characteristics of toddlers and preschoolers that interfere with infection control?

Answer 1

1. Lack of hygiene (don't always wash hands before eating, may not sneeze or cough into hands or tissue, etc..)

2. Constant sharing: We teach our kids to share...share books, share toys, etc and if trying to contain an infectios disease, this could cause problems

3. Socialization: Kids want to be social. They like to play with other kids. Being around other people can spead certain infections and diseases

4. No knowledge of social norms: This is kind of a combo of the previous 3. Children don't know that people have "personal space" and may touch you or speak to another right in front of their face for example. They do not know that sneezing into their hands is bad. In the case of a toddler, they may not know that sticking their hands into mommy or daddy's mouth is bad...they just want to see whats inside.

5. Curious nature: Kids get into things that can be dangerous just because they are curious. They dig through dirt to see what's there. They touch other people to feel if another person's skin is as soft as theirs.

Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but this is what pops into my head as a parent.

Answer 2

They put things in their mouths, including their own hands and fingers.
They don't know proper ettiquette like covering your mouth when you sneeze.
They don't care to walk around with snot dripping out their nose or they'll wipe it off with their hands and clothes.
They don't care to play with the blocks that the snotty nosed kid just germed all over.