Final answer:
Impetigo is a contagious skin infection in children, characterized by vesicles and bullae, and caused by S. aureus or S. pyogenes. P. aeruginosa infections may not respond to antibiotics and could be treated with corticosteroid creams instead. Fifth disease and roseola also affect children but present with different rashes and are caused by different pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection often found in children, resulting in vesicles, pustules, and possibly bullae. It may be caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes), or both. Diagnosis is typically made based on the characteristic appearance, but testing can include culture and susceptibility. Treatment usually involves topical or oral antibiotics, but in the case of S. pyogenes, there is a risk of serious sequelae like acute glomerulonephritis (AGN).
In cases where antibiotics are less effective, such as infections involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), which has high resistance to many antibiotics, treatment may be different. For instance, the symptoms might resolve on their own over time, and the use of a corticosteroid cream can help manage symptoms like rash and itching without killing the bacteria directly.
Fifth disease and roseola are other common contagious diseases in children. They can be distinguished from impetigo by their distinct rashes, with fifth disease causing the classic "slapped cheek" appearance and roseola showing a pink, patchy rash.Fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19 and features cold-like symptoms preceding the rash.