Children who are very overweight tend to grow up to obese adults, and this can lead to serious health conditions such as heart disease, type-2 diabetes and some cancers in later life.

Children with a healthy weight, however, are shown to be healthy, fitter, better able to learn and more self-confident. They are also less likely to be bullied or suffer from low self-esteem.

As a parent, there are many things you can do to help your child to achieve a healthy weight and lifestyle.

1. Show them the love

Ensure your child knows you love them just as they are, whatever their weight and size. This love will help your child to be strong and have confidence in the changes you and they need to make to become a healthier weight.

2. Get them active

Physical activity is an important part of being healthy. It is recommended that children take part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

The easiest way to do this is to help them choose an activity that is fun to do. If your child isn’t used to physical activity, help them build up to 60 minutes of activity every day.

One suggestion is to try to work the activity into their daily routines such as walking or cycling to school. Maybe make the activity a family event and do it together – go for a walk, dance around the living room or just play some ball.

3. Eat well

You can eat your way through any amount of exercise, so it is important to get the food right. It is also important to take the time to teach your child what it means to be healthy and how food can impact their health and wellbeing. You can do this by explaining:

• what healthy food portion sizes look like,
• why they need to reduce sugar intake and treats,
• how to read food labels,
• how to make healthier food choices, and
• how to make healthy meals.

Safefood provide a helpful meal planner and lunch box ideas to help you create a healthy food plan for your child. We have also included several guides in the useful links section to help you and your children eat well.

Please link image to: http://www.safefood.eu/Childhood-Obesity/Your-Tools/Meal-Planner.aspx

Useful Links

• Living Well – What can I do if my child is overweight?
• Living Well – Get healthy as a family
• Living Well – How to involve your child in being healthy
• Safefood – Let’s take on childhood obesity
• Safefood – Healthy eating guide
• Safefood – Healthy meal planner
• Safefood – Healthy lunchbox ideas

Asthma is a narrowing of the airways so much so that it becomes difficult to breathe. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Many children with asthma experience mild symptoms that are only triggered by a viral infection such as a cold or flu, or during times of physical activity and excitement. Other children may have symptoms that are more frequent and persistent, especially when not receiving the right treatment.

We are here to help you to understand and manage your child’s asthma. We are happy to discuss any worries or questions you may have. The links below provide evidence-based guidance and care and are particularly useful for helping you to understand your child’s condition and how best to manage their asthma. We suggest you read through the information supplied in these links and visit us to discuss how we can work together to manage your child’s specific health needs.

Useful Links

• Asthma Society of Ireland – Asthma and your child
• NHS Choice – Living well with asthma
• Asthma Society of Ireland’s Asthma app for iPhone
• Asthma Society of Ireland’s free four week (12 hours) programme for parents/carers of children living with asthma is designed to help improve your skills and confidence in managing your child’s asthma

A cold can be very unpleasant for your child, but it usually clears up by itself within a few days, and without medical care. Symptoms for the common cold include:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Runny or blocked nose
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Slight fever

Our best advice is for you to help your child rest up, eat well and keep hydrated. Some over the counter medicines may help if your child has a headache or slight fever. Your local pharmacist should be able to advise you on appropriate medication for your child. At this point, there is very little we can do for your child as the virus simply needs to run its course.

If you have any questions about the best treatment for your child you are welcome to get in touch. Contact us if your child:

• or you have a chronic medical condition such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes,
• has a very high temperature, severe headache or abdominal pain,
• is vomiting but doesn’t have diarrheoa,
• has a rash in addition to a fever,
• stops drinking and is unusually sleepy or listless,
• shows other signs of illness as well as a fever.

Always contact us if your baby’s temperature is 38C (100.4F) or higher if they are under three months, or 39C (102.2F) or higher they are three to six months.

We are here to help you to understand and manage your child’s health. We are happy to discuss any worries or questions you may have. The links below provide evidence-based guidance and care and are particularly useful for helping you to understand your child’s condition and how best to manage it.

Useful Links:

• NHS Living Well – Coping with Cold & Flu
• Cardiff University – The Common Cold
• HSE – Flu vaccine

Chickenpox is a very common childhood infection where symptoms are mild and complications rare. Almost all children develop immunity to chickenpox after infection, so they only catch it once. Chickenpox is less common but more severe in adults.

The chickenpox vaccine contains a weakened chickenpox virus that encourages your body to produce antibodies against the varicella zoster virus. Antibodies are proteins produced by your body to destroy disease and infection. The vaccine protects you from becoming ill if you are infected with chickenpox.

The chickenpox vaccine requires two doses, which are given four to eight weeks apart, and usually involves an injection into the thigh or upper arm. It is suitable for children aged over 12 months old and should either be given at the same time/at least a month after the MMR, as both vaccines contain a live but weakened version of the virus.

The chickenpox vaccine is not part of the childhood immunisation schedule. You can vaccinate your child against chickenpox, but it will incur a fee. Please contact reception for more information.

Please link childhood immunisation schedule to children’s health

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Who should get the vaccine?

Anyone can choose not to vaccinate their child against chickenpox, but it may be of particular value in certain circumstances. For example, the vaccine is recommended for anyone who is likely to encounter people living with a weakened immune system due to an illness or treatment such as:

• people living with HIV/AIDS, or
• people undergoing treatment for cancer or organ transplant.

The chickenpox vaccine is also recommended for:

• healthcare workers who have no previous history of chickenpox,
• children who may meet people with a weakened immune system,
• children living with severe disabilities who have never had chickenpox and are living in residential care, and
• women of child-bearing age who have never had chickenpox.

The chickenpox vaccine is not recommended for:

• People with a weakened immune system
• People who have experienced as allergic reaction to any of the ingredients of the vaccine
• Pregnant women
• People who are already unwell, please defer until you recover

Side-effects of the Chickenpox Vaccine

Like most vaccines, your child may experience some mild side-effects, including:

• a mild fever,
• redness, itching, pain, hardness and swelling around the site of injection,
• muscle ache, headache, and
• feeling tired.

Aside from an extremely small risk of severe allergic reaction, there are no serious side-effects associated with the chickenpox vaccination. The side-effects usually pass within a few hours.

How much does it cost?

The chickenpox vaccine requires two doses, which are given four to eight weeks apart. The vaccine costs €80 per dose for Medical Card/GP Visit Card and private patients alike. This cost includes administration of the vaccine by the Nurse and brings the total cost to €160 for both doses.

Link contact reception to phone number

Useful Links

• Patient – More information on chickenpox-in-under-12s
• Patient – More information on chickenpox in adults and teenagers
• Patient – More information on chickenpox during pregnancy
• HSE– More information on the chickenpox Vaccine

The flu is a highly infectious and acute respiratory (breathing) illness that is caused by the influenza virus. It affects people of all ages and commonly occurs during the winter months.

Although anyone can get the flu, children living with a chronic medical condition are considered high-risk as they are particularly vulnerable to a severe reaction to the virus (see blow).

The flu vaccine encourages your child’s body to produce antibodies against the influenza virus. Antibodies are proteins produced by your body to destroy disease and infection. They protect your child from becoming ill if they are infected with the virus.

The influenza virus strain can change from year to year, so it is important to vaccinate your child against the virus every year. The flu virus strains vaccinated against each year are based on doctors and scientists’ best estimates of the active flu viruses going around that season.

Unfortunately, this means that the flu vaccine cannot provide 100% protection against all possible flu illness in any given year. However, vaccination against the flu virus significantly reduces the chance of serious or life-threatening illness even if you pick up a strain not specifically vaccinated against in that year. More information about flu viruse strains circulating this season.

At Galway East Medical Practice, we recommend you vaccinate your child against the flu virus between September and October each year for maximum protection. The flu vaccine is given in one single injection, usually in the upper arm.

Who should get the vaccine?

Although anyone can get the flu, but children living with a chronic medical condition are considered high-risk as they are particularly vulnerable to a severe reaction to the virus. As such the HSE strongly recommends the flu vaccine for:

• Children aged six months and older with a long-term health condition such as :
  • Chronic heart disease (this includes anyone who has a history of having a “heart attack” or unstable angina)
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • Chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Down syndrome
  • Haemoglobinopathies
  • Morbid obesity i.e. body mass index over 40
  • Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (these include anyone on treatment for cancer)

• Children aged six months and older 
  • with any condition that can affect lung function especially those attending special schools/day centres with cerebral palsy or intellectual disability
  • on long-term aspirin therapy (because of the risk of Reyes syndrome)

Flu Symptoms

It can be difficult sometimes to tell the difference between a cold and the flu. The flu comes on quite suddenly with fever and muscle aches and pains. A cold is a much less severe illness than the flu, the symptoms are gradual and include a sore throat and a blocked or a runny nose.  The HSE have provided a chart to help you to distinguish between cold and flu symptoms.

Top Tips for dealing with the Flu

Most children recover from the flu within a week and without seeking medical care. However, if your child experiences severe symptoms or belongs to any of the high-risk groups listed above, you should contact reception and make an appointment to see your Doctor.

Link reception to phone number

Top tips for helping your child with flu

• Keep your child home for up to 7 days or until they fully recover – do not bring them to school while ill as this will likely spread infection
• Rest in bed as much as possible
• Take medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce the symptoms – your pharmacist should be able to recommend appropriate medication for your child
• Give them plenty of fluids to keep them hydrated
• Discourage any visitors

If you have taken the necessary care steps outlined above and your child starts to feel worse, you may need more advice from your family’s Doctor. Please contact reception to book an appointment to see your Doctor.

Lin contact recption to phone number

Side-effects of the Flu Vaccine

Like most vaccines, you may experience some mild side-effects including:

• a mild fever,
• redness, itching, pain, hardness and swelling around the site of injection,
• muscle ache, headache, and
• feeling tired.

Aside from an extremely small risk of sever allergic reaction, there are no serious side-effects associated with the flu vaccine.

Given the time of year that the flu vaccine is recommended (September/October), it is not unusual for patients to experience some “cold” type symptoms in the weeks following the flu vaccination. Such instances are unfortunate but coincidental and not related to receipt of the flu vaccine – the flu vaccine does not contain any active virus and cannot cause the flu.

How much does it cost?

The flu vaccine and its administration are free for children in high-risk groups who are covered under the Medical Card or GP Visit Card Schemes.

For private patients/children older than six years who are in high-risk groups, the flu vaccine itself is free, but vaccination incurs an administration fee of €30.

Other patients who are not in high-risk groups may still elect to have the flu vaccination; this will incur a €20 charge for the vaccine and the additional €30 administration fee.

Please contact reception to make your appointment for the flu vaccination.

Link contact us to phone number

Useful Links:

HSE – Patient information leaflet for the flu vaccine

HSE – Patient information leaflet for pregnant women and the flu Vaccine

HSE – FAQs on the flu vaccine

• Medical Card Holders – If your child or children already have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card they will automatically be registered for this new scheme.

• Non-Medical Card Holders/Private Patients – If your child or children do not have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card you must register them for this new scheme.

How to Register for Non-Medical Card Holders

1. Go to gpvisitcard.ieand follow the steps on the HSE website. You will need the:
   1. PPS number of the child or children you wish to register, and the
   2. PPS number of the child’s Parent/Guardian
2. Select your preferred GP at Galway East Medical Practice from the list and fill in the form
   1. See pages 96 – 109 for Galway GPs.
3. Once registered, the HSE will send your details to your preferred GP at Galway East Medical Practice.
4. Your chosen GP must then accept your child or children onto their patient panel.
5. Once the GP has confirmed acceptance, the HSE will post your GP Visit Card to you within a few days.

What is Covered by the Under 6 GP Care Scheme?

The GP Visit Card for under 6s covers all GP visits, two periodic assessments at the ages of two and five, and healthcare for children living with asthma.

Periodic Assessments

The GP Visit Card for Under 6s entitles your child to two periodic assessments at the ages of two and five. The periodic assessment involves the measurement of your child’s weight and height. This assessment is a very quick and simple process that will only take a few minutes to do.

Asthma Assessment

Asthma assessments improve the management of childhood asthma so children living with asthma can fully enjoy physical activities and live a normal and healthy life.

The GP Visit Card for Under 6s provides asthma assessments for children diagnosed with asthma and aged between two and six years. This entitles your child to:

• an initial assessment by your GP/Practice Nurse,
• a special review three months after a new diagnosis, as well as
• an annual asthma assessment to determine the severity of your child’s asthma and how it impacts their life. We also review of their medication and ensure they are correctly using their inhalers.

We will work with you and your child to find ways to help improve your child’s asthma. We can also provide advice on smoke-free environments, the flu vaccine* and what to do if your child’s condition is getting worse. Together, we will create a plan to help you and your child better manage their particular health needs.

*We highly recommend children with asthma and over six months to take advantage of the flu vaccine in September/October every year. People with asthma have swollen and sensitive airways. If the flu virus gets into your child’s lungs, it can cause further inflammation and trigger an asthma attack or a worsening of asthmatic symptoms. It can also lead to pneumonia and other acute respiratory disease. For more information about the flu vaccine, please click here or contact your family Doctor.

Link here to flu section if possible

Home Visits

Although the GP Under 6 Care Scheme covers home visits, it is up to the Doctor on call to determine if a home visit is required.

What is Not Covered by the Under 6 GP Care Scheme?

The GP Visit Card for under 6s covers most of your child’s routine health needs. The scheme does not, however, cover the following non-medical services. Although we are happy to still provide the services to you, they will incur a fee.

Services not covered by the GP Visit Card for under 6s:

• Travel vaccinations
• Pediatric phlebotomy
• School attendance notes/certificates
• Passport/identity reports/letters
• Crèche reports
• Utilities reports/letters
• Insurance medicals/reports
• Sports medicals/reports
• Letters in support of applications for services under the Social Welfare Acts (Housing, clothing, and so on.)

Please feel free to contact reception if you have any queries regarding what is or what is not covered by the Under 6 GP Care Scheme. We will be happy to talk your call.

Link reception with phone number

Useful Links:

• ie https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/
• HSE – Your guide to GP Visit Cards for under 6s
• HSE – Apply online for your Under 6s GP Visit Card
• Print and post the completed Under 6s GP Visit Card application form to:

GP Visit Card for children under 6, PO Box 12629, Dublin 11.