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Rashes are common in children. Many rashes do not need urgent attention, especially if the child is happy and the rash does not appear to bother them.

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. About 50% of adults and 90% of children with the infection have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may include fever, tiredness, stomach pain, nausea, dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).In some cases, hepatitis B can lead to liver damage or liver cancer.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be serious in young children. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. People can develop pneumonia after they have common infections such a cold, the flu or respiratory syncytial virus.People with pneumonia may have symptoms of a cold that get worse over time, rather than better. Symptoms of pneumonia include a moist cough, fever, tiredness and difficulty breathing.

Pneumococcal disease is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. The germ can cause a range of diseases, from mild ear or throat infections to severe lung infections (pneumonia) and meningitis (infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord). In Australia, pneumococcal disease is more common in winter and spring. It is a leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age, especially in First Nations children. Seniors are also at risk of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Norovirus is a common viral cause of gastroenteritis (or ‘gastro’). Vomiting is usually the main initial symptom, and there can be a lot of vomit. Other symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, fever, headache and muscle aches. Norovirus gastroenteritis can cause dehydration because of the large amount of fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.Outbreaks are common because norovirus spreads very easily and it only takes a small number of virus particles to make someone sick. The disease is more common from late winter to early summer.People who have had norovirus before can be reinfected as new strains of the virus spread around the world every few years.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. The disease is slow acting and often has no symptoms, so around half of infected people do not know they are infected. If people do experience symptoms, they can include fever, tiredness, stomach pain, nausea, dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).In the long term, hepatitis C can lead to liver damage and liver cancer. There is no vaccine, but treatment is available. 

Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus. It is rare in Australia. Some infected people, especially children, will have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can include fever, tiredness, stomach pain, loss of appetite and nausea. This is sometimes followed by dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Despite its name, the germ that causes this infection is not related to influenza ('the flu'). Until a vaccine was introduced in 1993, Hib was one of the most common cause of life-threatening bacterial infections in Australian children under 5 years old.Hib can cause swelling in the throat, which interferes with breathing, causing noises when breathing. It may block breathing altogether. It can also cause pneumonia (infection in the lungs) and infect the membranes covering the brain (meningitis), the joints, or the tissue under the skin (usually on the face).Symptoms of Hib meningitis are very similar to other types of meningitis. These include severe headache, stiff neck, fits, severe sleepiness, difficulty waking up and loss of consciousness. 

HIV is a virus that is carried in blood and body fluids and damage the immune system. Untreated infections with HIV can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). When a person has AIDS, their immune system can no longer protect their body from other diseases such as infections and cancers. HIV is a lifelong infection.Effective treatment is now available and people who take it have a near-normal life expectancy. 

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that causes a mild infection similar to a common cold or respiratory syncytial virus infection. Symptoms include cough, fever, runny or blocked nose, headache and tiredness. Complications such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia can occur in young children.

Impetigo is a skin infection that is common in school-aged children. Impetigo appears as flat, yellow, crusty or moist patches or blisters on the skin, usually on the face, arms and legs. The sores can measure 5mm or more. Impetigo spreads easily.Impetigo is caused by 2 bacteria, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. These germs often live harmlessly on and in the body, such as on the skin and in the nose. Cuts, abrasions, or dry and cracked skin can allow them to get into deeper layers of the skin and cause infections. However, healthy, intact skin can sometimes develop sores.

Measles is a highly infectious and potentially serious disease caused by a virus. The first symptoms include a fever, cough, and sore, red eyes (conjunctivitis). This is followed by a rash of large, lumpy, reddish to purplish blotches that often join up and completely cover the skin. The rash spreads over the entire body but usually disappears within 6 days.Measles often causes very serious complications, including lung infections (pneumonia) and swelling of the brain. Children with measles can be very sick, and adults with measles are usually hospitalised.The number of cases of measles in Australia has fallen dramatically over the past 15 years because of vaccination programs and other public health measures. However, overseas travellers still bring measles into Australia, so people in Australia can still catch the virus.

Mumps is an infection caused by a virus that is now uncommon in Australia because we have a vaccine for it. About one-third of people with mumps only have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they include swelling of the glands that produce saliva, high fever and headache. Men and adolescent boys may have tender testicles. Very rarely, women and adolescent girls may have abdominal pain because of inflammation of the ovaries.Serious complications can sometimes occur, including swelling of the spinal cord and brain, and hearing loss. Very rarely, a person can become infertile. In extremely rare cases, a person may die.

Diseases that spread through mosquito bites are called mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes can pick up germs from biting infected animals or infected humans, but in Australia most mosquitoes do not carry disease-causing germs.The mosquito-borne diseases reported most often in Australia are Ross River virus infection, Barmah Forest virus infection, dengue fever (in northern Queensland and the Torres Strait) and malaria (usually in people who have travelled overseas). Other mosquito-borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin (West Nile) virus and Chikungunya virus are very rare.Mosquito-borne diseases cause various symptoms, which often include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and rash. Some can have rare but serious complications. For details on individual diseases, see healthdirect.

Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection caused by the molluscipox virus. The virus causes a rash of pearly, skin-coloured lumps that can appear anywhere on the body. The most common places to find them are under the arms, at the back of the knees, on the inside of the elbows, and at the tops of the thighs. The lumps are usually small, with a white centre and an indented surface.The disease is not serious and usually disappears without treatment, but this may take several months, or even longer in people whose immune defences are not working well. The infection is most common in children but has no long-term effects.

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain. A lot of different viruses can cause meningitis, including the ones that cause gastroenteritis, measles, mumps, chickenpox and herpes.Symptoms include headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, joint pain, drowsiness or confusion, and discomfort when looking at bright lights. Although symptoms may be severe, people usually recover completely.

Meningococcal infection is a severe but uncommon infection caused by a germ called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus. There are several types of meningococcal bacteria that cause disease in humans. Most cases of meningococcal disease worldwide are caused by types A, B, C, W and Y. Vaccination against these types is available under the National Immunisation Program to give extra protection to people who are most at risk of meningococcal disease.Meningococcal infection can cause meningitis (infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord). The germ can also infect the blood, joints, eyes, lungs and skin. Symptoms in infants and young children include fever, refusing feeds, fretfulness, vomiting, a rash of reddish- purple spots or bruises, a high-pitched or moaning cry, and pale or blotchy skin. The child may be difficult to wake up.Meningococcal blood infections (septicaemia) can cause shock and death within hours ofsymptoms starting. In Australia, 5–10% of people infected with meningococcus die, even if they are treated promptly. Meningococcal disease can affect anyone; however, those at higher risk include infants, small children, adolescents and young adults.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is very infectious. Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, stomach pain, loss of appetite and nausea. This is sometimes followed by dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Symptoms can last from 1 week to several months. Children under 3 years old rarely have any symptoms. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of being infected.

Head lice are tiny insects that live in hair and feed on blood. Young children are more likely to get head live because they tend to have more head-to-head contact with other children, especially during playtime. They can cause itching of the scalp, but they do not cause disease. Lice can affect anyone, and are not a sign of dirty hair or poor hygiene.Symptoms include itchiness on the scalp, seeing live lice or nits (lice eggs) in the hair, and sores or red bumps on the scalp or neck from scratching.

Roseola is caused by a virus. It is a mild disease and is common in children aged 6 months to 3 years. It usually begins with a high fever that starts suddenly. The fever lasts 3 to 5 days and then a rash appears, usually as the child’s temperature returns to normal. The rash is usually fine, raised, red spots and can last from several hours to several days. The rash first appears on the trunk of the body and spreads to the arms and legs. The rash turns white (blanches) when pressed.