What Kids Catch: Two Childhood Diseases
Some types of diseases in the United States are more common in children, including two that are preventable with vaccines:
- Whooping cough: Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a contagious respiratory disease that can be especially serious in infants. As the name suggests, the key symptom of whooping cough is a hacking cough followed by a “whoop” sound as the sick person inhales sharply. Other symptoms may include a stuffy nose, sneezing, or a mild fever.
- Chicken pox: With the introduction of the chicken pox (also known as varicella) vaccine, the incidence of this once-common infection has dropped in the U.S. But chicken pox is highly contagious, and unvaccinated children are still at risk. Symptoms of chicken pox include the characteristic itchy, red bumps that then turn into blisters and eventually scab over. Other symptoms include abdominal pain and loss of appetite, headache, fever, and general discomfort.
Talk to your clinician to be sure that your children’s vaccinations are up to date. He or she can provide information about vaccines and address any concerns that you may have. Use our free clinician finder to locate a clinician in your area.
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