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.
