Protecting your child with vaccinations
The best way to safeguard your child against many dangerous diseases, vaccinations are given to prevent illnesses such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, rotavirus, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, HPV, influenza and pneumococcal and meningococcal diseases.
There is rarely a reason not to get vaccinated. According to Canada’s paediatricians, your child should receive all of the recommended vaccines. The routine timing of each shot may be slightly different depending on where you live. Flu shots are also recommended for children over 6 months of age each year.
To minimize pain or discomfort its recommended that you confirm the location of the shot and apply a topical anesthetic an hour before getting the shot. Nurse your baby while they get the needle or use distractions like blowing bubbles or reading a book. Best advice is to remain calm yourself and physically comfort your child.
Do not give ibuprofen or acetaminophen before or around the time of the injection as it won’t reduce pain and could have an impact on how well the medication works. These medications may be suggested for use after to treat fever or bothersome side effects.
Make sure the doctor or nurse provides a written record or vaccine booklet. You can also use a digital tool: the CANimmunize smartphone app.
If travelling, CPS suggests speaking to your doctor about additional vaccines that can protect your child.
Source: Caringforkids.cps.ca
Traffic noise hurts youngster’s learning
In 1975, a study was published in NYC that examined the impact of railway noise on children’s reading ability. The author found that students near train noise performed poorly on reading tests and were 3 – 4 months behind, compared to those on the quiet side of the classroom. Eventually, the New York Transit Authority was persuaded to installed rubber pads to reduce the train noise and classrooms were equipped with sound absorbing materials.
Another 2022 study in Barcelona found that external traffic noise experienced by primary school children in their classroom was slowing down working memory and attention span—what’s needed for problem solving, reasoning, mathematics and language comprehension. The same study found that noise levels generated by road, air and rail traffic could also have a negative impact on a child’s cognitive function during crucial stages of their brain development and that this noise can cause negative responses like learned helplessness and low motivation. UK Researchers also suggested that the stress of continuous long-term exposure interferes with the central nervous system increasing the likelihood of stroke, heart disease, dementia and cognitive decline.
As awareness grows of the toll that noise has on children’s health and learning, some cities are keen to find ways to create quieter roads and classes. Examples include: Prioritizing cyclists and pedestrians and using urban design to create “superblocks” that separate schools with parks and green spaces.
Source: BBC
About Otitis Media, a middle ear infection
Caused by a backup of fluid behind the eardrum, Otitis Media is a common ear infection in children. It is more likely to occur in youngsters between the ages of six months and two years and often begins after a cold.
Started by bacteria or a virus, transmission can be prevented by washing your hands, your child’s toys, following routine vaccination schedule and protecting your child from second hand smoke. Additional expert recommendations include avoiding high temperatures and humidity in your home, drying your child’s ears after a shower or bath and taking care to dispose of used tissues after coughing or sneezing. Know that while the infection isn’t contagious the bacteria or virus that caused it can be. for both kids and adults.
Symptoms in children include ear pain and pressure, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping and a possible discharge if the eardrum has been damaged. Watch for fever, rubbing or tugging ears, crying and fussing more than usual.
While there are usually not complications, repeated or ongoing ear infections require careful attention as they could lead to temporary hearing loss, delayed speech and language development, torn eardrum or a spread to a condition called mastoiditis.
Depending on the age and severity, your healthcare practitioner may consider it mild and wait 2 or 3 days from the initial onset or recommend antibiotic which should ease symptoms within 48 hours.
Source: Sick Kids, Amplifon
