7 Contagious Diseases At School – Being Parents

As soon as the child starts school, he is subject to all the contagious diseases that exist,  some of which are quite dangerous.

There are steps you can take to reduce contagion. But in most cases, they cannot be avoided because they spread very easily.

7 contagious diseases at school

The best thing we can do to take care of a child’s health is to educate ourselves properly about contagious diseases. As well as on ways to prevent their transmission at school. Here are the most common contagious diseases in detail:

1. Measles

This disease is caused by a virus of the Paramyxovirus family . It usually manifests in the inner part of the mouth, cheeks and palate. Over the days, it spreads to other parts of the body such as the face and neck.

Some of the main symptoms of measles are  rashes, fever, sore throat and white spots inside the mouth. It can also sometimes lead to muscle pain.

2. Gastroenteritis

This disease is characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract,  where the stomach and small intestine meet.

The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are: diarrhea, vomiting, cramps and abdominal pain. In the event of contagion, it is very important to keep the child hydrated and to provide him with adequate nutrition.

3. Lice

It is very common for your child to get “ lice ” on the head. And more if he is surrounded by many children.

These parasites are quite annoying and cause a lot of discomfort. They are mostly attracted to clean hair, but any child is predisposed to it. There are many products on the market to eliminate them quickly.

4. Conjunctivitis

This disease can be diagnosed if the child has sclera (white part of the eye) or  the lower edge of their red eyelids.

It is spread when  an infection or any irritant ignites the transparent membrane covering the whites of the eyes and the inside of the eyelids. Symptoms include: watery eyes and eye fluid. Antibiotics are needed to cure it.

5. Chickenpox

This virus is characterized by rashes on the skin and fever. The first symptom that appears with infection are blisters on various areas of the body.

Afterwards, the child will have itching, high fever, vomiting, nausea and loss of appetite. It is an extremely contagious disease.

“It is normal for children to catch illnesses easily until they are 12 years old. Indeed, their immune system is not fully developed ”

6. Bronchitis

Bronchitis occurs when the bronchi, which connects the trachea to the lungs, become inflamed. The most visible symptoms of this disease are difficulty in breathing and incessant coughing.

It also tends to be  accompanied by general malaise and, sometimes, fever. As with the other diseases mentioned before, bronchitis is also quite contagious.

7. Mumps

Mumps is caused by a virus called paramyxovirus . It causes inflammation of the parotid glands, which are responsible for producing saliva.

This disease is usually spread by air, coughing, sneezing, contact, and even talking. Hence, it is one of the most contagious diseases in school.

How to prevent contagious diseases at school?

As we said before,  it is really difficult to prevent a child from being contaminated in an environment where there are so many little ones.

However, with a series of preventative measures, we can significantly reduce the chances of this happening. Here are the actions we need to follow:

• Avoid contact with people who are sick or suspected of being sick .

• Wash the child’s hands  constantly with soap and water. You can also use disinfectant gel or alcohol.
• Keep the school informed  in case the child has a contagious disease in order to take the necessary measures.
• Disinfect common places  where a lot of children tend to be.
• Maintain adequate ventilation  throughout the establishment.
• Increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables  and other foods rich in vitamins.

These are just a few examples of contagious diseases to which children are exposed at school.

Many of them are difficult to avoid. We must therefore be properly informed about vaccinations and the actions to follow in the event of contagion of the child. Faced with the slightest doubt or concern, it is essential to consult the pediatrician.