Biomedical subjects

Mike Starr

Publications and source records attributed to Mike Starr.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Slapped cheek disease. How it affects children and pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Slapped cheek disease, otherwise known as erythema infectiosum (EI) or 'fifth disease', is a common cause of fever and rash in children. OBJECTIVE: The clinical features in children, and the implications for pregnant contacts will be discussed in this article. DISCUSSION: Erythema infectiosum is usually a mild self limiting illness in children. Patients are unlikely to be infectious after the rash and other symptoms are present, and children do not need to be excluded from school or childcare. Infection in pregnant women under 20 weeks gestation can lead to miscarriage or hydrops, but in 50% of cases the fetus is unaffected. Pregnant women who are IgM positive require appropriate specialist referral and serial ultrasounds.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Hand, foot and mouth disease.

BACKGROUND: Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness of infants and children. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to describe the cause, presentation, management and infectivity of this virus. DISCUSSION: Hand, foot and mouth disease is characterised by fever and vesicles in the mouth and on distal extremities. It is usually caused by coxsackie A virus and less commonly by coxsackie B and enterovirus 71. Hand, foot and mouth disease usually affects children under 10 years of age. Enteroviruses may also cause more serious disease such as meningoencephalitis and myocarditis. Treatment is symptomatic. Children are particularly infectious until the blisters have disappeared. Exclusion from school or childcare is not practical as the virus may be present in the faeces for several weeks.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Head lice.

BACKGROUND: Head lice infestation is a very common problem in children and causes a high level of anxiety among parents and childcare workers. OBJECTIVE: In this article we attempt to clarify issues of diagnosis and treatment of head lice and offer recommendations for dealing with head lice. DISCUSSION: Head lice are a nuisance, but they do not transmit infectious diseases. Control includes detection with wet comb technique. Treatment is usually with a topical pediculicide, but regular mechanical removal with conditioner and a comb is an alternative. Treatment failure can be the result of inadequate application of the treating product, pediculicide resistance, or failure to re-treat at 7-10 days. Reinfestation (and therefore apparent treatment failure) is common.

Animals↗