Cold sores are blisters on the lips or in the mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. Cold sores are spread from person to person by direct contact of mucous membranes with saliva. The illness usually lasts for a week or more. Herpes simplex virus remains in the body and infections can recur over a lifetime, although recurrences are usually brief and mild.

Symptoms

Symptoms range from none to a simple blister or many painful ulcers in the mouth and high fever.

Treatment

Cold sores generally resolve within a few weeks. Treatment may include oral antiviral medicines to reduce pain and improve healing time, and/or topical creams or ointments to reduce pain and itching.

Prevention

Wash hands often and help children wash theirs to avoid spreading the infection. Avoid sharing items such as cups and toys that have come in contact with the mouth. Children with cold sores can continue to attend childcare or school as long as they feel well enough to participate in activities.

Additional information

• RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• Government of Canada: Herpes Simplex Virus – Canada.ca

The common cold is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sinuses. Colds are most common in the Fall and Winter when people are indoors and in close contact with each other.

Colds usually spread in one of 3 ways:

• Direct contact – such as kissing, touching, or holding hands with an infected person. If you have a virus, you will have germs in your nose, mouth, eyes, and on your hands. By touching other people, you can pass on the virus.
• Indirect contact – such as touching something, a toy, doorknob, or a used tissue that has been touched by an infected person and now has germs on it. Some germs, including those that cause colds and diarrhea, can stay on surfaces for many hours.
• Through the air – such as when a person coughs or sneezes. Droplets from the cough or sneeze can reach another person’s nose or mouth.

Symptoms

Typical cold symptoms include runny or stuffed-up nose, sneezing, coughing, headache, mild sore throat, loss of appetite, fatigue, and mild fever.

Treatment

There is no cure for the common cold. Colds usually last about a week but can continue for as long as 2 weeks. They usually go away on their own. To ease pain, aches or a fever, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Prevention

Handwashing is the most important way to reduce the spread of colds. Wash hands after coughing, sneezing, wiping your nose and after being in contact with someone who has a cold. Covering your nose and mouth with tissues when you sneeze or cough, or sneeze or cough into your sleeve or elbow will also help to prevent the spread of colds. While vaccines won’t prevent colds, they will prevent some of the complications, such as bacterial infections of the ears or lungs. Children can continue to attend childcare or school as long as they are well enough to participate in activities.

Additional information

• RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• RCDHU: Immunization Clinics | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• Government of Canada: Common cold – Canada.ca

Middle ear infections are also called otitis media. They are very common and usually not serious. Although not contagious, the viral or bacterial illness that causes the ear infection can be. Most ear infections happen when a person has a cold for a few days.

Symptoms

Signs of an ear infection include:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Ear ache
• Fluid draining from the ear

Treatment

Health care providers will likely wait 24 to 48 hours to see if the ear infection gets better on its own. A health care provider will prescribe antibiotics if the person is moderately or severely ill with a high fever, has severe pain, the condition has not improved for 48 hours, or if fluid is present in the ear canal. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken to reduce pain or fever.

Prevention

Handwashing is the most important way to reduce the spread of colds which can lead to ear infections. Wash hands after coughing, sneezing, wiping your nose and after being in contact with someone who has a cold. Covering your nose and mouth with tissues when you sneeze or cough, or sneeze or cough into your sleeve or elbow will also help to prevent the spread of colds. While vaccines won’t prevent colds causing ear infections, they will prevent some of the complications, such as bacterial infections of the ears. Children with an ear infection can continue to attend childcare and school as long as they feel well enough to participate in activities.

Additional information

• RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• RCDHU: Immunization Clinics | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• Government of Canada: Common cold – Canada.ca
• Canadian Pediatric Society: Ear infections | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Fifth disease is a common infection affecting the skin, upper airway and joints. It is caused by a virus known as Parvovirus B19 and tends to spread during the late winter to early spring.

The virus spreads the same way as a cold virus: by touching the hands or an object of someone who has the infection and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes, or by coming in contact with the virus in the air after an infected person has coughed or sneezed. The virus is most contagious a few days before the rash starts. Once the rash appears, it is less likely that you can pass it to anyone else.

Symptoms

Some people may have no symptoms or only develop mild symptoms. Fifth disease usually appears as a very red rash, giving a “slapped cheek” look. Other symptoms include low-grade fever, headache, mild cold-like symptoms, and upset stomach. After 1-4 days, a red lace-like itchy rash appears, first on the torso and arms, and then spreads to the rest of the body. The rash may last from 1-3 weeks.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for Fifth disease. To ease pain, aches or fever use acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Prevention

Handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. There is no vaccine to prevent Fifth disease. Children can continue to attend childcare or school if they feel well enough to take part in the activities.

Additional information

• RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• RCDHU: Immunization Clinics | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• Government of Canada: Parvovirus B19 – Canada.ca
• Canadian Pediatric Society: Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosum) | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infection caused by the Coxsackie virus. Though it mostly affects young children, it can occur at any age. Hand, foot and mouth disease doesn’t usually cause severe illness.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is most contagious during the first week of illness. It spreads through contact with an infected person’s saliva or stool. Germs can get on a person’s hands or other objects and then spread into someone’s mouth, causing infection. The virus can be found in a person’s stool for up to 4 weeks after the start of the illness.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Small, painful ulcers in the mouth
• A skin rash that looks like red spots, often with small blisters on top, that appear on the hands (palms) and feet (soles), buttocks and sometimes other places on the body
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of energy
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea

Treatment

There is no treatment for the infection. It can last for 7 to 10 days.

Prevention

Handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. There is no vaccine against hand, foot and mouth disease. Children should stay home from childcare or school if they have symptoms.

Additional information

RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
RCDHU: Immunization Clinics | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
Government of Canada: Coxsackievirus – Canada.ca
Canadian Pediatric Society: Hand, foot and mouth disease | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp, where they lay their eggs. Head lice do not spread disease. Having head lice does not mean that you are not clean.

Lice have 3 stages – the egg (nit), the nymph, and the adult.

• Nits are whitish-grey, tan or yellow ovals, about the size of a grain of sand. They stick to the hair close to the scalp and can look like dandruff. Nits hatch into nymphs in 9 to 10 days.
• Nymphs are baby lice. They look like adult lice but smaller.
• Adult lice are hard to see since they are about the size of a sesame seed. Adult lice can live for up to 30 days on a person’s head, but they die within 2 days away from the scalp.

Head lice spread easily, especially where people are in close contact. They are very common among school-aged children or children in childcare.

Head lice spread through direct hair to hair contact or indirectly by sharing hats, combs, hairbrushes and headphones. Head lice don’t fly or hop, but crawl very quickly.

Symptoms

One of the first signs of head lice is an itchy scalp, but it’s possible to have head lice without any symptoms.

Treatment

Head lice can be treated in a variety of ways: insecticides (chemicals that kill insects), non-insecticides (dehydrates the lice and they die), and other treatments (home remedies). It is important to get rid of lice or nits from items that touch the head such as hats, pillowcases, combs, and brushes.

Prevention

Avoid head to head contact and do not share combs, hairbrushes, toques, hats, or hair accessories. Children with head lice should be treated and then attend school or child care as usual.

Additional information

• RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• Canadian Pediatric Society: Head lice | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Impetigo is a common childhood skin infection that is usually caused by bacteria called Group A Streptococcus or Staphylococcus aureus. Infection occurs when the bacteria get into scrapes and insect bites.

Having impetigo does not mean someone is not clean. It often affects preschool and school-aged children, especially those whose skin has already been irritated or who have other skin problems like eczema or poison ivy.

Impetigo is spread by:

• direct contact: when someone touches the impetigo rash
• indirect contact: germs can get on bed sheets, towels or clothing that have been in contact with someone’s skin, and another person picks up those germs from touching those objects

Symptoms

Impetigo usually appears around the mouth, nose or on skin that isn’t covered by clothes. The rash can start as a cluster of red bumps or blisters. Eventually the blisters may ooze or be covered with a honey-coloured crust. Many germs live under the crust. Sometimes the infection can become serious. If this happens, you may have a fever, pain, swelling, and weakness.

Treatment

Antibiotics will be prescribed and may be taken orally or as a cream spread on the affected skin.

Prevention

Keep the affected areas of the skin covered with a light dressing. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after touching affected skin. Don’t share face cloths or towels among family members. Children should be kept home from school or childcare until they have taken the antibiotic for at least one full day.

Additional information

• RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• Canadian Pediatric Society: Impetigo | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) is an infection that affects the covering of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelid. It is usually caused by a virus but can also be caused by bacteria.

Pinkeye spreads easily by:

• Direct contact: when a person with pinkeye touches the discharge from their eye and then touches another person
• Indirect contact: when an object that is contaminated with the virus, such as a tissue, is touched or touches another person’s eyes
• Droplet: when pinkeye is caused by a common cold, droplets from a sneeze or cough can also spread it

Symptoms

People with pinkeye will complain of a scratchy feeling in their eyes. There may be lots of tearing. The whites of the eyes may be pink or red, and the eyelid may also be swollen. Pus or discharge from the eyes can make the eyelids sticky during sleep and can collect in the corners of the eyes when awake.

Treatment

Treatment may involve antibiotic eye drops or ointment and will depend on the type of pinkeye. Purulent pinkeye (pink/red eyeball, white or yellow discharge, discomfort) is usually caused by bacteria and is treated with antibiotics. Non-purulent pinkeye (pink/red eyeball, clear/watery discharge, mild or no discomfort) is usually caused by a virus and antibiotics will not work for this type of pinkeye.

Prevention

Wipe tears or discharge from the eye from the inside out and in one direction only. Use a clean part of the cloth each time. Wash hands after touching or wiping the eye. Don’t share towels or washcloths with an infected person. Children can return to school or childcare once they have been seen by a health care provider and has taken antibiotics for 24 hours (if indicated for treatment).

Additional information

RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
Canadian Pediatric Society: Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Pinworms are tiny white, thread-like worms that live in the rectum. The worms crawl out of the anus (bum) at night and lay their eggs on nearby skin. Pinworms can be uncomfortable, but they do not cause disease. People who have pinworms aren’t dirty; people can get pinworms no matter how often they bathe.

Pinworms are very common in children and spread easily among children in childcare.

Pinworms are spread:

• Directly: an infected person who scratches the itchy area can get pinworm eggs on the fingers or under fingernails. If that person touches another person’s mouth, the pinworms will spread
• Indirectly: eggs can get from an infected person onto objects, such as toys, toilet seats or baths, clothes or bedding. By sharing these objects, other people can pick up the eggs on their hands and then put them into their mouth.

Eggs can live for up to 2 weeks outside the body on clothing, bedding or other objects.

Symptoms

Usually, people with pinworms have no symptoms. Some people get very itchy around the anus or vagina, especially at night. If the infection is bad, it can affect sleep.

Treatment

Pinworms can be treated with an oral medication that can take up to 2 weeks to work. Itching can continue for at least a week after taking the medication. People may need a second dose after 2 weeks.

Prevention

Try to avoid scratching. Bathing in the morning will help to get rid of many of the eggs. Handwashing after going to the toilet, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food is important. Wash bed linens and clothes. Keep fingernails short and avoid nail-biting. Eggs are sensitive to sunlight, so open binds or curtains in the bedroom when not sleeping. Children can return to school or childcare after receiving appropriate treatment.

Additional information

RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
Canadian Pediatric Society: Pinworms | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Ringworm is the name for a group of skin infections caused by fungus that live on the dead tissues of the skin, hair and nails. The term “ringworm” doesn’t mean the infection is caused by worms.

The fungus sticks to the fingers or gets under fingernails when someone with ringworm touches or scratches the rash. Fungi grow in moist, warm areas, such as locker rooms and swimming pools, then spreads when a person touches someone else or through contact with infected items like combs, unwashed clothing or shower and pool surfaces. It’s also possible to become infected from contact with animals, like cats and dogs.

Symptoms

The infection causes a rash that may have a ring shape with a raised edge. It can have scaly patches that are quite itchy and flaky. They can happen on the scalp, body, groin, or feet. When the scalp is infected, there is often an area of baldness. Fungal infections of the feet are also known as “athlete’s foot”. They are usually very itchy and cause skin cracking between the toes.

Treatment

Usually, the skin can be treated with and antifungal ointment or cream that is applied to the infected area. For more severe infections and scalp infections, prescription medication may need to be taken orally.

Prevention

Avoid sharing personal care items such as combs, hairbrushes, face cloths or towels. Wear flip-flops in the locker room shower or at the pool. Was sports clothing regularly and shower after participating in contact sports. Wash hands often, especially after touching pets and after touching affected skin.

Additional information

RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
Canadian Pediatric Society: Ringworm | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Roseola (sixth disease) is a viral illness. It’s most common in children between 6 months and 2 years of age.

Roseola is spread by:

• Direct contact: when someone comes in contact with an infected person’s saliva on their hands and then rubs their eyes or nose
• Indirect contact: when germs in the nose and throat of an infected person spread through the air as droplets from a cough or sneeze

Symptoms

Roseola usually starts with a high fever that lasts for 3-5 days. Most children are not very sick during the fever stage. When the fever ends, a rash of small pinkish-red spots develops on the child’s face and body. The spots will turn white when you touch them and they might have a lighter ring around them. the rash usually spreads to the neck, face, arms and legs and can last from a couple of hours to up to 2 days. It is usually not itchy.

Treatment

Despite the fever and rash, most children with roseola do not get very sick and the condition gets better without treatment. Children can continue to attend childcare and school if they feel well enough.

Prevention

Handwashing is the best way to reduce the spread of viral infections.

Additional information

RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
Canadian Pediatric Society: Roseola | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
Canadian Pediatric Society: Roseola | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common virus that can affect the lungs and respiratory system. RSV infection is most serious in young babies. Almost all children get the virus at least once before they are 2 years old.

RSV is very contagious. The virus is most common between late fall and early spring. RSV is found in the nose and throat of infected people. It is spread by direct contact with respiratory secretions and droplets caused by coughing or sneezing.

Symptoms

Symptoms of RSV are the same as a common cold: cough, runny nose, fever, decrease in appetite and energy, irritability. Some children (most often very young babies) have bronchiolitis – an infection of the tiny airways leading to the lungs that causes wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Treatment

RSV is usually mild and doesn’t need any treatment. Most people get better within a week or two. Sometimes children need to be hospitalized for close monitoring and fluids or oxygen if needed.

Prevention

Wash hands often, especially after contact with respiratory and nasal secretions. Keep children less than 6 months of age away from people with colds or other respiratory infections. Children with RSV can continue to attend school or childcare if they feel well enough to participate comfortably in all program activities. Vaccines against RSV are available for babies and older adults.

Additional information

• RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• RCDHU: Immunization Clinics | Renfrew County and District Health Unit
• Government of Canada: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Symptoms and treatment – Canada.ca
• Canadian Pediatric Society: RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Scabies is a common skin condition caused by tiny insects called mites. Scabies can by unpleasant, but they do not directly cause disease. If the skin gets infected, it can lead to complications. Having scabies doesn’t mean that you are not clean.

Mites spread from person to person by direct, prolonged, close contact. Short contact, like shaking hands or a hug, usually will not spread scabies. Scabies can live off skin for 3 days, therefore, they can spread from someone’s clothes or personal items. Animals do not spread human scabies.

Symptoms

The mites that cause scabies dig deep into the skin and lay eggs. This leads to a rash that has small, red, raised spots. Itchiness is usually worse at night. The rash typically appears between the fingers, in the groin area, between toes or around the wrists or elbows, but can be found anywhere on the body. In babies and young children, the rash can appear on the head, face, neck, chest, abdomen, and back. It looks like white curvy, thread-like lines, tiny red bumps or scratch marks.

Treatment

Scabies is treated with a cream or lotion that a health care provider prescribes. It is usually kept on the skin for several hours and may require 2 treatments, 1 week apart. Itchiness may continue for a few weeks, even if the mites have all died. Everyone who lives in the home will need to be treated at the same time because someone can have scabies without yet showing symptoms.

Prevention

If you have scabies, wash all bed linen, towels and clothes in hot water and dry in a dryer at the hottest setting. Store things that can’t be washed in an airtight plastic bag for 1 week to kill the mites. Children can return to childcare or school once they have applied the first treatment.

Additional information

RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
Canadian Pediatric Society: Scabies | Caring for kids (cps.ca)

Strep throat is an infection caused by a bacteria called Group A Streptococcus. It is more common in children than adults.

Strep throat is spread by:

• Direct contact: when someone comes in contact with an infected person’s saliva, nose or sore on the skin
• Indirect contact: when germs in the nose and throat of an infected person spread through the air as droplets from a cough or sneeze

Symptoms

Not all sore throats are strep throat. People with strep throat usually have:

• A very sore throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Swollen and tender neck nodes
• Fever

Children may also complain of a headache, nausea, and sore stomach. Children usually do not have cold symptoms (cough and runny nose).

Treatment

Although strep throat usually gets better without treatment, some children can get complications if they are not treated with an antibiotic. A health care provider can decide if treatment is needed. Fevers can be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Prevention

Handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve. Children should stay home from childcare or school until they have taken the antibiotic for at least 24 hours.

Additional information

• RCDHU: Contact | Renfrew County and District Health Unit (rcdhu.com)
• Canadian Pediatric Society: Strep throat | Caring for kids (cps.ca)