Childhood Illnesses

noun a medical condition characterized by paralysis of the muscles typically caused by poliovirus infection during childhood

• Infantile paralysis, also known as polio, is a viral disease that can lead to paralysis in young children.
• My grandma told me stories about how scary infantile paralysis used to be before the polio vaccine was developed.
• Back in the day, infantile paralysis was a real buzzkill for kids.
• The lack of funding for education is like an infantile paralysis that cripples our society's progress.

noun an infectious viral disease causing swelling of the parotid glands, especially in children

• The outbreak of mumps in the school has prompted health officials to take necessary precautions.
• I heard that Sarah caught the mumps and has to stay home from school for a while.
• I can't believe I got hit with the mumps right before finals week, what bad luck!
• The spread of rumors in the office was like a case of mumps, infecting everyone with false information.

noun a medical doctor who specializes in the care of children

adjective pediatric

• The pediatrician specializes in providing medical care for children.
• I have to take my kids to the pediatrician for their check-up tomorrow.
• My friend's mom is a pediatrician and she's super cool with the kids.
• The pediatrician is like a guardian angel for children's health.

noun an infectious disease characterized by a bright red rash, high fever, sore throat, and a strawberry tongue

• Scarlet fever is a highly contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects children.
• My little cousin had scarlet fever last month, but he's all better now.
• I heard Sally got hit with scarlet fever, poor thing.
• The scarlet fever of gossip spread quickly through the small town.

noun a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and pain in the throat

• The doctor diagnosed him with strep throat and prescribed antibiotics.
• I heard she's out sick with strep throat, poor thing.
• I feel like I'm coming down with a case of strep throat, ugh.
• His lies were like a persistent case of strep throat, impossible to ignore.

noun a type of autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the walls of medium-sized arteries throughout the body

• Kawasaki disease is a rare condition that mainly affects children under the age of five.
• My cousin was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease last year, but he's doing much better now.
• I heard that Kawasaki disease can be pretty scary for parents to deal with.
• Dealing with a difficult boss can feel like battling Kawasaki disease in the workplace.

noun a slang term for a frozen piece of mucus or nasal discharge

• The child had a snotsicle hanging from his nose during the school assembly.
• Eww, he had a snotsicle dangling from his nostril!
• I can't believe she wiped her snotsicle on the couch.
• The icicles on the roof looked like snotsicles in the winter breeze.