WEBVTT

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The term “childhood illnesses” refers
to a number of infectious diseases

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caused by bacteria or viruses

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that are particularly common in childhood.

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Once they have been infected,

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people develop in most cases
lifelong immunity

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to the disease recurring.

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However the term is a little misleading

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as adults can also catch these diseases

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if they are not already immune.

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Typical childhood illnesses include

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• measles

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• mumps

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• rubella

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• chickenpox

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• whooping cough

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• scarlet fever

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• fifth disease (slapped cheek disease)

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• hand, foot and mouth disease

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• and roseola

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but also

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• diphtheria

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• poliomyelitis (polio)

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• and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib),
a form of meningitis or laryngitis.

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Most childhood illnesses
are relatively mild

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in otherwise healthy children
of nursery age.

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In rare cases, however,

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they may also experience
a severe form of the disease.

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Typical symptoms
of most of these diseases are

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a high temperature and skin rashes.

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Even a high temperature alone
can lead to complications

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such as febrile seizures.

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In rare cases,
some of the diseases can also

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cause other severe complications:

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These include pneumonia,
encephalitis or meningitis

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for measles, rubella and chickenpox,

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as well as rheumatic fever for rubella.

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Many childhood illnesses
can cause lasting harm.

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For example, polio
can cause permanent paralysis.

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There may sometimes be
secondary complications

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that only appear years later

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such as shingles (herpes zoster)
following a bout of chickenpox.

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Children in countries
with inadequate healthcare systems

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are more at risk from these diseases.

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In these countries
more children, as well as adults,

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die from childhood illnesses.

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In general, these diseases
are frequently more severe in adults

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and have more complications
than in children,

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particularly in adults
with pre-existing conditions.

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Newborns are also generally more likely
to have severe symptoms.

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If pregnant women are infected,

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chickenpox, measles, rubella or
fifth (“slapped cheek”) disease 

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can cause severe fetal deformities,
miscarriage or premature birth.

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There are
effective vaccination programs available

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for most of these diseases in Europe.

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The vaccination plan

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recommended by STIKO
(the Standing Committee on Vaccination)

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includes routine vaccinations for:

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• tetanus

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• diphtheria

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• and whooping cough

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• polio

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• measles

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• mumps

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• and rubella

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• chickenpox

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• and Haemophilus influenzae type b.

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In short:

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Childhood illnesses include
a very wide range of diseases

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that also have significant differences

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in terms of progression.

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The same childhood illness can also,
depending on who gets it,

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go almost unnoticed

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or have serious consequences
for those affected.

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Illnesses in children are often less severe

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than in babies and adults,

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where complications are also more common.

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Fetuses are particularly at risk
for many of these diseases.

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Overall, these illnesses pose
a significant risk

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but there are effective vaccinations
for most of them.