KEEPING UP TO sPAED

Upper respiratory tract infections

Written by Dr NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • June 1, 2024

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

Xunz


Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) refers to infections in the throat, nasal passages, and even the ears (note: the ears are connected to the throat via the Eustachian tube). They are very common in children under 5 years of age, and are typically caused by viruses. URTIs are easily transmitted through aerosols/droplets via direct or indirect contact, e.g., being in close proximity to someone coughing, sneezing or touching your face after holding a toy with mucous secretions. The symptoms most frequently reported by patients upon presentation with a URTI are a runny nose, cough and/or fever—often alongside reduced appetite, irritability, and lower-than-normal energy levels. Important signs to look out for that may suggest severe illness requiring medical admission are fast breathing, reduced level of consciousness, and/or the inability to eat or drink anything. 


The mainstay of treatment is symptomatic, i.e., your physician will aim to minimise the discomfort caused by the child’s URTI symptoms (e.g., administering paracetamol for pain and fever management)—while concurrently providing your child with all the support required to fight the infection with their body’s natural defense mechanisms (e.g., fluids like warm water with honey for children above 12 months, and immune system boosting supplements like vitamin C, vitamin D & zinc). 


The course of illness rarely exceeds 7-10 days. This may understandably seem like a very long time, but rest assured that your child’s appetite will return, they will regain any weight lost, and they will be back to sleeping in their own bed again!


Myth busting

Antibiotics are rarely an appropriate treatment because most URTIs are viral (not bacterial). Rest, hydration, and immune system boosters are therefore superior interventions in most cases. Cough mixtures may not necessarily make children feel better sooner. In fact, because many such medications suppress coughing, they can prolong the illness by preventing the elimination of mucous from the airways. Walking barefoot ‘on the cold floor’ does not cause a cold/flu; viruses do not enter the body via the feet.😃

Healing childhood trauma

By Written by Dr NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • August 1, 2024
A heavy subject like this may carry a few assumptions, the most likely being that childhood trauma is an indictment of one’s parents—an understandably difficult notion with which to contend when one loves and respects their parents. Another likely assumption is an almost-reflexive instinct that says, “this cannot possibly apply to me; after all, I am a high-functioning individual”.

Gastroenteritis

By Written by Dr NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • July 15, 2024
Gastroenteritis is a term to describe inflammation in the stomach and/or small intestine. The causes are numerous, but in children the most common cause is viral infections.

Reparenting oneself

By Written by Dr NM (Paediatrician), Edited by RAI • July 1, 2024
You may recall your childhood (including adolescence) as a “simpler time”—one where the toughest things included learning long division, making new friends and keeping your room tidy. “Right” from “wrong” was clear, and punishment was a simple consequence of stepping out of line. You may also be familiar with the saying, “children are meant to be seen and not heard”, which meant being perceived as perfect little angels who reflected how virtuous our parents were.