H1N1

When Ryan was down with virus infection a couple of weeks back, the doctor adviced us to get H1N1 vacination for Ryan once he gets better. So, over the weekend, we brought Ryan to get his H1N1 vacination done. Cost us RM100 but somehow we felt so much more relief, knowing that he has got the vacine. Moreover, with the new maid at home (who is giving us a different set of nightmare and headaaches), we planned to get Ryan back to a day care center next Monday. The objective is to get him to learn some discipline and socialising skills.

Can't wait to see how he would react going back to daycare since he stopped going when he was 5 months old. We sent him to a day care when he was 4 months old but because he was constantly sick after he attended the day care, we have stopped sending till now.

Wish us luck.

Rotavirus Vaccination - Part II

Not being satisfied by the explanation given by Ryan's first paed that it is too late to take the first dose of rotavirus vaccination, I have consulted another paed friend. We were worried about the possible infection that Ryan might get. The infection sounds serious and we definitely do not wish to see Ryan on drips and being hospitalised.

We were told that it is still possible to take the first dose before he turns 6 months and take the second dose one month later. According to him, the reason why, the first dose is recommended to babies before the 3rd month is because, babies of that age are most vulnerable and at risk. Being so young, serious dehydration would have adverse effects on the infant. It is not recommended to babies older than 6 months, largely because their studies showed that the percentage of babies in the studied group having already contacted the rotavirus is there, and hence the vaccination would no longer be effective for them. However, children who have not been infected could still get the rotavirus vaccination before their 6th month birthday.

To ease our worries and fears, we went ahead this morning to get Ryan his first dose of Rotavirus vaccination. His second would be 4 weeks from now. For now, our heart is a little at ease, knowing that we have tried our very best to protect him from this infection. God willing, he will grow up into one healthy boy.

Vaccination is not cheap though since we took it at a private clinic. It cost us RM170. Ironically, we were told that medical bills including vaccinations are cheaper at Damansara Specialist Centre as compared to private clinics outside. Not sure how much this is true though.

Pneumococcal Vaccination?

This vaccination is apparently not a compulsory vaccination in Malaysia. I read a little about it and when Ryan's paed recommended that he takes it, we did not have any second thought. When he mentioned it briefly to us, I don't think we quite understand the magnitude of the disease. Our thoughts were, if it is good and recommended by the paed, just get it done. Ryan just had his second dose of pneumococcal vaccination last week. Since the subject was brought up in my previous Rotavirus vaccination, I did a little bit more research and came up with the following facts which I hope would help parents who are considering this vaccination.

Pneumococcal (pronounced as New-m'COCKL) disease is a severe bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called pneumococcus. It may cause pneumonia, meningitis or a blood stream infection (bacteremia). This disease mostly strike children under age 5 and can lead to some of the worst childhood diseases. Kids under 2 years old are most at risk. These bugs live in the mucous lining of the nose and in the back of the throat, and when plentiful enough can cause an infection in the respiratory tract, middle ear, or sinus cavities.

Pneumonia - inflammatory illness of the lung

Meningitis - inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Potentially life threatening.

Bacteremia - blood infection with bacteria.

Pneumococcal bacteria are spread by close contact and through coughing and sneezing. Diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia can crop up within days of infection. Symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia usually include fever and chills with shaking or trembling, as well as chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, fatigue, and weakness. Nausea, vomiting, and headaches are also associated with pneumococcal pneumonia, but are less common.

It suffice to say that if our child is put in a day care centre and that he/she mixes freely with other children, he/she would be at a higher risk exposure and hence, making pneumococcal vaccination a MUST as soon as possible.

The routine schedule for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is 4 doses, one dose at each of these ages:
􀀳 2 months

􀀳 4 months

􀀳 6 months
􀀳 12-15 months

Children who weren’t vaccinated at these ages can still get the vaccine. The number of doses needed depends on the child's age.

More information from this links:

• The pneumococcal vaccine
• What is pneumococcal disease
• Facts about pneumococcal disease
• Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine

Honestly, after reading the facts, I am glad that Ryan is vaccinated. If your child is not, it could be a good time to give this vaccination a serious thought.

Too late to take Rotavirus Vaccination!!

I discovered sometime last month that our paed did not recommend Ryan to take the rotavirus vaccination. I asked one of our paed friend and he said he should take it before his six months birthday. So yesterday, when Ryan went for his second Pneumococcal vaccination, we asked him to give Ryan his rotavirus vaccination as well. To our horror, he said that it's too late now because the first dose must be given before the baby reaches the THIRD MONTH! OMG! We asked him why were we not informed and he casually replied, "I have a big poster hanging outside." We were totally speechless!

Now, the only resolution I have is to seek advice from my paed friend to see whether it is at all possible to give Ryan his Rotavirus vaccination. Otherwise, he would have to be extra careful with his food and intake less he gets infected. Rotavirus will affect children from 6 months to 5 years of age! If we could not get the vaccination, the next 4.5 years would be a constant concern. Sigh!

For the benefit to first time expecting mothers, please insist that your baby get his/her rotavirus vaccination. The first dose is normally taken during the 2nd month. There are two oral doses.

Rotavirus can be caught easily through simple everyday contact. Being a virus, hand soaps and other cleaning products cannot kill it and it can survive for weeks on toys and household surface. Rotavirus is a common stomach virus and symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Diarrhea can occurred up to 20 times a day and last up to 9 days. In serious situation, this would lead to serious dehydration where the baby would require hospitalisation.

The rotavirus vaccination is targeting 5 of the most common virus that causes 95% of infections worldwide.

You can get more information at http://www.target5forbaby.com/