are children more likely to contract an infectious disease in children services?

Answer 1

No more likely than at daycare or the grocery store... there are germs everywhere- they don't congregate at particular places more than others. Children who are in children's services have the same chance as other children to have vaccinations (and probably have had all theirs, since it is free, compared with other children who may not have insurance). However, if you work with children, you should protect yourself with Universal OSHA precautions (wear gloves, know how to change diapers correctly) and always assume that ALL children are infectious. Certain health histories (such as whether or not a child has HEP B or AIDS) is confidential, and you will probably not know if the child has something infectious or not. Protect yourself and assume the worst.

Answer 2

Unless you put a child in a plastic bubble, there is no way to guarantee them not contracting an infectious disease. In fact, you should find that the more contact they have with as many children, adults as possible, the better their immune system should cope. This is also why they have inoculations, which is a scientific method of introducing people to a mild form of the discease in order to build up their immunity.

Answer 3

I doubt it as long as the foster home they are placed in is clean and the children are kept clean and taken to the doctor when they are ill and for general check ups. A child can catch a disease anywhere from attending a play group, going to a pre-school or day care and even from attending regular school. Germs are all over the place and the best place to keep a sick child is at home.

Answer 4

I wouldn't think so. I can't think or find any reason why they would. Possibly in the past when children taken into care were likely to be placed in a residential setting with many other children and so would be exposed to more germs. Today children are probably exposed to more viruses and germs in the school setting than anywhere else.

Answer 5

Children are going to get sick, it is just a question of timing. The children who have gone to daycare are less likely to be absent from school later on. The key is to teach children to wash their hands well, not to put things in their mouth and not to drink after others.