Childhood Diseases

Bacteria Small in size, no nucleus or membranous organelles Cell wall Cocci Bacilli Spirilla Vibrios Gram-positive Gram-negative

Pertussis AKA: Whooping cough or 100 day cough Bordetella pertussis Was one of the most common childhood diseases and major cause of childhood mortality

Pertussis Starts out like a cold But cough becomes more severe Cough characterized by high pitch whoop. Child may turn cyanotic, cough more at night, or even vomit due to coughing attack.

Streptococcus Strep throat However: Sore throat for more than 1 week Temperature >100.4 Pus on back of throat Possible rash However: Most sore throats are not caused by bacteria

Antibiotics Target bacterial cell wall Target cell membrane Inhibit protein synthesis targets in bacterial machinery Interfere with bacterial metabolism, DNA, and RNA synthesis

Antibiotic Resistance “One of the world’s most pressing public health problems.” (CDC, 2012) What exactly is it? Factors: Parental pressure Allergies Farming Time / money

“Friendly” Bacteria Most bacteria are non-pathogenic Some bacteria are beneficial Ex: Bacteria keeps yeast in check. Antibiotics kill bacteria; yeast infection occurs Yogurt Probiotics/Prebiotics

Viruses

Viruses Core genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a capsid

Poliomyelitis (Polio) Polio = gray; Myelon = marrow of spinal cord; itis = inflammation Highly contagious May result in paralysis Vaccine preventable

Polio Eradication Is it possible?? “Hopefully by 2015 no child in the world will be paralyzed by the disease and by 2018 Polio will be wiped out.” – Bill Gates, 09/28/2012 The current eradication program…

Rotavirus Most common cause of diarrhea in infants and children. Highly contagious Symptoms: Severe diarrhea, vomiting; may lead to dehydration

Measles / Rubella Common childhood illness until vaccine. May be fatal Characterized by fever and rash Highly contagious through respiratory droplets.

Mumps Highly contagious, spread by respiratory droplets. Symptoms: malaise, headache, low-grade fever, parotitis (enlarged salivary glands)

Chicken Pox / Shingles Varicella zoster virus Herpes zoster virus Characterized by rash, fever, malaise. Contagious, spread by respiratory droplets

Vaccines Active immunity Passive immunity Acquired immunity Dead or deactivated dose of bacteria or virus injected Passive immunity Preformed antibodies from immune serum of animal injected. Acquired immunity Immune system fights live bacteria or virus

Vaccines…. A loaded topic What’s the truth?

Other… Ear ache Head lice Bed bug / Dust mite Cough Stomach ache

EV-D68 AKA: Enterovirus-D68 Children with asthma at higher risk 549 cases in 43 states as of Oct 6, 2014 Children with asthma at higher risk No specific treatment / cure Question of paralysis side effect (CDC, 2014)