as children mature. Older children and adults have
An infection of one or more parts of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, the tubes that join the kidneys to the bladder (ureters), the bladder, and the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside (the urethra).
If the vomiting is associated with an infection, the incubation and contagious periods depend on the type of germ causing the infection.
Warts are skin infections caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
A contagious and fairly common bacterial infection that causes a range of illnesses, from mild cough to severe disease
A sore throat is one of the most common concerns among parents of school-aged children. Here is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about sore throats and their causes. Also included is information about strep throat tests, tonsillitis, how to prevent the spread of germs, and when to
