Diabetes is a chronic disease which is now commonly affecting children. Diabetes requires regular monitoring of blood glucose levels. Diabetes is a potential risk for developing other health problems. Diabetic child are at risk of contracting infections more. Some vaccinations are of great help to a diabetic child in preventing the risk of contracting infections and influenza. Read on.Once you get to know that your child is suffering from diabetes, it becomes all the more important to ensure that his blood glucose levels maintain a steady balance and do not fluctuate too often and too sharply. You need to be aware of the ways in which you can maintain this balance as it is essential for the kid’s well-being.
This balance also can effectively lower the probable risks pertaining to diabetic health problems that strike later in life. Thereby the doctor can suggest certain vaccinations for your diabetic child. There are two vaccinations prescribed by the doctors: flu and pneumonia.
Influenza Vaccine
A diabetic patient is naturally exposed to the risk of contracting infections and influenza is one of them. Children are found to get readily affected by the flu virus which can potentially escalate into a highly acute and contagious viral infection. When the blood sugar level is already high, the infection can cause diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA and/or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome or HSS. These are two conditions that can even lead to death if not treated immediately. The condition deteriorates fast as antibiotics do not act on such cases. Therefore, doctors suggest a flu vaccine which can effectively reduce the risk.
Every year the flu vaccine is upgraded as the flu virus changes and mutates extremely fast. This is done by testing and researching on the strains of virus that are circulating at that point of time. The opinion of the health care providers is that regardless of the age of your kid or the type of diabetes management plan that you are following you should make it a point to get your child take the recent shot so that he stands protected.
Ideally the vaccination program commences after the child arraigns six months of age and is repeated every year. To ensure maximum protection even the caregivers of the child should be vaccinated.
Pneumonia Vaccine
Pneumonia is a bacterial infection where the lung tissue gets affected and results in inflammation. This infection caused by streptococcus pneumonia bacterium occurs during winter months. The common symptoms are fever, coughing and chest pain accompanied by shivering fits. Usually every child is administered this vaccine as a part of their immunization program. Parents of children already suffering from diabetes must ensure that their little one gets another booster of this vaccine just after he completes his second year.
Pneumonia can result in serious complications resulting in coughing up phlegm and difficulty in breathing and for a kid who is susceptible to catch cold must be protected as in a chronic diabetic condition, the infection can potentially damage the respiratory system entirely. Three weeks post vaccination, the child is considered to be safe. The doctor might suggest booster doses if required.
Reaction to the Vaccinations
For both influenza and pneumonia vaccinations, there can be a mild reaction in your child. There can be a prominent redness and swelling in and around the site of injection. The child may also have a slightly high body temperature. Doctors suggest application of a cold flannel to be compressed on the site of injection and prescribe a few mild painkillers. These are all temporary symptoms and you might also notice that the child’s blood glucose levels are fluctuating. But here is nothing to worry as this too is a temporary reaction.
