When you have kids, you know germs are just part of life. Playdates, school and playgrounds are all perfect places for little ones to pick up and bring home various bugs. Even with handwashing, sanitizers and keeping a distance, it can feel like an illness is always making its way through the family.
As parents, you want to protect your children as much as possible. So how do you keep the germs at bay? And when someone catches something, how can you keep it from spreading to the rest of the family?
We spoke with Gina Montion, MD, a pediatrician with Banner Children’s, to understand some of the most common contagious illnesses kids bring home, with tips for recognizing, treating and managing them so everyone stays as healthy as possible.
1. Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
If your child wakes up with crusty, gooey eyes, pink eye might be the problem. This common eye infection spreads quickly, but it’s usually mild.
“Pink eye occurs when the conjunctiva (a membrane that covers the white part of the eyes and lines the inner eyelid) becomes inflamed,” Dr. Montion said.
What to watch for:
- Red, bloodshot eyes
- Itching or burning
- Thick, yellowish discharge (if bacterial)
- Watery eyes or crusting in the corner of the eyes (if viral)
How to treat it: Pink eye often goes away on its own. For mild cases, keep your child comfortable at home. If the discharge is thick or the eye is very red, see their health care provider, as they might need prescription eye drops.
How to stop the spread: Have everyone wash their hands often and avoid sharing towels or other items that might touch the face. Teach your children not to touch their eyes if they can help it.
2. Head lice
Nothing makes you to want to set fire to all your things like the thought of head lice. These tiny insects aren’t dangerous but they’re definitely a hassle.
“Head lice are small insects that live in human hair and feed on blood from the scalp,” Dr. Montion said.
What to watch for:
- Itchy scalp
- Small white or yellowish eggs (nits) on hair shafts
- Tiny bugs near the scalp
How to treat it: There are effective over-the-counter (OTC) treatments but follow the directions carefully. Reapply after about a week to kill any newly hatched lice.
How to stop the spread: Avoid head-to-head contact and don’t share hairbrushes, hats or pillows. Wash bedding and clothes used by the person with lice to prevent spreading.
3. Seasonal flu (influenza)
“The flu is a contagious respiratory (breathing) illness caused by the influenza virus,” Dr. Montion said. “It affects the nose, throat, airways and sometimes the lungs.”
The flu is most common in colder months. It can feel like a cold at first but usually it’s much more intense.
What to watch for:
- Fever and chills
- Sore throat and congestion
- Body aches, fatigue and headache
How to treat it: If caught early, antiviral medications can help with symptoms. Otherwise, rest and fluids are the best remedies, and most kids recover in about two weeks.
How to stop the spread: Encourage regular handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes. And don’t forget your annual flu shot. It’s one of the best ways to protect against the flu and prevent severe infection.
4. Stomach flu (norovirus)
The stomach flu can be especially miserable but usually passes within a few days. It is spread through contact with an infected person, touching a surface with the virus or eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
“Norovirus is one of the top causes of food poisoning and a common cause of viral gastroenteritis,” Dr. Montion noted.
What to watch for:
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Stomach pain and cramping
- Fever
How to treat it: The stomach flu simply needs to run its course, so keep your child hydrated and let them rest. Call their provider if they have severe symptoms or signs of dehydration.
How to stop the spread: Make sure everyone washes their hands often, especially after using the bathroom. Disinfect surfaces and wash any clothing or bedding that might be contaminated.
5. COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that spreads through the air if you are in close contact with someone with the virus.
“You can become infected if droplets and small particles that contain COVID-19 land on your eyes, nose or mouth or by touching your eyes, nose and mouth with hands that have the virus on them,” Dr. Montion said.
What to watch for:
- Fever, cough and sore throat
- Body aches and fatigue (very tired)
- Loss of taste or smell
- Trouble breathing (get medical help if this happens)
- Diarrhea (more common in children)
How to treat it: If your child has symptoms, consider a COVID-19 test and isolate them if it is positive. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen.
To prevent the spread of COVID, everyone should wash their hands often and avoid sharing personal items. If someone is sick, wear masks indoors and disinfect high-touch surfaces.
6. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
RSV is a common respiratory virus that can affect the lungs and breathing passages (the respiratory tract).
“RSV can cause mild, cold-like symptoms but can be serious for infants, some young children and older adults,” Dr. Montion said. “RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) and pneumonia.”
What to watch for:
- Wheezing or a dry cough
- Runny nose or congestion
- Fast or difficult breathing (seek help if you notice this)
How to treat it: There’s now protection against RSV.
“Pregnant people can get an RSV vaccine between weeks 32-36, which will protect the baby against RSV for 6 months,” Dr. Montion said. “Babies under 8 months old can receive an injection of antibodies against RSV. They’ll be protected the day they receive the shot.”
Most kids recover at home with rest and fluids but contact your provider if your child has trouble breathing or seems very sick.
How to stop the spread: Encourage handwashing, especially after sneezing or coughing. Avoid close contact if someone is sick.
7. Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
HFMD is a viral illness that easily spreads among young children, especially in daycare or school settings. It is usually caused by the coxsackie virus, which belongs to a group of viruses called nonpolio enteroviruses. However, other types of enteroviruses can also cause HFM in some cases.
What to watch for:
- Small red spots or sores on hands, feet and inside of the mouth
- Fever, sore throat and loss of appetite
- General fussiness or discomfort
How to treat it: HFMD usually goes away on its own. To ease discomfort, encourage your child to drink fluids and use children’s OTC pain relievers. Cold foods like popsicles can help with mouth sores.
How to stop the spread: Good handwashing is important, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers. To prevent the spread, disinfect toys, surfaces and shared items.
8. Strep throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that can cause a sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Unlike sore throats caused by viruses, strep throat requires antibiotics to be treated.
What to watch for:
- Sore throat and pain when swallowing
- Fever and red spots on the roof of the mouth
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
How to treat: “Your child will need antibiotics, like penicillin or amoxicillin, for strep throat,” Dr. Montion said. “Make sure to complete the full course, even if they feel better, to prevent complications.”
How to stop the spread: Wash hands often, and don’t share cups or utensils. Keep your child home from school until they’ve been on antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
9. Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum is a very contagious viral skin infection that causes small, harmless bumps. It’s so common that you shouldn’t be surprised if your child or family catches it. You can get molluscum if you touch someone who has it.
What to watch for:
- Small, firm bumps with a dimple in the center (usually white, pink or skin-colored)
- Bumps that appear anywhere on the body
How to treat: The good news is that it is usually mild and goes away without treatment. If further treatment is needed, talk to your child’s provider.
How to stop the spread: Don’t let your child touch or pick at the bumps and avoid sharing towels or clothing.
Takeaway
Illnesses can spread quickly, especially in homes with young children. Teaching good handwashing habits and encouraging your child to cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze can go a long way.
Don’t hesitate to contact your child’s health care provider or a Banner Health specialist with concerns about symptoms or if you need extra guidance. Keeping your family healthy may take some effort but it’s worth it.
