Understanding Vaccine Side Effects vs. Common Cold in Infants
Side effects of the varicella (chickenpox) and measles vaccine? Hello, Dr. Hsiao: My baby turned 1 year old on December 8 and received the varicella and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) combination vaccine on December 11. Starting December 12, he began coughing and had trouble sleep...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The varicella, measles, rubella, and mumps combination vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine. If there are side effects, they typically occur 5 to 12 days after vaccination. Since your child is experiencing cold symptoms one or two days after vaccination, it is unlikely to be a si...[Read More] Understanding Vaccine Side Effects vs. Common Cold in Infants
Understanding Your Child's Sudden Arm Pain and Fever: What to Know
My son keeps complaining about hand pain? Hello doctor, my son is currently 4 years old. Last week, he suddenly cried out that his foot hurt one night, but after a while, he was fine. However, today before his nap, he complained of pain in his hand. During his nap, he suddenly go...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Due to the lack of a more meaningful specific complaint and the difficulty in determining the diagnosis without a personal examination of the patient (as there are too many possibilities), it is advisable to consult a pediatrician for a thorough examination, especially since ther...[Read More] Understanding Your Child's Sudden Arm Pain and Fever: What to Know
Understanding Pediatric Asthma: Diagnosis and Symptoms Explained
Pediatric Asthma Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about my child who will be 5 years old in 2 months. The pediatrician said he has asthma, but the doctor only listened to his chest. During the consultation, I mentioned that he coughs at night and sometimes wakes up from coughin...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Diagnosing asthma in children under five years old is challenging because respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and coughing can also occur in children without asthma. Additionally, routine pulmonary function tests to assess airflow limitation are not feasible in this age group. ...[Read More] Understanding Pediatric Asthma: Diagnosis and Symptoms Explained
Understanding Frequent Vomiting in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
Children are prone to vomiting? Hello Dr. Hsiao, I would like to ask you about my 2-year-old daughter. She often cries and then vomits, or she coughs and vomits, especially after drinking milk in the evening. She usually drinks more at night, about 150cc at 7 PM and 200cc before ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
In a two-year-old child, the lower esophageal sphincter at the junction of the esophagus and stomach is still immature, which makes it easier for vigorous diaphragm movements, such as crying or severe coughing, to trigger gastroesophageal reflux and vomiting. This is generally no...[Read More] Understanding Frequent Vomiting in Toddlers: Causes and Solutions
Can Cold Medications Affect Flu Vaccine Effectiveness in Children?
Taking cold medicine after receiving the flu vaccine? Hello Dr. Hsiao, thank you very much for your response. I found the prescription, but I'm not sure if it counts as a common cold medication, so I would like to ask the doctor again. The medications prescribed are as follo...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
These medications are just common cold remedies and will not affect the efficacy of the influenza vaccine.[Read More] Can Cold Medications Affect Flu Vaccine Effectiveness in Children?
Will My Child's Mild Sore Throat Affect Flu Vaccine Effectiveness?
Influenza vaccine Hello doctor, my son is four years old and he woke up with a slight cough on Saturday morning, so I took him to see a doctor. The doctor said his throat was a bit red and prescribed two packets of medication. He took one packet on Sunday, but he hasn't had ...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Mild colds and the use of common cold medications do not affect the efficacy of the influenza vaccine.[Read More] Will My Child's Mild Sore Throat Affect Flu Vaccine Effectiveness?
Understanding Baby Growth: Is Coughing Due to Foreign Object or Cold?
Baby growth and development Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about my eight-month-old baby who accidentally swallowed a sticker a while ago and hasn't passed it. He is very active, drinks milk without any issues, and doesn't have any unusual sounds. However, in the pa...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
It is likely not related to a foreign body, but whether it is related to a cold is uncertain. It is recommended to consult a pediatrician for an on-site examination and diagnosis.[Read More] Understanding Baby Growth: Is Coughing Due to Foreign Object or Cold?
Managing Congenital Pulmonary Stenosis in Infants: Risks and Precautions
Pulmonary artery stenosis Hello Dr. Pei, my child has been diagnosed with congenital pulmonary artery stenosis and is currently over 9 months old, with regular follow-ups. During the last visit, the pressure difference between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery was over...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: When the degree of pulmonary valve stenosis is mild, there may be no clinical symptoms, but a systolic heart murmur can be heard upon auscultation. Patients with moderate to severe stenosis may experience symptoms such as dyspnea, chest pain, dizziness, arrhythmias, myocar...[Read More] Managing Congenital Pulmonary Stenosis in Infants: Risks and Precautions
Understanding Your Baby's Unusual Breathing Sounds: When to Seek Help
The baby has abnormal breathing sounds? Last week, my child had a runny nose for two consecutive days, sneezing more than ten times each day. On the afternoon of the second day, I noticed a significant amount of mucus and crust in her nasal cavity. After suctioning it out, I foun...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The wheezing sound during breathing may simply be due to the soft tissues of the infant's respiratory tract and nose still being pliable (some immune glands may become enlarged and softer after a cold). The sound is produced by vibrations during breathing and is generally no...[Read More] Understanding Your Baby's Unusual Breathing Sounds: When to Seek Help
Understanding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Young Children
The doctor diagnosed the child with a possible enterovirus infection? Hello Doctor: My daughter will turn two years old on January 9th next year. A few days ago, she had a fever and we took her to see a doctor. The doctor said she had white spots in her mouth, which might indicat...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
Young children have a relatively small stomach capacity, so they can easily cough severely enough to vomit. If the diarrhea has a sour smell, it may indicate a gastrointestinal infection (some colds can present with gastrointestinal symptoms). Since your child's condition ha...[Read More] Understanding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Young Children
Managing Asthma and Eczema in Young Children: Effective Strategies
Please ask your question? Hello, Dr. Hsiao. My little boy is almost five years old and has atopic dermatitis. Since he was nearly four, he has had severe coughing whenever he catches a cold, which can last all day. Sometimes he needs to take antibiotics to recover. After visiting...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
For children with allergic bronchitis, swimming is indeed the best form of exercise, as it has a moderate breathing rate and the humidity of the inhaled air does not irritate the airways. The management of allergic asthma is a significant challenge and will not be elaborated on h...[Read More] Managing Asthma and Eczema in Young Children: Effective Strategies
Persistent Coughing in Children: When to Seek Medical Help
Even after recovering from a cold, one may still cough to the point of vomiting? Hello, Doctor Fei. My daughter started experiencing coughing symptoms around the end of April. At first, we didn't think much of it, but later she developed phlegm and a runny nose, so we took h...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hi: 1. Does the condition resemble asthma symptoms? It seems more like another cold; if it were asthma, there would be a tendency to cough more in the early morning and late evening, often accompanied by allergic rhinitis. When the cough is severe, it can easily lead to vomitin...[Read More] Persistent Coughing in Children: When to Seek Medical Help
Persistent Coughing in Children: When to Seek Medical Help
Even after recovering from a cold, one may still cough to the point of vomiting? Hello, Dr. Fei. My daughter started experiencing coughing symptoms around the end of April. At first, I didn't think much of it, but then she began to have phlegm and a runny nose, so I took her...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: The reasons for a prolonged cough include infections, allergies, aspiration of foreign objects, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). I recommend using cough suppressants and antiemetics concurrently, while also monitoring for any allergic tendencies. Wishing you hea...[Read More] Persistent Coughing in Children: When to Seek Medical Help
Understanding Enterovirus Symptoms in Children: Isolation Guidelines Explained
Symptoms of enterovirus infection A 5-year-old child has been experiencing a persistent cough, runny nose, and nasal congestion for three weeks. Last week, the child had a fever for one to two days. The doctor mentioned that it started as an allergy and then developed into a cold...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The highly contagious period of enterovirus infection is one week after the onset of symptoms (whether fever or throat ulcers caused by the enterovirus, depending on which occurs first), not one week after the diagnosis. There are specific criteria for diagnosing enterovirus infe...[Read More] Understanding Enterovirus Symptoms in Children: Isolation Guidelines Explained
Understanding Blood-Streaked Stool in Infants: When to Seek Help
Blood-streaked stool Hello Doctor, my sister is currently over 2 months old. Her usual diet consists of breast milk and formula, and her stools are typically green or yellow and loose, with a protein-like or sour odor. Recently, I noticed mucus and streaks of blood in her stool, ...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: 1. How should suspected gastrointestinal bleeding be managed? --> First, check if the baby shows any warning signs, such as tachycardia (without crying or during movement), hypotension (weaker pulse), pallor (indicative of anemia or significant bleeding), decreased ac...[Read More] Understanding Blood-Streaked Stool in Infants: When to Seek Help
Persistent Fever in Children: Causes and When to Seek Help
Persistent fever? I would like to ask about my condition. Four days ago, I had a fever and went to the clinic that night for a rapid test, which showed negative results for both influenza A and B. However, after taking the medication, I continued to have a fever that fluctuates d...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
A negative rapid influenza test does not rule out influenza (as the accuracy of the rapid test is about 60%). Your symptoms still resemble those of influenza, so it may be worth considering a repeat rapid test or directly administering antiviral medications. If the fever persists...[Read More] Persistent Fever in Children: Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Antibiotic Use for Sinusitis in Infants: A Parent's Guide
Antibiotics for sinusitis? Hello Dr. Pei: My younger sister is currently eleven months old. She started having a runny nose (clear) on March 5th, and on March 8th, she developed a fever. A rapid test at the clinic confirmed Influenza A. After taking antiviral medication, she no l...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello: Symptoms of sinusitis may include yellow nasal discharge, pain around the nostrils, headache, and fever. Not all symptoms may necessarily appear. X-rays can assist in diagnosis. Unless there are severe adverse reactions to medication, I recommend completing a 10 to 14-day ...[Read More] Understanding Antibiotic Use for Sinusitis in Infants: A Parent's Guide
Managing Febrile Seizures in Young Children: Key Considerations
1. Examination 2. Medication 3. Temperature issues A 2-year and 7-month-old girl experienced her first febrile seizure three days after attending kindergarten, following an enterovirus infection (at that time she was 2 years and 5 months old). She was hospitalized for five da...
Dr. Pei Rensheng Reply:
Hello, 1. If the child has experienced heat cramps twice, and the EEG is normal with normal development, we can choose to observe. In the future, if there is a fever, we should manage it actively. 2. The duration of antibiotic treatment is fixed and depends on the type of inf...[Read More] Managing Febrile Seizures in Young Children: Key Considerations
Understanding Allergies in Toddlers: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Pediatric Allergies Hello, doctor. My child is currently one year and nine months old. Two weeks ago, he had a cold and after taking medication for a week, he gradually recovered. However, in the past two days, he has started coughing, has nasal congestion, and his eyes are itchy...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
The definition of an allergy diagnosis is quite strict, and it is difficult to make this diagnosis based on short-term symptoms alone; a consultation with a pediatric allergy and immunology specialist is recommended. Similarly, it is not possible to determine whether the symptoms...[Read More] Understanding Allergies in Toddlers: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Understanding Nighttime and Morning Cough in Young Children
Coughing at midnight / Coughing in the morning Hello Doctor, my child is one year and one month old. On December 18 of last year, he contracted enterovirus and was recovering when he returned for a follow-up visit, where he had a cough and runny nose. The doctor prescribed medica...
Dr. Xiao Kaiwen Reply:
If a sore throat is so severe that one cannot even drink water, it is likely that eating food would also be painful. The most common causes of persistent coughing in young children are respiratory allergies, post-nasal drip, and gastroesophageal reflux, while less common causes i...[Read More] Understanding Nighttime and Morning Cough in Young Children