Dr LAW, Yuet Ho Vivian

Asthma is a chronic respiratory illness, which needs long term treatment. Common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain, etc.

The immune system of infants and young children is not yet fully developed, and their skin is very delicate, making them susceptible to allergies, hormonal changes, or other external irritants. It can lead to symptoms such as redness, itching, and rash, collectively called allergic dermatitis.

Childhood colds and flu are common upper respiratory tract diseases caused by different viruses in children. The symptoms of these two conditions are very similar, making them easy to confuse, but there are differences in symptoms and severity.

Infantile Diarrhoea is a common health issue in infants and young children, especially when the stools they pass are watery or excessively mushy. For slightly older children, having bowel movements that are soft or watery 2 to 3 times a day may be considered diarrhoea. Since diarrhoea can lead to losing fluids and electrolytes, infants are particularly prone to dehydration. Therefore, diarrhoea may last for several days and pose a risk of dehydration, which can be a significant concern for infant health.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common childhood infectious disease, typically caused by enteroviruses, especially coxsackievirus and enterovirus 71. This virus is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals' respiratory secretions, oral secretions, blister fluid, or faeces. It primarily affects children under 5 years old but can also infect adults.

Infantile Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition affecting children's airways and lungs. Asthma leads to inflammation and swelling of the airways, along with excessive mucus production, resulting in narrowed airways and causing difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.

Acute abdominal pain is a common symptom in paediatrics, referring to sudden discomfort or pain in the abdomen in children. This pain may appear rapidly and vary in intensity, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain. Various reasons, including issues in the digestive system, urinary system, or other internal organs, can cause acute abdominal pain. Most cases of acute abdominal pain in children are due to constipation or gastroenteritis, which are mild and can be relieved with general supportive measures without the need for hospitalization. However, severe diarrhoea can lead to electrolyte imbalances, resulting in seizures, arrhythmias, severe dehydration, and organ failure, so parents must be vigilant and seek medical attention early. The causes of acute abdominal pain also include diseases requiring surgical treatment, such as appendicitis and intussusception; delaying treatment may pose a risk to life.

Bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory tract illness in infants and young children, characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the small airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, increased mucus production, fever, cough, runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. Due to its similarity to the common cold, parents often confuse bronchiolitis with a cold.