Healthbeat takes a look at common infectious diseases in young children that can spread quickly through child care settings. The names sound more alarming that the actual disease, but children showing signs of any contagious disease should be excluded from child care until they are no longer contagious.

Pinworm is the most common worm infection in the United States. School-age children, followed by preschoolers, have the highest rates of infection. In some groups nearly 50% of children are infected. Infection often occurs in more than one family member. Adults are less likely to have pinworm infection, except mothers of infected children. Child care centers, and other institutional settings often have cases of pinworm infection.

Pinworms are about the length of a staple and live in the rectum of humans. While an infected person sleeps, female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and deposit eggs on the surrounding skin. This causes itching of the area, irritability and sleeplessness, the common signs of infection. Pinworms can survive up to 2 weeks on clothing, bedding, or other objects. Individuals can become infected easily, usually through ingesting eggs found on fingers or contaminated surfaces. Treatment usually involves a prescription or over-the-counter medication given in a two dose course

Many people are unaware they are infected, so it is important to follow the basic hygiene practices to avoid passing the pinworm to others.
" Bathe when you wake up to help reduce the egg contamination.
" Change and wash underwear each day. Frequent changing of night clothes are recommended.
" Change underwear, night clothes, and sheets after each treatment. Because the eggs are sensitive to sunlight, open blinds or curtains in bedrooms during the day.
" Personal hygiene should include washing hands after going to the toilet, before eating and after changing diapers.
" Trim fingernails short.
" Discourage nail-biting and scratching bare anal areas.

Campylobacteriosis is one of the most common causes of bacterial diarrhea in the United States. Most people who become ill with campylobacteriosis get diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever within 2 to 5 days after exposure to the organism. Most people recover without specific treatment, although patients should drink large amounts of fluid to prevent dehydration.

Fifth Disease is a mild rash illness that occurs most commonly in children. The ill child typically has a "slapped-cheek" rash on the face and a lacy red rash on the trunk and limbs. Occasionally, the rash may itch. An ill child may have a low-grade fever, malaise, or a "cold" a few days before the rash breaks out. The child is usually not very ill, and the rash resolves in 7 to 10 days. The child is contagious only prior to the outbreak of the rash and the illness spreads much like that of a cold.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common illness of infants and children caused by the coxsackie virus. It is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters. HFMD begins with a mild fever, poor appetite, malaise ("feeling sick"), and frequently a sore throat. One or 2 days after the fever begins, painful sores develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. They are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. The skin rash develops over 1 to 2 days with flat or raised red spots, some with blisters. The rash does not itch, and it is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It may also appear on the buttocks. A person with HFMD may have only the rash or the mouth ulcers.

Ringworm is a scalp and skin disease caused by exposure to many different types of fungi. People with ringworm can have a ring-shaped rash that is reddish and may be itchy. The rash can be dry and scaly or wet and crusty. The disease can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Scabies is a skin infestation of a mite which spreads rapidly. The sign of scabies are:
Pimple-like irritations, burrows or rash of the skin, especially the webbing between the fingers; the skin folds on the wrist, elbow, or knee; the penis, the breast, or shoulder blades.
" Intense itching, especially at night and over most of the body.
" Sores on the body caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected with bacteria.

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a viral or bacterial inflamation of the eye, causing redness, and yellow pus discharge. Both the bacterial and viral infections are contagious, so make sure your child does not share towels, washcloths and pillows Careful hand-washing is the most important preventive measure.

Chickenpox , one of the most common childhood diseases, is a mild disease, uncomfortable, but not dangerous. In NJ, all children born after January 1, 1997 are required to be immunized prior to enrolling in child care or school. The disease is characterized by itching red spots and often a low grade fever. Chickenpox can be spread very easily from person to person. It is spread through the air, by coughing or sneezing, or even talking. It can also be spread by contact with fluid from the blisters. It usually takes 2-3 weeks from the time a child is exposed to chickenpox virus until he or she becomes ill. The disease is contagious from 1 or 2 days before the rash appears until all the blisters are dried up, which usually takes 4 to 5 days.