Follow the links below to more information about infectious diseases relevant to kids' and teens' health.
- Chickenpox
Chickenpox, caused by the varicella zoster virus, is a highly infectious disease which mostly affects children. - Chickenpox complications
Chickenpox is usually a mild viral illness, but serious complications sometimes occur. - Childhood rashes
Distinguish between the common childhood rashes of rubella, measles, chickenpox and fifth disease and find out how long your child is infectious for. - Colds: commonsense not antibiotics
All you need to know about the common cold and how to relieve symptoms. - Fifth disease
Erythema infectiosum (EI), often referred to as the Vth (fifth) disease, is due to a virus known as parvovirus B19. - Gastroenteritis in children
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the bowel that causes diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting. Find out more about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gastroenteritis. - Glandular fever
Find out about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) - sometimes called the kissing disease. - Haemophilus influenzae
The bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) can cause meningitis and epiglottitis. - Hand, foot and mouth disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood illness that is caused by a virus. Read about the symptoms, treatment and how to prevent infection. - Immunising your child
Vaccinations give your child immunity to diseases and protect them from their adverse effects. - Impetigo
Impetigo is a very contagious skin infection. It is most common in children and infants, and is more likely when children start attending daycare centres or schools. - Infectious diseases: when can my child go back to school or child care?
Use this guide to determine how long your child should stay away from school or child care. - Measles vaccination
Measles is a highly infectious virus infection that now occurs rarely in Australia due to widespread vaccination. - Measles: what you need to know
Measles is a very infectious illness that mostly affects children. It is caused by a virus and is spread from child to child by coughing, sneezing or sometimes kissing. - Meningitis and my child: Beth Egan's experience
Read the real-life story of how Beth Egan coped when her daughter Sophie contracted pneumococcal meningitis. - Meningitis in children
Meningitis means inflammation of the meninges — the lining around the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. - Meningitis: signs and symptoms
Meningitis can occur suddenly and requires immediate treatment by a doctor. Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for. - Meningitis: types
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes (called meninges) surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. - Meningococcal disease
Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by the meningococcus bacterium. - Meningococcocal vaccine programme approved
The Government has approved a vaccination programme to help protect at-risk Australians from meningococcal disease. - Mumps
Find out about the symptoms, treatment, and complications of mumps, as well as how to prevent this disease. - Pneumococcal disease: what you need to know
Pneumococcal disease refers to illness caused by infection with the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (sometimes shortened to Strep. pneumoniae). - Pneumonia in children
Sometimes respiratory infections can develop into pneumonia in children. Symptoms are rapid breathing and cough. The cause may be bacterial or viral or mycoplasma. - Polio: what you need to know
Polio is an infectious disease that can cause permanent muscle weakness, paralysis, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening. - Rubella
Rubella (also called German measles) is generally a mild illness caused by a virus, but it can cause birth defects if pregnant women become infected. - Vaccination
Vaccination is one of the most important public health measures in the world. - Vaccination: Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule
An easy guide to the Australian Standard Vaccination Schedule showing which jabs and vaccines you need. - Whooping cough
Whooping cough (pertussis) is one of the most serious bacterial infections that can affect children, especially those under 1, but it can be prevented with vaccination. - Whooping cough overview
Whooping cough is a highly infectious disease that causes sudden attacks of coughing that often end in a high-pitched whooping sound.
