Sesi Tanya Pakar bersama Dr. JoAnn Rajah Pakar Pediatrik First Step Child Specialist Clinic

Hi puan. Batuk dan selsema untuk kanak-kanak dibawah umur 5 tahun memang kerap = sekali dalam setiap 1-2 bulan. Untuk tingkatkan immuniti badan, puan boleh pastikan anak makan makanan yang seimbang, mempunyai aktiviti fizikal dan tidur yang cukup dan suntikan vaksin pneumokokkal dan influenza juga amat digalakkan.

Hi puan. Untuk bayi berumur 6 bulan dan ke bawah, ubat batuk dan selsema adalah terhad dan boleh menyebabkan kesan sampingan kepada anak. Untuk golongan ini, saya sarankan untuk bawa anak untuk berjumpa dengan doktor terlebih dahulu. Untuk demam sawan pula, bukan semua kanak-kanak berisiko. Ubat demam dengan dos yang betul boleh diberikan untuk turunkan suhu badan ketika demam.

Hi there. Usually for every household with children, I would encourage to keep at least a bottle of fever medicine. In view of the rising cases, in any child who is unwell, it would be good to do a seld COVID test. The test is best done on the 3rd to 5th day of feeling unwell depending on the type/brand of test kit. The reason why we should test our children is so that we can isolate them in case they test positive, to prevent the spread to other children.

Hi puan. Bila anak demam, memang kita galakkan anak untuk mandi. Tapi suhu air tidak sepatutnya terlalu sejuk kerana anak akan mengigil. Suhu air paip biasa atau sedikit suam lebih elok.

Hi there, You can give you child a bath, normal tap water temperature will do and not cold water. Besides that, keep your child well hydrated by offering lots of fluids, dress lightly and do intermittent sponging to bring the temperature down. Of course, if the fever is high, you may serve an appropriate dose of fever medicine. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent fever. Fever is a protective mechanism. It tells you that something is wrong with the body and at the same time helps to reset the body's temperature making it a suboptimal environment for germs to grow.

Hi there. That would also depend on your child's age. For babies below 6 months, the ear temperature may not be accurate. Other than that, both ear and infrared thermometer can be used. The only thing to note that the measurement for fever ay differ depending on which device is used. Your child has a fever if he or she: Has a ear or infrared of 38 Cor higher Has an oral temperature of 37.8 C or higher Has an armpit temperature of 37.2 C or higher

Hi there. there re a wide variety of COVID tests out there for children. Best to ask your child doctor or family doctor regarding this.

Hi there. Fever does not cause febrile seizure in all children, it does depend on genetics as well. It is estimated that only 1 in 25 children have febrile seizure. Although it may appear scary,most febrile seizures stops by itself and does not pose any long term complications in the child's growth or development. The management of fever would include serving fever medicine, wearing light clothings, tepid sponging or taking a bath, keeping well hydrated and of course getting lots of rest.

Hi there. Unfortunately most viral diseases share the same symptoms so it can be rather tough. However, if your child has a fever which is persisting more than 3 days, it would be best to seek medical attention/test for dengue.

Hi there. Falling sick once in every 1-2 months is normal for children below 5 years due to their underdeveloped immune system. Provide them with a well balanced diet, daily physical activity, sleep early, and of course vaccinations such as influenza and pneumococcal is highly recommended as these diseases have a higher complication in children.