ROSEOLA INFANTUM-DIPHTHERIA in Children prevention and treatment

ROSEOLA INFANTUM This is a fairly common fever-producing disease in children during the first three years of life. It is worth considering when a child has a fever, is irritable and drowsy, and has no other diagnostic signs such as a rash. In roseola infantum, strangely enough, a flat, reddish rash does appear, after three or four days of fever-and at that point, the disease is ended; the fever and other symptoms disappear quickly. This contrasts with 478 / Family Preventive Care illnesses such as measles, scarlet fever, and chickenpox, in which the rash heralds the beginning of the most intense phase of illness. Roseola infantum yields without treatment. It is presumed to be a virus disease. There is no specific treatment for it. Fortunately, one attack appears to provide immunity for life.

DIPHTHERIA

Happily, this disease has been almost completely eradicated in the United States through immunization. Once it killed 25 percent of its victims and left incapacitated many of those who survived. Every child should be immunized early and completely against diphtheria. If there is doubt about the completeness of the immunization, the Schick test can be used. The doctor injects into the skin a small amount of the poison secreted by the diphtheria germ. If protection is complete, the test will be negative; that is, no reddened, blistered area will appear on the skin. If the test is positive, the child must be further immunized until a negative test result is obtained. Diphtheria is caused by a bacillus type of germ which usually grows on the tonsils and in the throat. It can infect nose and larynx. When the disease develops, the throat becomes sore and swollen, and a grayish membrane may cover the tissue.

This membrane may get so large that it, plus the swelling, can obstruct breathing. This is one reason why diphtheria needs immediate medical attention, usually in a specialized contagious-disease unit of a hospital. Another reason for the high fatality rate of the disease is the powerful poison given off by growing diphtheria germs. It is absorbed into the body and affects the heart and other vital organs. It may paralyze nerves that control swallowing or breathing. Fortunately, a powerful antitoxin is available. It can be injected to neutralize the poison.

However, antitoxin must be given before the child has been ill more than three days. After that, the mortality rate is high despite use of large quantities of antitoxin. Diphtheria usually provides plenty of warning that something serious is going on. There will be fever, prostration, vomiting, as well as sore throat. Sometimes, bloody mucus appears in one or both nostrils. The doctor should be notified at once if diphtheria is suspected.