Exanthematous diseases in children

Exanthematous diseases are infectious diseases having as a prominent feature a skin rash, apart from other symptoms such as cough, sore throat and fever (the thermometer can measure up to 40° C). They are highly contagious diseases and they are very common among people who don’t have a developed immune system, that is children. Exanthematous diseases are spread through respiration especially in places attended by children, such as nurseries and schools. Usually exanthematous diseases are not dangerous and can be easily cured, but paradoxically, they become dangerous if the contagion happens in adulthood because they can bring numerous complications.

Among exanthematous diseas in children the most common are measles, chickenpox, scarlet fever and rubella. For some of those diseases, vaccination is available to protect children from the contagion.

Measles

It is an infection of the respirastory system caused by a virus, specifically paramyxovirus and is highly contagious. The infection has an average incubation of two weeks, after that, the so called pre-exanthematous period starts in the form of tiny red spots that, starting from the face and the neck, quickly spreads to cover most of the body. There is no specific therapy to cure measles, the only thing to do is to keep the child in the cot, and give him medicines to soothe, somehow, fever and cough. Children affected by measles have to eat light food, drink plently of liquids and assume Vitamin C. Measles, even though is an exanthematous disease and not dangerous, can bring various complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia and corneal scarring. But a vaccine is available and it can be somministrated to young babies too and it’s really helping to reduce the diffusion of this disease.

Chickenpox

It is caused by Varicella Zoster virus. Chickenpox han an incubation of two or three weeks and during this period, it’s not contagious. It generally starts with a vesicular skin rash appearing in two or three waves and fever. The tiny spots that appear after three or four days become itchy raw pockmarks, small open sores which heal mostly without scarring. Even in this case, a pharmacological therapy only helps to relieve the symptoms: for instance, it is possible to give paracetamol for the fever or an antihistaminic for the itch. The virus stays in the body and it can spread again ( usually in adulthood ) in the form of the so called Herpes Zoster. Vaccination is available for children from 12 month onwards.

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever is caused by an infection with GROUP A streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria make this toxin (poison) that can cause scarlet-colored rash from which this illness gets its name. The bacterial infection that cause scarlet fever is contagious. A child who has scarlet fever can spread the bacteria to others through nasal and throat fluids by sneezing or coughing or it can be passed through contact with the skin. The infection has an average incubation of 3 – 4 days, after that, there is a phase in which symptoms start appearing: a child with scarlet fever may have chills, body aches, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. The rash is the most striking sign of scarlet fever. It usually begins looking like a bad sunburn with tiny bumps and it may itch. The scarlet fever rash usually fades on the sixth day after sore throat symptoms began and the infection itself is usually cured with a 10 day course of antibiotic but it may take a few weeks for tonsils to return to normal.

Rubella

Rubella- commonly known as German measles – is an infection that primarly affects the skin and lymph nodes. It is caused by Rubella virus ( not the same virus that causes misleas ). It has an average incubation of two or three weeks. Rubella infection may begin with one or two days of mild fever and swallen, tender lymph nodes, usually in the back of the neck or behind the ears. A rash then appears that begin on the face and spreads downward. Rubella is not a dangerous disease and it fades spontaneously after a couple of days. When Rubella occurs in pregnant woman, it may cause congenital rubella syndrome with potentially devastating consequences for the developing fetus. To avoid this risk, it is highly advisable for young women to get vaccinated in case they haven’t been affected by the infection before puberty.

Other exanthematous diseases in children are Fourth disease, Fifth disease and Roseola.

Exanthematous diseases are very common among children and, properly cured, they don’t cause permanent consequences. The right thing to do is to seek medical advice immediately in order to have all the information you need to make your child better.

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