CHILDHOOD ILLNESS CHART

ILLNESS SYMPTOMS INCUBATION; TREATMENT CONTAGIOUSNESS

DURATION
Bronchitis Frequent coughing. Labored breathing, Possible 1-7 days, Consult your doctor. If the child has fever, make 2 days before symptoms
fever. 2-4 days sure he rests, give him plenty of juice and use a appear to 2 days after.
vaporizer.
Chicken pox Fever. Discomfort. Itching. Pink or red spots on 10-21 days; Consult your doctor. Rest is essential. Relieve 1 day before spots appear to
the chest, stomach and back, which may spread to 7-10 days itching with calamine lotion or oatmeal powder about 6 days after. The child
the scalp and face. Spots change to blisters, which baths. Trim the child’s nails. Keep his utensils and should be isolated until
eventually crust. dishes separate. blisters crust and dry.
Common Sneezing, stuffed or runny nose, sore throat, 1-7 days; If the child has a fever, make sure he rests, give him 2 days before the symptoms
Cold watery eyes. Possible cough, chills, low fever 2-14 days plenty of juice and use a vaporizer. Keep him warm appear to 2 days after.
and avoid chilling. Consult doctor if the symptoms
persist or worsen.
Croup Labored breathing, hoarseness, loud hacking 2-6 days; Consult your doctor. Use a vaporizer. Keep the 2 days before symptoms
cough. Often comes on at night. 4-5 days child on a light, low fat diet. appear to 5 days after.
E. Coli Ranges in severity. Sudden onset of watery 1-8 days; Severe complications may cause hospitalization. Onset of illness to 4 weeks
diarrhea (frequently bloody), abdominal cramps, 1-3 days. after.
sometimes with vomiting and a low-grade fever.
Fifth Disease May have facial rash followed by a lacelike rash 4-20 days; No specific treatment. Acetaminophen may relieve A few days prior to the rash
on the trunk, arms, and legs. Sometimes with sore 1-3 weeks. some symptoms. Pregnant women should not be appearing.
throat, runn nose, and low grade fever before the exposed.
rash begins. Rash may disappear and reappear
German Chills. Low fever (sometimes high). Runny nose, 14-21 days; If the child has a fever, make sure he rests, give him 7 days before symptoms
Measles painful swelling of glands behind the ears. 3-6 days plenty of juice and use a vaporizer. Keep the child’s appear to 5 days after.
(Rubella) Usually there is a slightly raised fine red rash, hands clean. Launder his linen and clothes Pregnant women should
which begins on the face, then spreads over the separately. never be exposed to this
entire body illness.
Hand, Foot & Fever, sore throat and the appearance of small 3-5 days; Exclusion is NOT necessary. Cover mouths when Until blister-like sores are not
Mouth Disease blister-like sores in and around the mouth, on 1 day to several sneezing or coughing, dispose of tissues with throat present while sick. For weeks
palms, fingers and soles of the feet. weeks after and nose discharges, wash hands. after though feces.
illness gone.
Head Lice Blood-sucking insect that lives on the scalp. Eggs (nits) hatch Examine all people regularly after outbreak, children As long as nits or eggs are
(Pediculosis) Itching behind ears and above neck. in 7 days & lay allowed back after first treatment. Launder alive.
eggs in 10 days; clothing/bedding in hot water (130 F) for a minimum
As long as eggs of 20 minutes. Vacuum carpet and furniture.
and lice live. Disinfect combs & brushes.

Influenza Chills, drowsiness, weakness, sudden high fever, 1-3 days; Consult the doctor. If the child has fever, make sure 1 day before symptoms
(virus, flu) headache, achiness, sore throat, no appetite, 3-7 days he rests, give him plenty of juice and use a vaporizer. appear to 7 days after.
possible nausea and dizziness. Keep his utensils and dishes separate.
 ILLNESS SYMPTOMS INCUBATION; TREATMENT CONTAGIOUSNESS
DURATION
Measles Early symptoms include low fever, slight hacking 10-15 days; Consult your doctor. If the child’s eyes are sensitive 4 days before rash appears to
cough, fatigue, discomfort, eye irritation. Around 8-12 days to light, keep the room dim. If he has fever, make 5 days after.
the 4th day, fever and cough worsen and a rash of sure he rests, give him plenty of juice and use a
faint pink spots appear on the neck and cheek, then vaporizer. Keep his utensils and dishes separate.
spreads to the rest of the body
Mumps Swollen glands on one or both sides of the jaw. 12-24 days; Consult your doctor. Rest is essential. Apply cool Varies
Mild headache. Fever. 6-10 days compresses to the cheeks. Do not give the child
citrus juices. Keep his utensils and dishes separate..
Pink Eye Scratchy filling in one or both eyes, and redness in 24-74 hours See your doctor. Use good personal hygiene, clean Spreads by direct contact with
(conjuncitivitis) the whites of the eyes. Possible discharge gluing soiled articles with hot soapy water. Disinfect secretions from the eye(s).
eyes shut. objects with bleach/water solution.
Pneumonia Coughing, fever, rapid breathing, discomfort, 2-14 days; Consult your doctor. Make sure the child rests. Give Varies
chills, weakness. Possible nausea and vomiting. About 7 days him plenty of juice. Use a vaporizer. Keep in on a
Sudden fever lasting several days light, low fat diet.
Roseola Sudden fever lasting several days. After fever is 10-14 days; Consult your doctor 1 day before symptoms
gone, a rash of flat or raised spots appears on the 5-6 days appear to 6 days after
chest, stomach or back, then spreads to the rest of
the body
Scabies Caused by a mite that burrows into the skin. 2-6 weeks 1st See your doctor. May return to daycare one day after Until all mites and eggs are
Thread-like lesions (3/8” long) usually between infection, or 1-4 treatment. Dry clean or launder garments, bed linens destroyed. Generally occurs
fingers, elbows, palms, wrists, armpits, buttocks days reinfect-ed; and other things touched with 48 hours prior to after 1st or 2nd treatment
and genitalia. Itch especially at night. until mites are treatment. Non cleanable items should be placed in (treatments are 1 week apart).
gone. a plastic bag for 4 days. Vacuum.
Scarlet Fever Painful sore throat. Fever, nausea and vomiting. 1-5 days; Consult your doctor. Make sure the child rests. 1 day before symptoms
Within 3 days a fine rash appears on the neck, 6-8 days Give him plenty of fluids. Check other family appear to 6 days after
armpit and groin, then spreads over the body. members for symptoms
Strep Throat Painful sore throat. Fever. Nausea and vomiting. 2-5 days; Consult your doctor. If the child has fever, make 1 day before symptoms
About 6 days sure he rests and give him plenty of juice. Check appear to 6 days after.
other family members for symptoms.
Whooping May begin with “cold-like” symptoms which 7-21 days; Antibiotics may be given. Up to 5 or 7 days following
Cough progress to a cough. After several days severe 1-3 months treatment.
coughing fits may cause the child to vomit or lose
their breath.