Immunity Advisory
All parents want the best for their children and constantly worry about their well being. Children who fall sick often miss out on learning opportunities and playtime which affects their overall growth and development. In this week’s column, A/Prof Daniel Goh helps parents to clarify uncertainties regarding infections in children.
Q1: Are there any vaccinations that my child should take? Are there any side effects to vaccinations? – Evelyn Lee
A: Apart from the routine vaccines in our national immunization programme, there are several other vaccines that you should consider for your child. These include the rotavirus vaccine (given orally, only for babies less than 6 months of age), chicken pox vaccine (above 1 year old), influenza vaccine (which should be taken once a year), hepatitis A vaccine and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Do speak with your family doctor who will be able to guide you in your child’s immunization needs.
Side effects of vaccines are usually mild and self-limiting and include pain, redness and fever. Allergy to vaccines is very rare. If your child has egg allergy, she should not receive influenza or yellow fever vaccines as these contain traces of egg. The measles vaccination is safe even in a child with egg allergy. If you notice that your child develops rashes, eye swelling or breathing problems after receiving a vaccine, you should bring your child immediately to your doctor for further assessment and management.
Q2: What are auto-immune diseases and what are the symptoms? – Belinda Ang
A: Auto-immune diseases occur when the body’s immune system reacts erratically against itself and forms antibodies to attack healthy cells, tissues and organs. Some examples of auto-immune diseases include Lupus, Dermatomyositis and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The symptoms of auto-immune diseases vary according to the type of disease. Some of the symptoms can be subtle and include persistent fever, weight loss, general tiredness and malaise, persistent or recurrent skin rashes, joint pain and swelling. Do consult your doctor should your child have such symptoms.
Q3: The doctor usually prescribes a course of antibiotics for a child to clear an infection. How does it actually work against the virus? – Gloria Phua
A: Infections can be caused by bacteriae, viruses and other pathogens. Antibiotics are used to treat specific bacterial infections such as some ear and sinus infections, and some types of pneumonia. However, antibiotics have no effect on viruses at all and should not be used in viral infections such as the common cold and the u. When prescribed, it is also important for you to take your antibiotics properly and to complete the course as instructed by your doctor. Overuse/misuse of antibiotics can lead to other complications. It can also cause the development of resistant strains of bacteriae that are even more difficult to treat.
A/Prof Daniel Goh is the head of both Department of Paediatrics and Division of Paediatric Pulmonary and Sleep at the University Children’s Medical Institute, NUH. A/Prof Goh also pioneered the “I CAN!” programme (a comprehensive programme for the management of asthma and allergies in children at NUH). He is the President of the Singapore Paediatric Society and the Vice-President of the College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Singapore as well as the Vice-President and President-elect of the Asean Paediatric Federation.
DID YOU KNOW?
Childcare centres and playgrounds are ideal breeding grounds for germs that cause infections. Therefore, maintaining a high level of personal hygiene such as thorough handwashing, proper disposal of used tissue paper and staying at home when your child is unwell will help reduce the spread of infection.
The advice offered by the featured expert in this series should not be misinterpreted to be a recommendation of any product. This series provides the opinions of specialists and readers should consult their own doctors if they should have further enquiries.
From TODAY – Tuesday, 26-May-2009
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Ever wished there was something so effective and pleasant to take?
All parents want the best for their children and constantly worry about their well being. Children who fall sick often miss out on learning opportunities and playtime which affects their overall growth and development. In this week’s column, A/Prof Daniel Goh helps parents to clarify uncertainties regarding infections in children.
Q1: Are there any vaccinations that my child should take? Are there any side effects to vaccinations? – Evelyn Lee
A: Apart from the routine vaccines in our national immunization programme, there are several other vaccines that you should consider for your child. These include the rotavirus vaccine (given orally, only for babies less than 6 months of age), chicken pox vaccine (above 1 year old), influenza vaccine (which should be taken once a year), hepatitis A vaccine and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Do speak with your family doctor who will be able to guide you in your child’s immunization needs.
Side effects of vaccines are usually mild and self-limiting and include pain, redness and fever. Allergy to vaccines is very rare. If your child has egg allergy, she should not receive influenza or yellow fever vaccines as these contain traces of egg. The measles vaccination is safe even in a child with egg allergy. If you notice that your child develops rashes, eye swelling or breathing problems after receiving a vaccine, you should bring your child immediately to your doctor for further assessment and management.
Q2: What are auto-immune diseases and what are the symptoms? – Belinda Ang
A: Auto-immune diseases occur when the body’s immune system reacts erratically against itself and forms antibodies to attack healthy cells, tissues and organs. Some examples of auto-immune diseases include Lupus, Dermatomyositis and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The symptoms of auto-immune diseases vary according to the type of disease. Some of the symptoms can be subtle and include persistent fever, weight loss, general tiredness and malaise, persistent or recurrent skin rashes, joint pain and swelling. Do consult your doctor should your child have such symptoms.
Q3: The doctor usually prescribes a course of antibiotics for a child to clear an infection. How does it actually work against the virus? – Gloria Phua
A: Infections can be caused by bacteriae, viruses and other pathogens. Antibiotics are used to treat specific bacterial infections such as some ear and sinus infections, and some types of pneumonia. However, antibiotics have no effect on viruses at all and should not be used in viral infections such as the common cold and the u. When prescribed, it is also important for you to take your antibiotics properly and to complete the course as instructed by your doctor. Overuse/misuse of antibiotics can lead to other complications. It can also cause the development of resistant strains of bacteriae that are even more difficult to treat.
A/Prof Daniel Goh is the head of both Department of Paediatrics and Division of Paediatric Pulmonary and Sleep at the University Children’s Medical Institute, NUH. A/Prof Goh also pioneered the “I CAN!” programme (a comprehensive programme for the management of asthma and allergies in children at NUH). He is the President of the Singapore Paediatric Society and the Vice-President of the College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Singapore as well as the Vice-President and President-elect of the Asean Paediatric Federation.
DID YOU KNOW?
Childcare centres and playgrounds are ideal breeding grounds for germs that cause infections. Therefore, maintaining a high level of personal hygiene such as thorough handwashing, proper disposal of used tissue paper and staying at home when your child is unwell will help reduce the spread of infection.
The advice offered by the featured expert in this series should not be misinterpreted to be a recommendation of any product. This series provides the opinions of specialists and readers should consult their own doctors if they should have further enquiries.
From TODAY – Tuesday, 26-May-2009
----------
Ever wished there was something so effective and pleasant to take?
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