Three Day Fever (roseola infantum)
Posted by Avatar
Also called “Sixth Disease”, it is common in children characterized by high fever and a pink rash that lasts for about three days hence the name. The disease is caused by a strain of the human herpes virus and being viral, it cannot be influenced or treated with antibiotics. The high fever associated with the disease should be managed and carefully monitored for as with any disease accompanied by high fever, proper cooling and hydration should be observed. Common medication such as paracetamol and other variants can be given to lower the fever accompanied by lots of fluids such as fruit juice and other non-carbonated liquids (water has little electrolyte content and can even induce dehydration). If possible obtain electrolyte liquids such as Pedialyte or other oral rehydration fluids to prevent excessive dehydration. The incubation period is between 10 to 15 days and is contagious during the whole period (three days at the most) so avoid exposing children under three years of age to prevent a similar infection to that child.
Dengue Fever
Posted by Avatar
One of the leading killers in developing countries that is linked to mosquitoes and their life cycle and feeding. The disease is caused by any of four related viruses and being viruses, there is no known cure for unlike bacterial infections that can be treated with broad spectrum antibiotics. Infection from a bite of an infected mosquito might expose one from one of the four viruses but unlike other forms of viruses where immunity to the family of viruses is acquired after exposure, with dengue it seems to exaggerate the effects of subsequent infections that results in hemorrhagic fever. 
The virus works by rupturing the blood vessels of the infected person resulting in blood oozing into the surrounding tissue. Incubation is swift, that after three days of high fever, rashes begin to develop, and then bleeding occurs. One clinical test is with the use of a simple tourniquet test which shows the ruptured blood vessels and capillaries, but little can be done to stop the ravaging disease. Hospital confinement is recommended for close monitoring of the blood count especially the platelet counts which is indicator of the progression or regression of the disease. It also allows management and complication management that would otherwise be next to impossible in the home. Bleeding from the gums, nose and eyes is sign of advanced stages of the disease and usually almost signifies certain death. Similar to the famed Ebola virus, it is a new generation of virus that seems to come from apes and monkeys , jumping the species barrier towards humans. Very dangerous to children for their small bodies are so fragile and gets affected faster and thus the risk of complications is high.
Rotavirus
Posted by editor
Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhea and severe infection (rotavirus gastroenteritis) in infants and young children. It is a very contagious infection, that is usually spread when kids or adults do not wash their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting followed by abdominal cramps and frequent, watery diarrhea.
The AAP now recommends that the rotavirus vaccine, called RotaTeq, be included in the lineup of routine immunizations given to all infants. This is usually given in three oral doses at 2, 4 and 6 months.
Frequent hand washing is also the best way to limit the spread of this virus. Because this is a viral illness, antiobiotics will not be used to treat a rotavirus infection. To prevent dehydration, give your child special drinks that will replace body fluids, such as an oral rehydration solution. Do not give fruit juices or soft drinks as this may make the diarrhea worse. For kids with moderate to severe dehydration, treatment with intravenous fluids in a hospital may be needed.
Guessing: Good or Bad?
Posted by Alex
Image source: www.e-a-rfit.com
Though people frequently think of mathematics as a summit of intellectual achievement of humankind, research reveals that some instinct about numbers, counting and mathematical ability is basic to almost all animals. For example, creatures that gather or hunt for food keep track of the approximate number of food items they procure in order to return to the places where they get the most sustenance. Humans share this very basic “number sense,” allowing them, at a glance, to estimate the number of people in a subway car or bus, Halberda says.
The students were flashed a group of yellow and blue dots, and had to estimate which colour group was bigger.
The Johns Hopkins team wondered whether this basic, seemingly innate number sense had any bearing on the formal mathematics that people study in school. So the researchers asked 64 14-year-olds to look at flashing groups of yellow and blue dots on a computer screen and estimate which dots were more numerous. Though most of the children easily arrived at the correct answer when there were (for example) only 10 blue dots and 25 yellow ones, some had difficulty when the number of dots in each set was closer together. Those results helped the researchers ascertain the accuracy of each child’s individual number sense. (You can test your own number sense on the New York Times website.)
Fifth Disease (erythema infectiosum)
Posted by Avatar
The childhood disease is a mild one and is caused by a virus so no antibiotic would be effective against it. It has no lasting effects and is characterized by red specks on the nose, cheeks, arms buttocks and thighs that are often blurred making it look as if the child has been slapped. Also called the “slapped cheek” syndrome, it can last for 14 days but is rarely accompanied by fever in children between age 4 and 12. The disease is an untreatable one and it usually goes away by itself. The infection manifests itself about two weeks after exposure and when the rashes appear, it is usually not infectious anymore. Pregnant women should avoid exposure to the disease for it is infectious and can lead to miscarriages. If you suspect contact with a child that is infected by the disease, contact a doctor immediately for close monitoring of you and the unborn fetuses health.