FAQ About VACCINATIONS

By Dr Mohd Iqbal Iyen | Consultant Paediatrician | Jesselton Medical Centre

INTRODUCTIONS

Immunization is one of the most effective preventative health measures and has saved countless children from death or serious disability. However, misinformation may lead parents to hesitate or refuse to immunize their children. 

In the early stages of life, your child may be susceptible to various bacterial & viral infections which could affect their vital organs and bodily functions. Some of these pathogens cause mild complications while others may be terminal if left untreated.

WHAT IS VACCINES?

Vaccines provide pre-emptive immunity; while vaccination is the process of administering the vaccines into the body which can be done via injection, consumed orally, or through aerosol inhalation.

HOW IT IS WORKS?

Immunity is the body’s way of preventing disease. The immune system recognizes germs that enter the body (called antigens) and produces proteins called antibodies to fight them. Most of the time, the immune system isn’t able to work fast enough to prevent the antigen from causing disease, so the child still gets sick.

Nevertheless, the immune system “remembers” that particular antigen and if it reappears, the body will be ready and respond much faster next time round to prevent any infections. This protection is called IMMUNITY. Vaccination, on the other hand, helps your child develop immunity WITHOUT him/her getting sick in the process. Here’s how:

1. A weakened form of the disease germ is injected into the body

2. The body makes antibodies to fight these invaders

3. If the actual disease germs ever attack the body, the antibodies will return to destroy them.

TYPES OF VACCINES AVAILABLE IN MALAYSIA (LATEST IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE 2016)

ARE VACCINES SAFE?

YES. In fact, experts agree that vaccines are even safer than Vitamins.

The most common minor side effects from vaccines are: swelling or tenderness at the injection site and fever; in which will resolve spontaneously within 48 hours post vaccinations.

IS IT SAFE TO HAVE MULTIPLE SHOTS?

YES. Getting vaccines is no extra burden to the immune system; even for babies. Scientific data shows that vaccination with multiple vaccines at the same time has no harmful effects on the normal childhood immune system.

WHAT ABOUT AUTISM?

Scientific studies have concluded that there is no link between vaccines and autism.

While the rates of autism continue to rise around the world, autism rates are no different in vaccinated and unvaccinated children.

Recent studies on autism suggest that children with autism have too many cells in a key area of the brain needed for communication, social and emotional development. This type of brain development occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy; LONG before a child gets any vaccinations.

WHAT ABOUT HOLISTIC MEDICINE AND BREAST-FEEDING? IS IT ENOUGH TO PROTECT YOUR BABIES?

Holistic medicines may be helpful for some conditions, but only vaccines provide specific immunity to diseases. Only vaccines have been scientifically proven to protect against whooping cough, measles, mumps, and other diseases. 

Breastfeeding is very healthy for your baby, but breastfeeding alone cannot fully protect babies from diseases like whooping cough or measles. Also, antibodies passed on from moms to babies during pregnancy do not last beyond infancy.

WHAT ABOUT “NATURAL IMMUNITY?

Some people think getting a disease is the “natural” way to trigger the body’s immune response, but this comes at a risk; many vaccine-preventable diseases can have dangerous complications, like pneumonia, blindness, brain damage, and even death. 

Vaccines safely trigger a natural immune response; but not the disease. Most vaccines are over 99% effective in preventing illness.

CONCLUSION

Having your child immunised; helps to protect them from many serious childhood infections, some of which may be life threatening. There’s no doubt that vaccines are the best option for both your child and the population at large. Com-pared to the risks of vaccinations, the complications of actually suffering vaccine-preventable diseases are much worse. 

Don’t wait, make the right decision and see your doctor to have your child immunised today. Don’t neglect booster shots, as they must be completed in order to effectively protect your child.

For more information, please contact Jesselton Medical Centre at 088-366 333 or 
for Emergency at 088-366 399. Find them at Metro Town, Off Jalan Lintas. 

Website: www.jmc.my

For the complete article about this subject can be read on this October to December 2016 issue of Parents Avenue Magazine. 

*Disclaimer: All information is for your general reference only. We (Parents Avenue) do not accept any responsibility whatsoever in respect of such information. 

HAND FOOT MOUTH DISEASE

What Parents Must Know About Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD)

DR. ANG SIANG CHIE | CONSULTANT PAEDIATRICIAN | JESSELTON MEDICAL CENTRE

“My Kid’s school was recently instructed to close temporarily for 2 weeks as there is currently an outbreak of HFMD. He has had fever for the last 2 days and now is drooling saliva and refuses orally. I have just noticed a few red dots on his palms… May I know whether my kid has HFMD?”

Often parents get worried about kids contracting hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), unfortunately basic hygienic care in our community is still largely neglected hence leading to the spread of bugs.

What is hand, foot and mouth disease? 

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infectious disease of infants and children. It is a very contagious illness caused by viruses from the enterovirus family, most commonly caused by Coxsackie virus A16 which usually results in a mild self-limiting disease with few complications. However, HFMD can also be caused by Enteroviruses, including Enterovirus 71 (EV71) which has been associated with serious complications, and may be fatal.

How does it spread? 

These viruses live in the patient’s digestive tract and spread from person to person usually through unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated by stool of the infected person. Transmission also occurs by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva or fluid from blisters.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear? 

The usual period from exposure to onset of symptoms (Incubation period) is about 3–7 days. During this period, a child can remain well and asymptomatic.

Who is at risk for HFMD? 

EVERYONE who has not already been infected is at risk of infection, but not everyone who is infected becomes ill. HFMD occurs most commonly in children younger than 5 -6 years of age. Younger children tend to have worse symptoms. Children who attend daycare centers, schools, shopping centers or even playgrounds are at risk of contracting HFMD. Intra-family spread is also another means of transmission.

Can you be infected with HFMD more than once? 

Yes, infection only results in immunity to one specific virus, another infection may occur with another different virus type.

WHAT are the classical signs and symptoms and HOW serious is HFMD?

Fever : Lasting 24- 48 hours, is often the first symptom of HFMD. Children also experience malaise, poor appetite, and frequently have a sore throat.

Oral Ulcers : One or two days after fever onset, painful sores develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. They are usually located on the gums, tongue, and inside of the cheeks. That leads to drooling of saliva and often, children will have very poor oral intake, especially solids and semisolids.

Vesicle/Rashes : A non-itchy skin rash develops over 1–2 days with flat or raised red spots, some with vesicles typically with a red halo. The rash is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the buttocks.

A child with HFMD may not have symptoms, or some may have only the rash or only mouth ulcers which is also known as HERPANGINA.

How is HFMD treated? 

Presently, there is no proven treatment available for HFMD. It usually goes away on its own within a few days to a week. Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) can be given to help a child who is achy or irritable, or to ease painful mouth ulcers or discomfort from fever. 

A child who refuses solid food can be offered milk or even cold foods like ice cream and popsicles which help by numbing the area, and will be a welcome treat for kids who have trouble swallowing.

Besides, make sure children drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated ( e.g: coconut water, barley water e.t.c). Discourage sour drinks as they contain mild acid which can cause more pain to the ulcers. Seek help if your child continues to be irritable, can’t be comforted, or seems to be getting worse or even looks dehydrated, with signs like a dry tongue, sunken eyes, or decreased urine output.

Children with blisters on their hands or feet should keep the areas clean and uncovered. Wash the skin with lukewarm soap and water, and pat dry.

Can HFMD be prevented? 

There are no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines available against HFMD. Fortunately, the risk of infection can be lowered by good, hygiene practices and prompt medical attention for children showing severe symptoms.

Hand washing is the best protection. Remind everyone in your family to wash their hands often. Frequent handwashing with soap and water especially after touching any blister or sore, before preparing food and eating, before feeding young infants, after using the toilet and after changing diapers is very important.

Regular cleaning of contaminated surfaces and soiled items, including toys, first with soap and water, and then disinfecting them using a dilute solution of chlorine-containing bleach would help.

Avoiding close contact (kissing, hugging, sharing utensils) with children with HFMD may also help to reduce of the risk of transmission.

Keep infants and sick children away from kindergarten, nursery, school or gatherings until they are well (at least 1-2 weeks). Maintain good cough etiquette (covering mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing) disposing properly of used tissues and nappies into waste bins that close properly; maintaining cleanliness of the home, child care center, kindergartens or schools are steps to reduce the spread of HFMD

Even after kids recover, they can pass the virus in their stool for several weeks, so the infection still can spread to others.

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For more information, please contact Jesselton Medical Centre at 088-366 333 or for Emergency at 088-366 399. Find them at Metrow Town, Off Jalan Lintas. Website: www.jmc.my

For the complete article about this subject can be read on this July to September issue of Parents Avenue Magazine. *Disclaimer: All information is for your general reference only. We do not accept any responsibility whatsoever in respect of such information. 

Can Your Baby Hear?

CAN YOUR BABY HEAR?

By Dr. Gavin Coad | Audiologist | Jesselton Medical Centre


Most children hear from birth, they learn to talk by imitating the sounds around them and the voices of their family. It is very difficult for parents to notice hearing loss in their baby, often the child is using their other senses to know what is going on around them. Only when the child does not develop speech do parents usually start to worry.

I often see children in clinic at around 3 years of age with speech delay, these parents have similar stories of a family member that was late to start talking so they thought everything would be fine.

Unfortunately, it is very hard for these children to catch up on this lost time and development. The first 2 or 3 years of life are critical for brain development; it is very important that a child has access to language very early in life. If a child is left too long with an undiagnosed hearing loss it will lead to delay in cognitive and language development in early childhood and to difficulties at school.

Research suggests that children with hearing loss who get help early develop better language skills than those who do not. Early detection with newborn hearing screening is essential in order to prevent language delays.

On average about 2 or 3 out of every 1000 babies are born with hearing loss, making it the one of the most common birth defects. The World Health Organisation recommends all babies have their hearing screened before they are a one month old, diagnosed by 3 months and receive intervention services by 6 months of age.

WHAT IS THE SCREENING TEST?

Two types of hearing screening tests are used:

1. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
2. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR).
Each test takes around five minutes and will not cause your baby any pain. Many babies sleep through the screening.


WHAT HAPPENS IF MY BABY FAILS THE TEST?

If your baby fails the hearing screening test, it does not necessarily mean that she has any hearing loss, but it does mean that more testing is required. It’s important that your baby has a repeat screen within 1 or 2 weeks of the failed test.

Babies sometimes fail the first test because they have ear wax in the ear canal, or fluid in the middle ear, or because they were too noisy during the test (crying or restless).

Many babies who fail the first screening go on to pass follow-up testing. Typically, if a baby does not pass the hearing screening tests, she will be referred to an audiologist to do more complete tests to find out whether it does have hearing loss. If you are not sure if you baby has had their hearing tested ask your doctor or see an audiologist for a hearing test.


LIST OF SERVICES OFFERED BY JESSELTON MEDICAL CENTRE AUDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

1. Full Range of Hearing Tests -
Children and Adults (VRA, CPA, OAE, CPA, Tympanometry and AR)

2. Hearing Aids – Children and Adults
(with REM)

3. Tinnitus Assessment

4. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) –
Natural sleep or under sedation.

We are the only private centre providing this full range of tests in Sabah. For more information, please call 088-366 333.

Jesselton Medical Centre

Jalan Metro 2, Metro Town, Off Jalan Lintas, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Tel: +6088 366333
Emergency Hotline (24x7): +6088 366399
GPS: 5.975581°N, 116.112438°E

Website: www.jmc.my/
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