Viruses are small infectious organisms that are much smaller than a fungus or bacterium. Viruses must invade a living cell to reproduce (see Overview of Viral Infections).
Most childhood viral infections are not serious. They can cause a wide variety of symptoms such as fever, cold symptoms (such as stuffy or runny nose), sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea, rash, body aches, and fatigue. Some viral infections that can cause more serious disease, such as measles and influenza (flu), are less common or less severe now than in the past due to widespread immunization. (For adults, see also Overview of Viral Infections.)
Some viral infections in children include:
Chickenpox (varicella)
Many viral infections are so distinctive that a doctor can diagnose them based on their symptoms and the physical examination. A doctor often does not need to have a laboratory identify the specific virus involved.
Although most children with a viral infection get better without treatment, doctors sometimes suggest treating fever and body aches with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Aspirin is not given to children or adolescents with these symptoms because it increases the risk of Reye syndrome in those who have certain viral infections. Other treatments, particularly in children with vomiting or diarrhea, are focused on preventing dehydration.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections and are not used for viral infections. However, there are antiviral medications available for a few viral infections such as hepatitis, some herpesviruses, influenza, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Many childhood viral infections are preventable with vaccines, including measles, mumps, rubella, rotavirus, influenza, and bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Some Viral Infections in Children That Cause a Rash
Infection | Incubation Period* | Contagious Period† | Site of Rash | Nature of Rash in Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Measles (rubeola) | 7 to 21 days (an average of 11 to 12 days) | From 4 days before until 4 days after the rash appears | Starts on the face around the ears and on the side of the neck Spreads to the trunk, arms, palms, soles, and legs | Begins 3 to 7 days after fever and other symptoms start and lasts 4 to 7 days Red in people with light skin and can be purplish or darker than the surrounding area in people with dark skin Flat at first then becomes raised and merges into larger red areas |
Rubella (German measles) | 17 days Can be as short as 12 days or as long as 23 days | From 1 week before until 1 week after the rash appears (Except in newborns, who usually continue to be contagious for many months) | Starts on the face and neck Spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs | Begins a 1 to 5 days after fever and other symptoms begin and lasts 3 to 5 days Similar to measles rash but not as red and does not merge to form large red areas |
Roseola infantum (exanthem subitum or pseudorubella) | About 9 to 10 days | Unknown | Starts on the chest and abdomen and usually spreads to the face, arms, and legs | Begins after a high fever decreases and lasts for a few hours to 2 days Red and flat, not itchy |
Erythema infectiosum (fifth disease or parvovirus B19 infection) | 4 to 14 days | From before the start of the rash until the rash appears | Starts on the cheeks ("slapped-cheek" appearance) Spreads to the arms, legs, and trunk but not the palms or soles | Begins several days after fever and other symptoms begin and lasts 5 to 10 days Red, raised, blotchy areas with lacy patterns Can be itchy |
Chickenpox (varicella) | 14 to 16 days (full range 10 to 21 days) | 1 to 2 days before the first spots appear until all spots have crusted | Starts on the face and trunk Spreads to the arms and legs | Begins 1 to 2 days after the start of fever and other symptoms and lasts 4 to 7 days until all spots are crusted over; healing of crusted spots takes longer Rash appears in crops of small, red spots that become raised and form very itchy, round, blisters that then crust over |
* The incubation period is the number of days between when a person becomes infected with a virus (or other infections organisms, such as bacteria) and when symptoms begin. | ||||
† The contagious period is the time period that an infected person can spread an infection to others. Infections can spread during the contagious period even if people do not have symptoms. | ||||
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