Everyday Pests and Illnesses Children Can Catch

When children play together in places like daycares and schools, they often pass around common illnesses and bug infestation problems.

• Germs like bacteria, viruses, and fungi cause infections. These germs live in things like feces (poop), saliva (spit), mucous (snot), and the droplets we release when we cough or sneeze or when hands are not washed. They can spread by touching someone who’s sick, touching dirty surfaces, or by eating or drinking something that’s been contaminated.
• Infestations happen when bugs like lice, mites, or fleas live on or in the body. Children usually catch these bugs by being in close contact with someone who has them or by sharing things like hats, combs, or bedding.

Children are more vulnerable to illness and infestations because their immune systems are still developing and because of the close-contact settings within daycares and schools. The good news? Most illnesses and infestations are mild, don’t last long, and usually don’t need a doctor.

Parents can help keep kids healthy by learning how these illnesses and infestations spread, how to spot the signs and what to do if they occur. Some common ones include:

• Giardia (Beaver Fever)
• Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (Coxsackievirus)
• Head Lice
• Impetigo
• Scabies (The Itch)
• Pinworms
• Pinkeye
• Ringworm

Decreasing the risk of infection is our best defense against becoming sick.

Using healthy habits helps to keep germs out of our bodies and stops sickness from spreading.

• Vaccines protect kids from getting sick before the illness even starts—keeping them safe and healthy.
• Washing or sanitizing hands is one of the easiest ways to stop germs from spreading.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow keeps germs from flying into the air and making others sick.
• Staying home when you’re sick is one of the best ways to keep others from catching what you have.

What should I do if my child gets sick?

Make sure they drink lots of fluids (water is best) and get plenty of rest. Many illnesses don’t need medicine, and fevers don’t always need treatment.

When should I take my child to a doctor or nurse practitioner?

The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends seeing a healthcare provider if your child:

• Has a fever and is under six months old
• Has a fever that lasts more than 72 hours
• Has a cough that lasts more than a week or causes choking or vomiting
• Has an earache
• Seems very sleepy or hard to wake
• Cries constantly or seems very irritable
• Has trouble breathing or breathes very fast
• Has diarrhea and is under six months old
• Has bloody or black poop
• Vomits for more than 4–6 hours
• Shows signs of dehydration (dry sticky mouth, no tears, no urine or fewer than four wet diapers in 24 hours in infants and fewer than three wet diapers in 24 hours in older children).

Diseases and infestations do not only affect children. Adults can get sick from these illnesses or carry the germs without knowing it.

Services related to this information:

• Contact your Public Health Nurse.
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555.