Flu. Flu typically starts suddenly and manifests itself in a high temperature (above 38 °C), dry cough, sore throat, headache and muscle pain, fatigue and weakness. In rarer cases flu may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.
Herpes viral infection. In 2-7 days after exposure to the virus the skin and/or mucous membrane, previously only red, start to feel itchy and burn, with the appearance of painful blisters. If blisters (rash) affect the genital area, the patient may feel pain when urinating, the lymph nodes in the groin may be enlarged. The patient may show general symptoms of an illness, such as fever, overall weakness, muscle pain, and headache.
Rotavirus infection. Rotavirus manifests itself in vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, and general intoxication of the body. It is more common in the cold season. There is an increase in morbidity in Lithuania in the months of December–April.
Measles. The disease starts with fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. After 1-2 days, a rash appears: first on the head and then it spreads to cover the waist and limbs. As the rash disappears it leaves behind brownish pigmentation which persists for some time. With measles, the virus often causes complications: lung inflammation (pneumonia), larynx damage (croup), laryngitis, otitis, in rarer cases – brain inflammation (encephalitis). The most reliable preventative measure against measles is vaccination. In Lithuania the combined measles-epidemic parotitis (mumps)-rubella conjugate vaccine (MMR) is used.
Meningococcal infection. Having a meningococcal infection can range from carrying meningococcus in the nasopharynx symptom-free to suffering from a severe and life-threatening acute meningococcal disease. All clinical forms of the infection are accompanied with fever and symptoms of general intoxication: at first, the patient has a higher temperature, headache, may experience muscle pain, stiff neck, or start vomiting. The tell-tale sign of a meningococcal infection is the skin rash. Once recovered, the patient does not develop a long-term immunity, which means that they can get a meningococcal infection in the future. The most effective preventative measure against this dangerous disease is vaccination.
Tetanus. Tetanus bacteria make spores, to which the body is exposed through contaminated wounds. The chances of contracting tetanus are considerably increased if the patient is injured when using garden tools, old rusty nails or other contaminated objects, which allow the spores to enter the wound. The patient usually starts to display the symptoms of the disease a week after being exposed to the spores, but they can also show after a few days or months. The disease develops gradually. The first symptoms might be short muscle spasms and numbness at the site of exposure. Later the patient suffers muscle contractions of different intensity. Once recovered, the patient does not build up natural immunity, therefore, it is important to keep in mind that the most effective preventative measure against this dangerous disease is vaccination. Infants and children are vaccinated against tetanus following the children’s prophylactic immunisation schedule. Persons over 26 are advised to get revaccinated against tetanus every ten years.