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  • Bedbugs—Child Care and Schools

    Small insects that feed on human blood by biting through the skin. They are most active between 2:00 and 5:00 am. They can travel 10 to 15 feet to feed and go without feeding for up to 6 months. They cause itchy bites. Bedbugs are not known to transmit or spread disease.

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  • Bites (Human and Animal)—Child Care and Schools

    Biting is very common among young children but usually does not lead to serious infectious disease issues. If the skin is broken, bacteria introduced into the wound can cause a tissue infection that needs to be treated by a health professional. If blood is drawn into the mouth of the biter or if the

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  • Boil/Abscess/Cellulitis—Child Care and Schools

    These are bacterial infections of the skin that usually begin from a scratch or bug bite and progress to a red nodule that fills with pus. Boils are superficial infections with a thin layer of skin over fluid; abscesses are generally larger and deeper with redness and painful swelling over an area filled

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  • Bronchiolitis and Your Young Child

    Bronchiolitis is a common respiratory illness among infants. One of its symptoms is trouble breathing, which can be scary for parents and young children. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about bronchiolitis, causes, signs and symptoms, how to treat it, and how to prevent

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  • COVID-19 Vaccines - Answers to Common Questions

    Answers to common questions about COVID-19 vaccination.

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  • COVID-19: What Families Need to Know

    COVID-19, discovered in December 2019, quickly became a global pandemic. Doctors and researchers continue to learn more about it every day. Safe and effective vaccines are now available, offering hope for an end to the pandemic. Until everyone is vaccinated, however, the virus continues to spread.

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  • Campylobacter—Child Care and Schools

    A type of bacteria that can cause infection of the intestines

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  • Chickenpox (Varicella-Zoster Infections)—Child Care and Schools

    An illness with rash and fever caused by the varicella-zoster virus

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  • Clostridium difficile (Also Called “C diff”)—Child Care and Schools

    A spore- and toxin-forming bacteria that causes diarrhea

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  • Common Childhood Infections

    Most infections are caused by germs called viruses and bacteria. While you may be able to keep germs from spreading, you can't always keep your child from getting sick. It is important for parents to know how to keep their children healthy and what to do when they get sick. Read on to learn more from

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  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Diagnosed or Suspected

    Information and guidance on when COVID-19 is diagnosed or suspected.

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  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention

    Information and guidance on preventing COVID-19 infection.

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  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) or Influenza - How to Tell

    Information and guidance on similarities and differences of COVID-19 and influenza infections.

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  • Cryptosporidiosis—Child Care and Schools

    An intestinal infection caused by a parasite (Cryptosporidium hominis or C parvum)

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  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection—Child Care and Schools

    A viral infection common in children (Up to 70% of normal children aged 1 to 3 years in group care settings excrete cytomegalovirus [CMV].)

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  • Dental Caries (Early Childhood Caries, Tooth Decay, or Cavities)—Child Care and Schools

    Early childhood caries (commonly called cavities) is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Caries are the result of an infectious disease process that damages tooth structure and makes holes in the teeth. The consequences of early childhood caries are much more than unattractive teeth. Early

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  • Diaper Rash—Child Care and Schools

    A shiny red rash, pinker than usual skin, or red bumps in the diaper area that may be caused by a yeast called Candida. There are other causes of diaper rash that produce a similar skin appearance but are not caused by an infection.

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  • Diarrhea Caused by Specific Types of E coli (Escherichia coli)—Child Care and Schools

    Although many types of Escherichia coli (E coli) bacteria live normally in the intestinal tract, at least 5 types are known to cause diarrhea. Shiga toxin–producing E coli has caused numerous outbreaks in group care settings. Infections with Shiga toxin–producing E coli may be associated with other

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  • Diarrhea—Child Care and Schools

    An illness in which someone develops more watery and frequent stools than is typical for that person. Diarrhea can be caused by changes in diet, such as drinking excessive amount of fruit juice, eating more than the usual amounts of certain foods, and the use of some medications. Diarrhea also can be

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  • Ear Infection—Child Care and Schools

    There are 2 common types of ear infections: otitis media (middle ear infection) and otitis externa (swimmer’s ear). Most ear infections of young children occur in the middle ear.

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  • Fever—Child Care and Schools

    Fever is an elevation of the normal body temperature. Fever is most commonly caused by a viral or bacterial infection, but it can be a sign of illnesses not caused by infections, such as exercising in a very warm environment, rheumatoid arthritis, a reaction to a vaccine or medication, or cancer.

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  • Fifth Disease (Human Parvovirus B19)—Child Care and Schools

    Common viral infection with rash occurring 1 to 3 weeks after infection

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  • Giardiasis—Child Care and Schools

    An intestinal infection caused by a parasite (Giardia intestinalis)

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  • HIV/AIDS—Child Care and Schools

    Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection affects the body in a wide variety of ways. In the most severe infection, the virus progressively destroys the body’s immune system, causing a condition called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). With early testing and appropriate treatment, children

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  • Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease—Child Care and Schools

    A common set of symptoms associated with viral infections that are most frequently seen in the summer and fall. Despite its scary name, this illness generally is mild. Most commonly caused by coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71.

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