Adenovirus Infections Adenovirus Infections What are adenoviruses? Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that typically cause respiratory illnesses such as a common cold, conjunctivitis (an infection in the eye), croup, bro...
AIDS/HIV in Children AIDS/HIV in Children What is HIV? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that is responsible for causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus destroys or impairs cells of th...
All About the Immune System All About the Immune System What is the immune system? The purpose of the immune system is to keep infectious microorganisms, such as certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi, out of the body, and to des...
Campylobacter Infection in Children Campylobacter Infection in Children Campylobacter is a bacterium that can cause a serious infection called campylobacteriosis. Symptoms often include cramping, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Fa...
Cat Scratch Disease in Children Cat Scratch Disease in Children More than a hundred years ago, a French eye doctor recorded the first case of bartonellosis, or what we now call cat scratch disease. He associated it with animals, bu...
Childhood Immunizations Childhood Immunizations The importance of immunizations Immunization is key to preventing disease among the general population. Vaccines benefit both the people who receive them, and the vulnerable, ...
Diphtheria in Children Diphtheria in Children What is diphtheria? Diphtheria, a common childhood disease in the 1930s, is an acute bacterial disease that can infect the body in two areas: The throat, nose, and tonsils (res...
Fevers Fevers What is a fever? A fever is defined by most doctors as a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees and higher or an oral temperature of 99.6 degrees or higher. The body has several ways to maintain ...
Fifth Disease Fifth Disease What is fifth disease? Fifth disease is a viral illness that is associated with an exanthem. Exanthem is another name for a rash or skin eruption that occurs due to an infection or dise...
Haemophilus Influenzae Infections Haemophilus Influenzae Infections What is Haemophilus influenzae ? Haemophilus influenzae , or H. influenzae , represents a group of bacteria that may cause different types of infections in infants a...
Hand Washing Handwashing What is the best way to wash hands? At home or work, wash your hands often—and properly: Use clean, running water; if available, use warm water. Wet your hands before applying soap. Rub y...
Hepatitis in Children Hepatitis in Children What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can result in liver cell damage and destruction. What causes hepatitis? Hepatitis in children has many different...
Herpes Simplex Virus/Cold Sores Herpes Simplex Virus/Cold Sores What are cold sores? Cold sores are small blisters around the mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus. They are sometimes called "fever blisters." The most common st...
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Herpes Zoster (Shingles) What is herpes zoster? Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person ha...
HIV Home Care HIV Home Care What is HIV? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV infection means that the body's immune system may not fight off ...
Home Page - Infectious Diseases in Children Topic Index All About the Immune System Infectious Diseases Fevers Prevention of Infectious Disease Glossary Fighting infectious diseases today is much easier than in the past. With proper hygiene an...
Human Parainfluenza Viruses (HPIVs) Human Parainfluenza Viruses (HPIVs) What are human parainfluenza viruses? Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are a group of viruses that cause different types of respiratory infections and are most ...
Impetigo Impetigo What is impetigo? Impetigo is a superficial infection of the skin caused by bacteria. The lesions are often grouped and have a red base. The lesions open and become crusty and have a "honey ...
Infectious Diseases Infectious Diseases There are many different infectious diseases that require clinical care by a doctor or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have pr...
Infectious Mononucleosis in Adolescents Infectious Mononucleosis in Adolescents What is infectious mononucleosis? Infectious mononucleosis, also known as mononucleosis, "mono," glandular fever, or sometimes the "kissing disease," is charac...
Influenza (Flu) in Children Influenza (Flu) in Children What is influenza? Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection and is one of the most severe illnesses of the winter season. An estimated 5 to 20 percent of the...
Lyme Disease in Children Lyme Disease in Children What is Lyme disease? Lyme disease (LD) is a multi-stage, multi-system bacterial infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, a spiral shaped bacterium that is mo...
Meningitis in Children Meningitis in Children What is meningitis? Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and the spinal cord. What causes meningitis? Meningitis is usually caused by a bacter...
Meningococcal Infections Meningococcal Infections What are meningococcal infections? Meningococcal infections are caused by a species of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. The most common forms of meningococcal infectio...
MRSA and Children: What You Should Know MRSA and Children: What You Should Know More than 90,000 Americans develop serious infections each year from drug-resistant staphylococcus bacteria. This germ is known as methicillin-resistant Staphy...
Mumps Mumps What is mumps? Mumps is an acute and highly contagious viral illness that usually occurs in childhood. Spread by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract, the disease usually takes tw...
Online Resources - Infectious Diseases in Children Online Resources - Infectious Diseases in Children This Web page was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the p...
Pediatric Glossary - Infectious Diseases Pediatric Glossary - Infectious Diseases | A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M | | N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y | | Z | A ...
Pets and Infectious Diseases in Children Pets and Infectious Diseases in Children How can you prevent the spread of infectious disease from your pet? Proper care of your pet may prevent him or her from becoming ill and infecting the househo...
Poliomyelitis (Polio) in Children Poliomyelitis (Polio) in Children What is poliomyelitis? Poliomyelitis, also called polio, is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by three types of poliovirus. The poliovirus is a virus mos...
Prevention of Infectious Disease Prevention of Infectious Disease Prevention is the key to stopping the spread of many infectious diseases and sometimes can make the difference between life and death. Hand washing is the single most...
Rabies in Children Rabies in Children What is rabies? Rabies is a viral infection of certain warm-blooded animals and is caused by a virus in the Rhabdoviridae family. It attacks the nervous system and, once symptoms d...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Children Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) in Children What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever? Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is an infection caused by the bite of an infected tick. In recent years it ha...
Roseola Roseola What is roseola? Roseola is a viral illness that results in a viral exanthem. Exanthem is another name for a rash or skin eruption. Roseola is a contagious disease marked by a high fever and ...
Rotavirus Infections Rotavirus Infections What is rotavirus? Rotavirus is a contagious virus and, among children, is the leading cause of severe diarrhea. In some infants and children, diarrhea may be so severe that they...
Roundworm Infections in Children Roundworm Infections in Children Ascariasis is the name of an infection caused by the roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides . When a worm lives inside the human body, the condition is called a parasitic inf...
Rubella (German Measles) in Children Rubella (German Measles) in Children What is rubella (German measles)? Rubella is a viral illness that results in a viral exanthem. Exanthem is another name for a rash or skin eruption. It is spread ...
Rubeola (Measles) Rubeola (Measles) What is rubeola? Rubeola, also called 10-day measles, red measles, or measles, is a viral illness that results in a viral exanthem. Exanthem is another name for a rash or skin erupt...
Scarlet Fever Scarlet Fever What is scarlet fever? Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is an infectious disease that causes a rash. It is associated with an infection by streptococci, the same kind of bacteri...
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Children Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in Children What is SARS? Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a rapidly spreading, potentially fatal infectious viral disease. According to the CDC, SARS was...
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)? Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infectious diseases transmitted through sexual contact. The CDC estimates that 19...
Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome What is staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome? Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a response to a toxin produced by a staphylococcal infection and is characte...
Tetanus in Children Tetanus in Children What is tetanus? Tetanus is an acute, sometimes fatal, disease of the central nervous system, caused by the toxin of the tetanus bacterium, which usually enters the body through a...
Topic Index - Infectious Diseases in Children Topic Index - Infectious Diseases in Children Infectious Diseases Home All About the Immune System Infectious Diseases Adenovirus Infections AIDS / HIV HIV Home Care Campylobacter Infection in Childr...
Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxic Shock Syndrome What is toxic shock syndrome? Toxic shock syndrome, or TSS, describes a cluster of symptoms that involve many systems of the body. The following bacteria commonly cause TSS: Stap...
Trichomoniasis in Teens Trichomoniasis in Teens Trichomoniasis, known as trich , is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis , which, like all parasites, uses the host ...
Tuberculosis (TB) in Children Tuberculosis (TB) in Children What is tuberculosis? Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial infection that usually infects the lungs, although other organs such as the kidneys, spine, or brain are s...
Walking Pneumonia in Children Walking Pneumonia in Children Pneumonia is a serious and potentially life-threatening lung infection. A germ called Mycoplasma pneumoniae is often responsible for a milder type of pneumonia called "w...
West Nile Virus in Children West Nile Virus in Children What is the West Nile virus? The West Nile virus belongs to a group of viruses known as flaviviruses, commonly found in Africa, West Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Fla...
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Whooping Cough (Pertussis) What is whooping cough (pertussis)? Whooping cough, or pertussis, primarily affects infants and young children. Caused by a bacterium, it is characterized by paroxysms (int...