Children's Health & Immunisations

Specific Children’s Health issues covered include:

• Children's Coughs & Colds
• Childhood Behavioural Issues
• Children’s Health Care
• Immunisations

Coughs, Colds & Infections

Coughs

Although it is upsetting to hear your child cough, coughing helps clear phlegm from the chest or mucus from the back of the throat.

Children often cough when they have a cold because of mucus trickling down the back of the throat. If your child is feeding, drinking, eating and breathing normally, and there’s no wheezing, a cough is not usually anything to worry about.

If your child has:

• If a bad cough does not go away, make time to see one of our doctors, or
• If they have a high temperature and are breathless, they may have a chest infection.

If bacteria rather than viruses cause a chest infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. Antibiotics will not soothe or stop the cough straight away.

If a cough continues for a long time, especially if it worsens at night or is brought on by your child running about, it could be a sign of asthma.

Some children with asthma also have a wheeze or breathlessness. If your child has any of these symptoms, take them to the doctor. If your child seems to have trouble breathing, seek medical attention or call an ambulance, even at night.

Sore Throats

Sore throats are a common symptom in children and can be caused by various factors, including viral infections, such as the common cold or flu, or bacterial infections, such as strep throat. Other possible causes include allergies, dry air, and cigarette smoke irritations.

Symptoms of a sore throat in children may include:

• Pain or discomfort when swallowing
• Red, swollen tonsils or adenoids
• White or yellow spots on the tonsils
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Hoarseness or loss of voice
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Fever

If your child has a sore throat, consult your doctor to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Strep throat is a bacterial infection that requires treatment with antibiotics. In contrast, viral infection will not respond to antibiotics and can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers and drinking plenty of fluids.

Colds

Colds are a common viral infection affecting children's upper respiratory system. Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and a sore throat. Colds are usually mild and resolve independently within a week or two, but they can cause discomfort and make it difficult for children to sleep or eat. 

Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help relieve symptoms. Drinking fluids and getting rest can also help. It's essential to keep children from others if they are contagious and to practise good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently, to prevent the spread of the infection.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are common in babies and small children. They often follow a cold and sometimes cause a temperature. A child may pull or rub at an ear, but babies cannot always tell where the pain comes from and may cry and seem uncomfortable.

If your child has an earache but is otherwise well, give them an infant or child dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen for 12-24 hours. Do not put oil, drops or cotton buds into your child’s ear unless your doctor advises.

Most ear infections are caused by viruses, which cannot be treated with antibiotics. They will just get better by themselves.

After an ear infection, your child may have a hearing problem for two to six weeks. If the problem lasts for any longer than this, ask your doctor for advice.

Glue Ear

Repeated middle ear infections (otitis media) may lead to 'glue ear' (otitis media with effusion), where sticky fluid builds up and can affect your child’s hearing. This may lead to unclear speech or behavioural problems.

Your doctor will give you advice on treating glue ears.

Childhood Behavioural Issues

Childhood behavioural issues refer to a wide range of difficulties children may experience regarding their behaviour, emotions, and social interactions. 

Behavioural issues can be mild and subjective or quite prominent. Regardless, if, as a parent, you feel that you need advice or help with managing these issues, ask one of our doctors for advice.

Causes of Childhood Behavioural Issues

Behavioural problems can result from temporary stressors in the child's life or represent more enduring disorders.

While not an exhaustive list, some common disruptive behaviour disorders include:

• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD),
• Conduct disorder (CD) and
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Our doctors help with advice, treatment and referrals to trained professionals.

Children’s Health Care

Children's health care refers to the medical services provided to infants, children, and adolescents. This includes preventive care, regular check-ups and vaccinations, and diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries.

Children's and adolescent health care for young people aged between 0-18 years include:

• General medical follow-up for special care newborns,
• Developmental behavioural screening and neurology,
• Orthopaedics (fractures),
• Plastic surgery and
• Ear, Nose, and Throat surgery
• Endocrine Clinics for Diabetes and Children’s Growth
• Other health therapies and case management for dietetics and autism assessment

Immunisations

Why Do Children Need Immunisations?

Immunisations, or vaccinations, are vital to children's health as they protect against various severe and potentially fatal diseases. Parents and caregivers can help ensure their children stay healthy and avoid serious complications from preventable illnesses by vaccinating them.

Who is Suitable for Immunisations?

Children's immunisations are suitable for all children from birth to adolescence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a schedule of vaccinations for children at specific ages, starting with the first hepatitis B vaccine at birth and continuing through adolescence with vaccines such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This schedule is designed to protect against the most severe and common diseases at the ages when children are most at risk.

All children should have access to preventive care and vaccinations, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or ethnicity. Parents and caregivers must work with their child's healthcare provider to ensure they are up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations.

Importance of Children’s Health & Immunisations

Children's health and immunisations are essential for several reasons:

• Protection against severe and potentially fatal diseases: Vaccines protect children from serious and possibly fatal diseases, such as measles, polio, and pertussis (whooping cough).
• Preventing outbreaks and epidemics: Vaccines not only protect individual children but also help prevent outbreaks and epidemics of infectious diseases. When a significant proportion of the population is vaccinated, it is more difficult for a disease to spread, which helps protect those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and people with certain medical conditions.
• Cost savings: Vaccines are a cost-effective way to protect children's health. Treating a child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be much higher than the cost.
• Better school attendance: Children who are up-to-date on their vaccinations are less likely to miss school due to preventable illnesses.
• Better overall health: Children who receive regular preventive care, including vaccinations, are more likely to have better overall health and experience fewer chronic health conditions in the future.
• Protection for future generations: Vaccines protect the children who receive them and help protect future generations by reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
• Community protection: Vaccines protect the individual and the community by creating herd immunity. In this situation, a high proportion of the population is immune to an infectious disease, making it difficult to spread.

Immunisations are one of the most important and effective ways to protect children's health. Parents and caregivers must ensure their children are up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations.

Vaccines for Bacterial Infections

These vaccines protect against bacterial infections such as 

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), which can cause meningitis and pneumonia, and
• Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause pneumonia and meningitis.

Vaccines for Viral Infections

These vaccines protect against viral infections that can cause severe illness or death in children. Some examples of viral infections that vaccines can prevent include:

• Measles: This virus can cause fever, rash, and severe respiratory illness. The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is typically given to children between 12 and 15 months of age, with a booster dose between the ages of 4 and 6.
• Mumps: This virus can cause fever, swollen glands, and, in some cases, serious complications such as meningitis and deafness. The MMR vaccine is typically given to children between 12 and 15 months of age, with a booster dose between the ages of 4 and 6.
• Rubella: This virus can cause fever, rash, and, in pregnant women, severe congenital disabilities. The MMR vaccine is typically given to children between 12 and 15 months of age, with a booster dose between the ages of 4 and 6.
• Chickenpox: This virus can cause fever, rash, and, in some cases, serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is typically given to children between 12 and 18 months of age, with a booster dose between the ages of 4 and 6.
• Hepatitis A: This virus can cause liver infection and damage. The hepatitis A vaccine is typically given to children between 12 and 23 months of age, with a booster dose between 6 and 18 months.
• Hepatitis B: This virus can cause liver infection and damage. The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given to newborns, with doses given over the first 18 months of life.
• HPV: This virus can cause cervical cancer, other types of cancer, and genital warts. The HPV vaccine is typically given to girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 12, with a booster dose between the ages of 16 and 18.
• Rotavirus causes severe diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration in infants and young children. The Rotavirus vaccine is typically given to infants between the ages of 2 and 8 months, with two or three doses depending on the vaccine type.

Vaccines for Parasitic Infections

These vaccines protect against parasitic infections such as malaria. These are less commonly used in children than vaccines for bacterial and viral infections. 

Vaccines for Meningitis

Meningitis is a severe infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Vaccines can protect against several types of meningitis, including meningococcal meningitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis and Pneumococcal meningitis.

Influenza Vaccine

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system and can cause severe illness, hospitalisation, and even death, particularly in young children, older adults, and people with certain underlying health conditions. The influenza vaccine is an effective way to prevent the flu and its complications.

The influenza vaccine is recommended for all children aged six months and older. The vaccine is typically administered as an injection, but a nasal spray version is also available for children and adults. The vaccine is generally given once a year, usually in the fall, before the start of the flu season, as the strain of influenza can change each year.

Are Children’s Immunisations Safe?

Vaccines are generally considered safe and effective, but like any medical procedure, they can have some risks and side effects. Vaccines' most common side effects are mild and short-lived, such as pain or redness at the injection site, a low-grade fever, or a mild rash. These side effects usually go away within a day or two.

However, some children may experience more serious side effects, such as severe allergic reactions, which are rare. These reactions typically occur within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccine is given and can include symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face and throat.

In very rare cases, vaccines can cause long-term health problems. These include severe allergic reactions, seizures, and permanent brain damage. However, the risk of these severe side effects is extremely low, and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh them.

The risk of severe side effects from vaccines is much lower than the risk of serious complications from the diseases they prevent. It's also essential to consult with a healthcare provider for guidance. They can help to assess the risks and benefits of vaccination for your child and provide any necessary monitoring or follow-up care.

What if Children’s Immunisations are Delayed?


When children are not vaccinated on time, they may also miss out on the "window of opportunity" when they are most susceptible to certain diseases. For example, the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines are most effective between 12 and 15 months of age. Delaying the vaccination may increase the child's risk of contracting these diseases later in life.

Delaying vaccination also puts other children and vulnerable populations at risk, as the child may be able to spread the disease to others who are not fully immunised.

In addition, delaying or refusing vaccinations can lead to outbreaks of serious diseases that can lead to hospitalisation and death, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and people with certain underlying health conditions.

It's essential to keep the vaccination schedule updated for children and to consult your doctor for guidance. They can assess the risks and benefits of vaccination for your child and provide any necessary monitoring or follow-up care.