Monkeypox, hepatitis, and measles cases are all on the rise in the UK, which could be cause for concern for many parents.
All three diseases could severely effect younger people, in some cases proving fatal, so it is important to know the symptoms as well as the things you can do to protect your child.
While they are all spreading through the UK at the same time, they are not connected to each other as far as medical experts are aware.
Here is all you need to know about the monkeypox, hepatitis, and measles cases in the UK.
Monkeypox
Monkeypox has been dominating headlines lately, the virus which has existed in Africa for a number of years is now spreading across Europe.
There are currently 106 cases in the UK, with three of those cases being in Scotland.
The UKHSA says the risk to the overall population is low, but it can have more significant effects on immune-suppressed individuals and younger people says Dr Susan Hopkins.
The condition can involve general sickness followed by a smallpox-like rash. People have been assured that it will likely not spread as easily as Covid-19 did, as monkeypox is not airborne.
It is instead spread by touch most typically, but can also be spread by infected animals, contaminated foods, as well as coughing or sneezing.
It can be avoided with good hand-hygiene and eating thoroughly cooked meats.
There is no single treatment as it could depend on the severity of the illness, although many who have been in contact with infected people have been offered smallpox vaccines, which are effective against monkeypox.
Hepatitis
The root cause of the UK hepatitis outbreak in children isn't clear, however some believe it could be due to lockdowns, when children were mixing far less than usual.
Simon Taylor-Robinson, medical expert Imperial College London, told Reuters: "This may be an over-response to stimulation to the immune system that is not used to such insult.
"That is a good theory."
There have been 222 cases of hepatitis in children aged 10 and under, 31 of which were in Scotland.
Of the UK cases 17 have needed a liver transplant and one has sadly died of liver failure.
The condition attacks the liver and is spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces according to UKHSA advice.
They said: "The most effective way to reduce the spread of infections is to practice good hand and respiratory hygiene.
If your child is suffering from breathing difficulties, is not eating or drinking, or if they develop jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin) you should call the NHS on 111 or call your GP.
Measles
Measles cases are on the rise as MMR vaccine rates drop to just 85.5 per cent in the UK.
The World Health Organisation have called this a "global measles epidemic" saying yearly numbers have risen from 10,000 cases or less in the first two months of past years to 17,000 in 2022.
Around 73 million people across the world who could get the MMR vaccine haven’t had it, and one doctor warns that it could lead to a loss of herd immunity.
Dr Stuart Sanders of The London General Practice told the Express : "This is caused by the fall in the uptake of measles vaccination which started in the 1970s due to the spread of misinformation about the vaccine.
"Vaccination uptake further fell as a consequence of a fraudulent paper written by Professor Andrew Wakefield, published in the prestigious medical journal, The Lancet; the article was subsequently withdrawn but it caused immense damage to confidence in measles vaccination."
He adds that vaccine scepticism has been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic.
He suggests parents isolate their children if they are showing symptoms, which include deterioration in their clinical condition, persistent or prolonged fever, and rejection of food or water among others.
Parents should call a doctor if they are concerned about symptoms for these illnesses outlined above.
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