Discussed in this publication are infectious illnesses for which children attending day care appear to be at special risk. Also covered are the common cold, some infectious disease problems receiving media attention, and some other annoying but not serious diseases, such as head lice, pinworms, and contagious skin conditions. Causes, characteristics, symptoms, treatment, prophylaxis, and/or seriousness of diseases, as well as public attitudes toward them, are discussed. Focusing on respiratory diseases, chapter I describes acute upper respiratory illnesses (common cold), streptococcus sore throat, otitis media with effusion (OME), Hemophilus influenzae Type B disease (HiB), meningococcal meningitis, and tuberculosis. Chapter II concerns gastrointestinal infectious diseases, including hepatitis A, shigellosis, giardiasis, and rotavirus infection. Infections of the skin are described in chapter III. These include impetigo, fungus infections, ringworm of the scalp and body, scabies, and cold sores (herpes labialis). Other illnesses of special significance in day care are described in chapter IV: cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, chicken pox, head lice, pinworms, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Chapter V discusses immunization for diptheria/whooping cough/tetanus, the safety of immunization, and vaccination for measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella). Chapter VI suggests guidelines for dealing with communicable diseases. (RH)