48 An infectious disease is caused by microscopic germs (bacteria or viruses) that enter the body and cause problems. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES AND VACCINATIONS Contagious diseases are infectious diseases that spread from person to person. Main contagious diseases in childhood Antibiotics are not useful when treating illnesses caused by viruses. See unit 1.2 for more information on vaccines. Chickenpox is caused by the herpes zoster virus which causes itchy and red spots or blisters on the arms, legs, and face. It spreads by coughing and sneezing and needs no special medical treatment as it is usually mild and fades after 4-8 days. Some medication may be taken to relieve itching. Measles is a serious respiratory infection from a virus whose symptoms include: fever, full body rash, and symptoms similar to the flu. The illness must run its course and doesn t require any special medical treatment. The rash may last 5-6 days. Plenty or liquids and rest are advised. Mumps spreads through saliva and affects salivary glands which swell and hurt. It can cause a high fever, headache, loss of appetite, and pain. No antibiotic is needed and treatment just relieves symptoms. It can last from 15 to 20 days. Mumps may cause sterility in male adults. According to the WHO, in 2022 the vaccine against tuberculosis was still the most widespread in the world, with a coverage level of 87 percent, followed by DTP (diphetria/tetanus/ pertussis), polio, and hepatitis B at 84%. blister: bolla chickenpox: varicella measles: morbillo men B: meningococco B mumps: parotite patch: placca rubella: rosolia 104 BABIES AND CHILDREN Rubella usually spreads by contact or sharing food or drinks. Its virus causes a red rash all over the body. No specific medical treatment apart from those to keep symptoms under control is needed. It is highly contagious and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women who risk passing it on to their unborn child. Scarlet fever is caused by a group A streptoccocus. The symptoms include a mild fever, a sore throat with white patches, rash, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. It can be treated with antibiotics and lasts for about a week. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a respiratory and lung infection caused by bacteria which spreads easily and can be serious. It can last a long time and is usually treated with antibiotics. Symptoms include: coughing, wheezing, fever, and a runny nose. Vaccinations in Italy With Decree Law 73/2017 the Italian government made vaccines compulsory for children between 0 and 16 years old. At the moment, there are ten compulsory vaccinations which follow a precise time plan, covering the main contagious diseases for which there is a possibility of immunisation. The mandatory vaccines are: Chickenpox Mumps Diphteria Polio Haemophilus Rubella influenzae B Tetanus Hepatitis B Whooping cough Measles or pertussis. Other vaccinations are offered for free but not mandatory: Men B Men C Pneumococcal Rotavirus. Vaccinations in the UK Vaccines offered through the national immunisation programme in the UK are not compulsory but freely offered and recommended to all citizens according to a national schedule which provides protection against fourteen infections.