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During early childhood, children are exposed to many viruses that can make them sick. Fortunately, most resolve on their own. Those that can cause more serious illnesses can be prevented through vaccination. Read on to learn more about childhood viral illnesses and how to reduce your child’s risk of contracting them.

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Vaccinations: a shield against serious childhood diseases

Tetanus vaccineHepatitis A & Hepatitis B PreventionVaccination isn’t mandatory but is strongly recommended by healthcare professionals to help children avoid diseases that can be very serious and even fatal.

Several vaccines are offered free of charge to children by provinces and territories as part of provincial immunization programs for people under the age of 18. These programs generally include vaccines against the following diseases:

It is important to follow the recommended vaccination schedule because it is designed to protect your child when they need it most. You can have your child vaccinated during visits to the doctor, during school vaccination days or even at the pharmacy. 

Immunization is still important!

Thanks to vaccines, smallpox has been eradicated worldwide, polio no longer exists in Canada, and once common diseases are now rare (e.g., rubella, measles and mumps). However, this success has led to a loss of perspective on the severity of these diseases. How can we worry about the risks of a disease for our child when we don’t know anyone who has had it? In this context, it is reasonable to question the relevance of vaccinating your child.

Vaccination is still important because diseases that are now rare in Canada are still active in other parts of the world, including both developed and developing countries. An unvaccinated person who is exposed to a disease while travelling can bring it back to Canada. If a community’s vaccination rate is too low, the virus can spread and cause an outbreak. Vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated or who do not respond well to vaccines, such as newborns and people with a weakened immune system, are then at risk of contracting the disease and becoming very ill.

Therefore, vaccination helps create a safe and effective shield that protects not only our children but also vulnerable members of the community against contagious diseases.

Common childhood diseases

Immunization prevents many childhood diseases, but there are some for which a vaccine doesn't exist. These include roseola, fifth disease, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and croup.

Roseola

Roseola, or “sixth disease,” generally strikes children from the ages of 6 to 24 months. It appears 5 to 15 days after contact with an infected child. The main symptom is a high fever (39 °C). In two out of three children, it is the only symptom. After about 3 days, the fever may be followed by a pink rash on the chest, abdomen, back, and sometimes the limbs and forehead. A child is no longer contagious once the fever has passed.

Roseola usually clears up on its own in less than 7 days without the need for medication. If your child is otherwise feeling well, there is no need to give them medication to lower their fever. If necessary, you can use acetaminophen or ibuprofen (see note). If the fever lasts more than 3 days, it is best to consult a healthcare professional.

Watch out!

You must never give ibuprofen to children under 6 months of age without medical advice or acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) to a child under the age of 16.

Fifth disease

Fifth disease, also called erythema infectiosum, is a common infection in children aged 4 to 10. They contract it by inhaling droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes or through contact with contaminated objects. Almost 3 out of 4 people will develop symptoms within 4 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Red patches appear on the cheeks, forearms, trunk, and sometimes the thighs. These symptoms last about 5 to 10 days. The disease is contagious before the rash appears (up to 5 days after exposure to the virus). Once the rash appears, children are no longer contagious. Pregnant women should avoid contact with infected people, as the virus can spread to the fetus and affect its development.

There is no treatment for this virus. However, the fever can be lowered with acetaminophen or ibuprofen (see note). Various methods can help relieve the itching caused by the rash, such as giving your child a warm bath with colloidal oatmeal, applying cold compresses or applying a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream to the rash. Avoid exposing your child to heat (check the bath water temperature!) and sunlight, as these can trigger rashes and itching. Antihistamines can also help relieve itching. Ask your pharmacist about the best product for your child. 

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease

This harmless but very contagious infection mainly affects children aged 6 months to 10 years, though adults can contract it as well. It spreads through contact with an infected person’s lesions or contaminated surfaces. Excellent hand hygiene is therefore important to reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting the infection.

After contracting the virus, the child may get a sore throat and a slight fever 3 to 6 days later. Small red or grey fluid-filled blisters will then develop on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, or other parts of the body. Sores can also appear in the mouth. These lesions are often very painful. Children are very contagious while the sores are present. The virus will also remain in the stool from 8 to 12 weeks after the sores disappear.

The disease usually resolves on its own within 7 to 10 days. The most common complication is dehydration because children may refuse to eat or drink due to sore throats. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your child drinks enough fluids. If necessary, your pharmacist can recommend a pain reliever or an electrolyte solution to prevent dehydration.

Croup (laryngitis)

This common viral infection causes inflammation, or swelling, of the larynx and vocal cords. The characteristic symptom is a cough that sounds like a dog barking. Children with this infection may also have a hoarse voice or no voice at all (voice extinction) and a mild fever. They may sometimes have difficulty breathing.

The virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or a contaminated surface. It can also be transmitted by inhaling droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Croup usually resolves on its own within 5 to 7 days.

 There is no specific treatment for croup. Studies have shown that using a humidifier does not effectively reduce symptoms. During cold weather, you can take your child outside for a few minutes because the cold air can help soothe throat inflammation.

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and relieve pain. If your child’s nose is congested, irrigating the nasal passages with a saline rinse can also help improve breathing. Cough or cold syrups are not useful for treating laryngitis and should never be used on children under 6 years old without medical advice. Prescription medication may be necessary for more serious cases of croup.

Consult a doctor immediately if your child:

  • has a severe sore throat, high fever, or difficulty speaking, swallowing or breathing
  • makes a noise while breathing in (stridor)
  • pulls in their ribs when breathing in.

You should also consult a doctor if your child has lost their voice and it persists for more than 7 days.

When to see a doctor?

Although these diseases generally aren't serious, you should see a doctor right away if your child:

  • has a fever and is less than 3 months old
  • has had a seizure
  • is vomiting a lot
  • is constantly crying and cannot be consoled
  • is difficult to wake up or much sleepier than usual
  • is pale or discoloured
  • is unresponsive to others
  • has difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly
  • has a severe headache and a stiff neck
  • has other symptoms that concern you.

If in doubt, do not hesitate to call 811 or consult your pharmacist. These healthcare professionals can help determine if a medical consultation is necessary.

Back to school: prevention is better than a cure!

Whether it’s preschool or college, going back to school always means an increase in viral infections. This is because viruses are transmitted more easily when groups of people are in confined and often poorly ventilated environments.

Help your child reduce their risk of contracting a viral infection by teaching them when and how to properly wash their hands. They should wash their hands with soap and water (or an alcohol-based product) for at least 20- seconds:

  • Before and after eating
  • After coughing or sneezing into their hands or blowing their nose into a tissue
  • After using the toilet
  • After handling or coming in contact with dirty or contaminated surfaces.

Vaccination is another excellent way to reduce the risk of complications from seasonal viruses, such as influenza and COVID-19. Since the criteria for receiving these vaccines for free vary from province to province, consult your pharmacist to determine your eligibility and that of your loved ones. Remember, vaccination protects not only you, but also vulnerable people around you.

Despite your best efforts, your child will likely contract at least one respiratory infection during the school year. In addition to regularly washing their hands, the following measures can help prevent the spread of germs to the rest of the family or their classmates:

  • Cough or sneeze into the elbow or a tissue
  • For older children, consider having them wear a mask, especially when they come into contact with vulnerable people
  • Refrain from visiting relatives who are more vulnerable to illness, such as newborns, grandparents or people with weakened immune systems.
  • Stay home if they have a fever. 

Your pharmacist is there for you!

If your child contracts a common childhood illness, your pharmacist can be a valuable resource. For example, they can recommend age-appropriate over-the-counter products to alleviate symptoms. If they determine that the illness is more serious, they can also direct you to the appropriate medical resource, such as a walk-in clinic or emergency room. Don’t hesitate to stop by the pharmacy for professional advice.