Teething problems

What are teething troubles?

A childhood disease is a condition caused by an infection that is widespread and easily transmitted. As a result, these diseases occur mainly in children. Usually lifelong immunity occurs afterwards, which means that this disease cannot occur again in the same person. Vaccinations are now available against most infectious diseases that typically affect children. However, if the disease does not appear in childhood and has not been vaccinated, it can affect adults as well.

The main teething problems

The classic teething problems include:

• measles

• mumps

• rubella

• Three-day fever

• chickenpox

• Scarlet fever

• Diphtheria

• poliomyelitis

These are discussed in more detail below.

measles

Measles is one of the most famous childhood diseases. They are very contagious and are transmitted by viruses. Approx. Symptoms appear 10-15 days after infection.

In the first phase, which is also known as the preliminary stage, there is a fever, runny nose, cough and inflammation of the eyes. This usually makes those affected shy of light.

A few days later, the stains typical of the disease appear in the oral cavity. These are also called Koplik spots designated. They occur in more than half of all sick people and are dark red. If these spots can be observed, this is definite evidence of measles disease.

A few days later there is a sharp rise in body temperature and a rash all over the body. These are again dark red spots that persist for about 5 days before the infection subsides.

Treatment is usually symptomatic. Complications, such as inflammation of the lungs or the brain, can only occur if the immune system is suppressed and must therefore be treated at an early stage. The measles vaccination is now one of the standard vaccinations and takes place within the first 2 years of life.

mumps

Mumps is an infection that is caused by viruses. Children between the ages of 2 and 15 are particularly affected.

The symptoms break out after 2-4 weeks, with around half of all those affected only having flu-like symptoms.

However, if the disease develops, it begins with an initially unilateral swelling of the parotid gland. The swelling is usually very painful and begins on the other side after a few days. There is also a fever and sometimes pain when chewing.

Mumps is a dangerous childhood disease mainly because of the possible complications it can cause. This includes, among other things, inflammation of the pancreas, too Pancreatitis and the inflammation of the testicles, also known as orchitis (testicular mumps). In rare cases, the latter can even lead to infertility.

Nowadays, however, this disease is hardly a threat anymore due to the vaccination. The vaccination takes place within the first two years of life together with the vaccination against measles and rubella.

rubella

Rubella is a childhood disease caused by a virus. Children aged 5-9 are most likely to be affected.

Half of all infected children show no symptoms.

The other half will develop a mild fever and a rash 2-3 weeks after transmission. This usually begins behind the ears and spreads over the entire body as the disease progresses. These are small red dots that gave the disease its name. Furthermore, the lymph nodes swell, especially in the neck area.

Occasionally there is also a slight enlargement of the spleen, which reflects the activation of the immune system.

Rubella infection is usually relatively harmless, but it can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy: Here it can lead to malformations in the unborn child. This includes in particular

• Deafness,
• Poor eyesight,
• a mental underdevelopment and
• Heart defect.

Therefore, vaccination against rubella infection is very important. It usually takes place together with the measles and mumps vaccinations and is usually carried out within the first two years of life.

chickenpox

Chickenpox is a very well-known childhood disease. They are also known as varicella because they are caused by the varicella zoster virus. The disease is very contagious and usually leads to the appearance of symptoms after about 2 weeks.

These include typical skin appearances that develop into fluid-filled blisters. Due to the intense itching, they are usually scratched up by the affected children and leave scars that are initially encrusted. Since these skin symptoms usually show up next to one another at different stages of development, this appearance is also known as the starry sky. In addition, there is the occurrence of fever, fatigue and headache.

In otherwise healthy children, the symptoms have subsided after a week. Therefore, the treatment consists mainly in the administration of drugs that reduce the itching.

If you have a weakened immune system, drugs to fight the viruses may be recommended.

A vaccination against chickenpox can be done within the first two years of life.After an infection, the affected person is immune to the disease, but if the immune system is weakened, symptoms can reappear due to the virus. This is also known as herpes zoster disease, or shingles colloquially.

whooping cough

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a childhood disease caused by bacteria.

The symptoms include the eponymous coughing fits that occur at short intervals and long inhalation. Those affected usually stick their tongues out and the body is briefly insufficiently supplied with oxygen. After the cough attack, children often vomit phlegm. These seizures should not be underestimated, especially in newborns, and must be treated with antibiotics at an early stage.

A vaccination against whooping cough is recommended and takes place within the first year of life.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever is one caused by the bacteria Streptococci transmitted childhood disease that occurs mainly between the ages of 4 and 10. Symptoms are fever and typical changes in and around the mouth. These include reddening of the cheeks, pallor around the lips, reddening of the palate, and discoloration of the tongue. This is also often referred to as raspberry tongue.

Furthermore, there is a blotchy rash, which is mainly found in the groin. Approx. a week later, the skin begins to flake and peel.

The treatment takes place with penicillin, there is no vaccination against scarlet fever.

Also read our article: The symptoms of scarlet fever.

Ringlet rubella

The childhood disease rubella is caused by a virus and mainly affects children between the ages of 5 and 15.

Many infections proceed without symptoms. If symptoms do occur, a typical reddening occurs, which initially begins on the face and is spared around the mouth. Later the redness spreads over the entire body. It usually goes back after a few days.

Especially in adults it can also lead to arthritis, i.e. inflammation of the joints. After suffering from rubella disease, those affected are immune for life. During pregnancy, the infection can be transmitted from mother to child and lead to serious consequences.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is transmitted via droplet infection, for example when sneezing, and is triggered by a virus.

As the name suggests, this childhood disease causes rashes that can be found on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands and in the area around the mouth. In some cases, the rash can be found all over the body. Furthermore, there is often an inflammation of the oral cavity with the formation of painful blisters.

The symptoms usually subside after a few days. Complications are rare. These include inflammation of the meninges, the heart muscle and the lungs.

You can find detailed information on the main page: Hand, foot and mouth disease - key information.

Three-day fever

The three-day fever, which is caused by a virus, mainly affects infants and young children.

As the name suggests, it leads to a high fever, which usually disappears after three days. In addition, there is a rash that occurs mainly on the trunk and also disappears relatively quickly. Occasionally, febrile seizures can occur during the three-day fever, which are usually harmless but should nevertheless be clarified by a doctor.

The treatment of three-day fever includes antipyretic measures.

Also read our article: Three-day fever - is it dangerous?

Impetigo infectiosa

Impetigo infectiosa, also called impetigo contagiosa, is caused by a type of streptococcal bacteria.

The skin becomes infected with characteristic symptoms. This includes the appearance of bubbles and typical honey-yellow crusts. These are particularly pronounced on the face, especially around the mouth, nose and scalp. After a few days, symptoms usually go away with no long-term consequences.

If the symptoms are pronounced, antibiotics can be useful. Otherwise no treatment is usually necessary.

Diphtheria

Diphtheria, a childhood disease, is caused by a specific bacterium. This gets into the throat through droplet infection, for example via sneezing, and there leads to the appearance of symptoms.

This includes one Tonsillar angina, i.e. the inflammation of the tonsils, which is typically associated with so-called pseudomembranes, a kind of coating on the tonsils. Alternatively, the bacterium can cause symptoms in the larynx. This leads to pronounced coughing, hoarseness and increasing whispers due to the hoarseness.

Diphtheria must be treated as quickly as possible with the administration of an antidote, otherwise serious complications can occur.

There is a standard vaccination against diphtheria.

poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is also known as polio and is caused by viruses.

If the polio virus is transmitted, over 90% of all infected people do not experience any symptoms. However, if a disease develops, it usually only consists of flu.

The viruses only attack the nerves in approx. 1-2%, causing paralysis in different parts of the body. Poliomyelitis is feared above all because of the involvement of the nerves for the respiratory muscles, since the only option that was previously used as a therapy was the so-called "iron lung", a ventilator.

Nowadays it is standard practice to vaccinate against the viruses. Only in Pakistan and Afghanistan does the disease pose a risk.

tetanus

Tetanus, also known as tetanus, is caused by offshoots of a bacterium and infects the nervous system. This leads to an uncontrolled activation of the nerves, which manifests itself in convulsive, excessive movements. The typical picture for the childhood illness consists of a jaw clamp, the convulsive so-called devil's grin and the overstretching of the back. Later on, the nerves of the respiratory muscles are also affected, which leads to a stoppage of breathing.

Fortunately, as vaccination against tetanus is standard, the otherwise necessary medication treatment is rarely needed these days.

Haemophilus influenzae diseases

Haemophilus influenzae is a bacterium that, contrary to its name, does not trigger classic influenza, but can lead to various other diseases. Since the bacterium lives in the mucous membranes, it leads to inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, bronchi, lungs and epiglottis, especially in the area of ​​the respiratory system. Other possible diseases that can be triggered by Haemophilus influenzae are inflammation of the middle ears, meninges or the heart.

Due to the vaccination against the bacterium, these diseases nowadays mainly only occur in unvaccinated small children.