Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Chicken Pox

Introduction

Overview

Today we will be exploring four common childhood illnesses, and how to identify signs and symptoms whilst working in childcare. We will also be looking at the exclusion process for these illnesses and the time period for which children must the included from childcare services. The illnesses we will be exploring are:

  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Chickenpox

All children should be immunised for all the above by 18 months of age according to the State of Queensland (2015). To explore the vaccination schedule visit the following pages:

Measles

http://bchdmi.org/inside.php?topic_id=202

'The signs and symptoms of measles may include:

  • fever
  • general discomfort, illness or lack of wellbeing (malaise)
  • runny nose
  • dry cough
  • sore and red eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • red and bluish spots inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots)
  • red and blotchy skin rash that appears first on the face and hairline, and then spreads to the body.'

(Better Health Channel, 2001).

Mumps

Mumps Symptoms Children

http://tattoos.picturess.cu.cc/155252-mumps-symptoms-children

'Signs and symptoms of mumps may include:

  • fever
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • weight loss
  • swollen parotid gland (the salivary gland located just in front of the ear) on one or both sides of the face
  • painful chewing
  • painful swallowing.'

(Better Health Channel, 2015)

Rubella

http://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/rubella_1_picture/picture.h…

'About half of rubella cases are so mild that there are no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear between two and three weeks after infection. Some of the signs and symptoms of rubella may include:

  • mild fever
  • headache
  • runny nose
  • sore eyes
  • skin rash
  • swollen lymph nodes
  • joint pain.'

(Better Health Channel, 2015)

Chicken Pox

Chickenpox

http://www.amcal.com.au/health-hub-article-chickenpox

'The symptoms of chickenpox include:

  • low-grade fever
  • general discomfort, illness or lack of wellbeing (malaise)
  • intensely itchy skin rash – appears as small blisters surrounded by irregularly-shaped patches of inflamed skin known as ‘dew drop on a rose petal’ (blisters first form on the body and later on the head and limbs and the blisters usually burst and develop crusts after about five days)
  • ulcers – may develop in certain areas, including the mouth and vagina.'

(Better Health Channel, 2015)

Policies and Exclusion Period

     Read the relevant sections of Staying Healthy in Child Care Preventing infectious diseases in child care 4th edition At https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/ch43.pdf

Task

Form groups of three and choose one of the following:

  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Chickenpox

Create an A2 poster listing the signs and symptoms of your chosen illness. Afterwards present your poster to the group explaining the illness and the exclusion policy and period.

Process
  1. 20 mins: Go through the information in the introduction.
  2. 20 mins: Research the signs and symptoms of your chosen illness. Scribe these onto an A2 poster (to be displayed in the staff room). Some useful websites are:
  1. 20 mins (5 mins each): Present your poster to the rest of the group. Explain the exclusion policy on your illness and the time period for which children must be excluded, as well as the exclusion period for children who haven’t been vaccinated.
Evaluation

Criteria

Very good

Good

Poor

A2 poster created list of signs and symptoms

Poster contained a comprehensive list of signs and symptoms

Poster contained a list of signs and symptoms

Poster contained a list of some signs and symptoms

5 minute presentation covered the exclusion policy/process, the exclusion period, and the exclusion period for non-immunised children.

5 minute presentation sufficiently covered the exclusion policy/process, the exclusion period, and the exclusion period for non-immunised children.

5 minute presentation adequately covered the exclusion policy/process, the exclusion period, and the exclusion period for non-immunised children.

5 minute presentation mostly covered the exclusion policy/process, the exclusion period, and the exclusion period for non-immunised children.
Credits