VitalCure Nurse-led Private Clinic

30/04/2026

🐶😮‍💨 That Barking Cough at Night? It Could Be CROUP

If your child suddenly wakes up at night with a harsh, barking cough…
almost like a seal or dog bark…

👉 Don’t ignore it.

It could be croup— a common but sometimes serious airway infection in young children.

🫁 What is croup?

Croup is a viral infection of the upper airway (voice box and windpipe).

👶 Most common in:
• Children under 4
• But can happen in older kids too

👉 Younger children are more affected because their airways are smaller, even a little swelling can make breathing difficult.

🦠 What causes it?

Usually caused by the parainfluenza virus
👉 The same viruses that can also cause chest infections

🌙 How it typically starts

• Child goes to bed fine 😴
• Wakes up suddenly between 11pm–2am
• With:
• A barking cough
• Noisy breathing when breathing in (stridor)
• Hoarse voice
• Sometimes fever

👉 Symptoms are often worse at night and better during the day

🚨 When to act FAST

If your child has:

• Noisy breathing when breathing in (stridor)
• Struggling to breathe
• Chest pulling in with breaths
• Looks anxious or distressed

👉 This is a medical emergency

➡️ Go to ER immediately

❄️ A strange but true tip

Some children improve on the way to hospital
👉 Cooler air can temporarily reduce airway swelling

BUT:
⚠️ This does NOT mean the problem is gone

📉 What happens over the next few days

Croup can move lower into the chest:

• Barking cough → becomes wetter
• May develop:
• Phlegmy cough
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath (especially in babies)

🏥 How it is treated

Treatment focuses on opening the airway:

• Cortisone (very effective)
• Inhalations
• Adrenaline (in more severe cases)

👉 Most children improve quickly with treatment

⚠️ Important

Other serious conditions can look like croup and must be excluded by a doctor.

Most children:
• Improve quickly
• May go home the next day
• Recover fully with treatment

💬 If your child has ever had that barking cough at night, you’ll never forget it.

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

23/04/2026

31/03/2026

Did you know RSV is up to 4x more contagious than the flu?
While it often causes mild, cold-like symptoms, it can lead to serious lung infections like bronchiolitis or pneumonia especially in babies under 12 months.
Learn the facts and help protect what matters most.

While most cases of RSV disease are mild, all babies are at risk of lung infections such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia if they catch RSV.2,3

29/03/2026

Palmsondag herinner ons aan die dag toe Jesus in Jerusalem ingekom het, verwelkom met palmtakke en lofgesange 🌿

“Hosanna!” het hulle uitgeroep… maar dae later sou alles verander.

“Hosanna! Geseënd is Hy wat kom in die Naam van die Here!” – Matteus 21:9

Mag hierdie dag ons herinner om Jesus as Koning van ons harte te verwelkom.

Mag ons nie net Hom loof wanneer dit maklik is nie, maar Hom getrou volg—deur elke seisoen. 🤍

28/02/2026

🧠 Meningococcal Disease: Understanding the Real Risk

There has been a lot of discussion recently about meningococcal disease and the timing of vaccination. Let’s look at the facts calmly and objectively.

📊 How common is it?
The overall incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in South Africa is low — less than 1.6 per 100 000 population.

However, risk is not equal across age groups.

👶 Who is most at risk?

Data from South Africa shows:

• Infants under 1 year of age have the highest incidence
• A second peak occurs in adolescents and young adults (16–23 years)
• Approximately 52% of infant cases are caused by serogroup B

This means that although adolescents are at risk, infants carry the greatest vulnerability.

⚠️ Why is meningococcal disease taken so seriously?

Even though it is rare, it can be:

• Rapidly progressive (can become critical within 24–48 hours)
• Fatal in approximately 17% of cases despite best medical care
• Associated with lifelong complications in around 20% of survivors
(hearing loss, limb loss, neurological damage, cognitive impairment)

This is why it receives so much attention in paediatrics.

💉 What about vaccination timing?

There has been discussion about delaying MenB vaccination until after 2 years of age to reduce the number of doses required.

The important consideration is this:

The highest risk period is under 1 year of age.

Delaying vaccination reduces doses — but it also leaves infants unprotected during their most vulnerable period.

This is an individual risk-benefit discussion that parents should have with their healthcare provider.

🧾 Is this an outbreak?

No.
Recent reported cases in South Africa are not classified as an outbreak.

However, they serve as a reminder for parents to:
• Review vaccination status
• Understand who is at highest risk
• Make informed decisions based on accurate data

🤍 My aim is not to create fear, nor to minimise risk, but to present balanced, evidence-based information so parents can make informed decisions.

Every recommendation I make is based on age-specific risk and the best interests of my patients.

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

21/02/2026

🚨 HEALTH ALERT: MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS

Confirmed cases of meningococcal meningitis have been reported at a local school in Durbanville.

Meningococcal disease can progress within hours, and children can become critically ill very quickly. In some cases, children can deteriorate and die within 24 hours if treatment is delayed. Even when children survive, this infection can cause devastating long-term complications such as hearing loss, brain injury, limb damage, scarring, and learning difficulties.

❗ Seek URGENT medical care if your child develops ANY of the following:

* Sudden high fever
* Severe headache
* Neck stiffness
* Vomiting
* Sensitivity to light
* Drowsiness, confusion, or difficulty waking
* A rash that does not fade when pressed
* Cold hands and feet, pale or mottled skin, severe muscle pain

⏱️ Do not wait. Do not “see how it goes.”
If you are worried at all, rather have your child checked immediately. Early antibiotics and hospital care save lives.

🛡️ Vaccination saves lives
Meningococcal disease is preventable. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe disease and death.

👉 Children and teenagers should be protected with:

* MENACTRA vaccine (protects against strains A, C, W, Y)
* BEXSERO (protects against strain B, that is the most common cause of disease in infants and adolescents in the Western Cape) If you live in the Western Cape and you can only afford one then get this one.

Together, these two vaccines provide the best available protection against meningococcal disease.

I would advise all children 2 months and older to get the BEXSERO Vaccine immediately and to be repeated in 2 months time and all children 9 months and older to get both the BEXSERO and MENACTRA vaccines if they have not had it yet.
They are not part of the Government recommended vaccines.

👨‍👩‍👧 What parents should do now:

* Monitor your child closely for any symptoms
* Keep unwell children at home
* Follow guidance from the school and health authorities
* Check your child’s meningococcal vaccination status and speak to your doctor about catch-up vaccination if needed
* Inform caregivers, grandparents, and schools about the warning signs

If you are worried about your child at any point, seek medical attention immediately. Trust your instinct.

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

18/02/2026

🫁 RSV Infection in Babies & Children
(Now preventable with newly available vaccines)

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is very common, and most children will be infected at some point. In older children and adults it often looks like a simple cold, but in babies and young children RSV can be serious and may lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

📅 RSV season in the Western Cape:
Mostly during the winter months, with a peak from March to August, although we see cases throughout the year.

👶 Why RSV can be dangerous for babies

* The younger the baby, the higher the risk — especially under 6 months of age
* RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis in infants and young children
* RSV accounts for more than 50% of paediatric hospital admissions during winter months

🚨 Warning signs – seek urgent medical care if you notice:

* Very fast, wheezy or laboured breathing
(rib muscles pulling in, nostrils flaring, chest sinking with each breath, or grunting when breathing out)
* Bluish lips, tongue, face or nails (low oxygen levels)
* Signs of dehydration (very dry mouth, fewer wet nappies, no tears when crying)
* Extreme sleepiness or poor feeding
* Fever lasting more than a few days

🛡️ Prevention & reducing risk

💉 Vaccines (3 options available):

* Synagis – given to high-risk babies (premature infants, heart or lung conditions, immune deficiencies)
➤ Given monthly during RSV season
➤ Extremely expensive
* RSV vaccine during pregnancy – given to the mother in the third trimester
* Beyfortus – for all babies entering their first RSV season
➤ Effective for about 5 months after administration
➤ Cost ± R6 500
➤ Expensive, but very worthwhile protection for young infants

🧼 Everyday prevention:

* Wash hands frequently
* Limit contact with sick people, especially for young babies
* Smoke-free environment
* Clean toys and frequently touched surfaces
* Breastfeeding where possible for immune support
* Pay attention to air quality and ventilation

🩺 What to expect during a clinical visit

* Assessment of breathing, oxygen levels, hydration and feeding
* Lung examination with a stethoscope
* Nasal swab tests may be done to identify RSV
* Treatment is mostly supportive care (fluids, rest, comfort)
* Antibiotics are only used if a bacterial infection is suspected

💊 Treatment – home vs hospital

🏡 Home care:

* Encourage plenty of fluids
* Use fever and pain relief as advised (paracetamol or ibuprofen, age-appropriate)
* Keep your child comfortable and slightly upright to ease breathing

🏥 In a medical setting:

* Oxygen therapy if oxygen levels are low
* IV fluids if your child is not drinking enough
* Some children may receive bronchodilators or other medications in selected cases (effectiveness varies)
* Hospitalisation may be needed for:

* Severe breathing problems
* Dehydration
* Very young infants
* Children with underlying medical conditions

👩‍👦 Quick caregiver tips

✔️ Monitor breathing and fluid intake
✔️ Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully
✔️ Do not give cough medicines to very young children unless advised
✔️ Seek medical care early if you are unsure or worried

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

09/02/2026

Are you or someone you know expecting a ""Little Life"" soon? 👶✨

Life Anncron Hospital invites you to our upcoming workshop: "What to Expect When Expecting".
It’s the perfect opportunity to get your questions answered and prepare for your new arrival.

📅 Date: 28 February 2026
🕘 Time: 09:00
📍 Venue: Le Souvenir - Conference Centre
🎁 Bonus: Enjoy light snacks and take home a special goodie bag!

A R50 registration fee secures your seat. Pay at our Main Reception or Maternity Unit.

📞 Book today: Call or WhatsApp 071 699 3532. Seats are limited!

04/02/2026

🤢 Gastro season is here — what every parent should know

It’s midsummer, which means we’re seeing a LOT of “stomach bugs” going around.
Gastroenteritis (or “gastro”) is one of the most common childhood illnesses.

Worldwide, 500 000 – 1 million children still die each year from gastroenteritis, especially malnourished children and those in low-resource settings.
The good news? With the right care, most children recover well at home.

---

🦠 What is “gastro”?

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut that causes:

* 🤢 Nausea & vomiting
* 💩 Diarrhoea
* 🤒 Sometimes fever & tummy cramps

Most cases are viral, but a smaller number are bacterial (which may need antibiotics).

The common causes we see:

Viral:

* Rotavirus (much less severe since the vaccine – protection is about 60–80%)
* Adenovirus (often milder than Rotavirus)
* Astro virus
* Sapo virus
* Noro virus

Bacterial:

* E. coli
* Salmonella
* Shigella
* Campylobacter

Parasites (less common):

* Entamoeba histolytica (chronic diarrhoea)
* Cryptosporidium (mainly in immune-compromised children)
* Giardia Lamblia

👀 What does gastro look like?

Your child may have:

* 🤒 Fever (often higher with bacterial infections)
* 🤮 Vomiting (often the first sign)
* 😣 Tummy cramps
* 💩 Diarrhoea (can start up to 24 hours later)

* Viral = watery, foul-smelling
* Bacterial = may be bloody
* 😴 Lethargy & weakness
* 🚫 Not wanting to eat or drink
* 🚽 Fewer wet nappies / less urine

💧 Watch out for dehydration

Children (especially babies) dehydrate very quickly.

🚩 Signs of dehydration:

* Pale skin
* Cold hands and feet
* Dry mouth, no tears
* Sunken eyes or fontanelle
* Very few wet nappies
* Loose “old looking” skin
* Very sleepy or floppy
* In severe cases: fast heartbeat, fast breathing, low blood pressure, even convulsions
*
🏠 What you can do at home

The main goal = prevent dehydration

💧 Fluids are medicine

* Use oral rehydration solution (Hydrol / Ceralyte)
* Aim for ±60 ml per hour
* Plus 50–100 ml after each watery stool

🍼 Feeding

* Do NOT stop breastfeeding
* If vomiting badly, pause formula for a few hours and use rehydration solution
* Avoid fizzy drinks & sugary juices

🦠 Probiotics

* Lactobacillus Reuteri (e.g. Reuterina)
* 5 drops twice a day for ±5 days
* Older kids can use chew tablets

🤮 For nausea & vomiting

* Anti-emetics (as prescribed by a doctor)

💊 Antibiotics

* Only if a doctor suspects a bacterial infection

🚫 Don’t try to stop the diarrhoea

* We usually avoid Immodium in children
* You can use gut protectors like:

* Tasectan (every 6 hours)
* Smecta (twice daily for 5 days)
* Hidrasec

🏥 When to get medical help

Please see a doctor or go to hospital if your child has:

🚩 Ongoing vomiting & diarrhoea
🚩 Any signs of dehydration
🚩 High fever, severe pain, or bloody diarrhoea
🚩 Babies under 1 year
🚩 Refusing all fluids
🚩 You are unsure or worried

Your gut feeling as a parent matters.

🏨 What happens in hospital?

If admitted, your child may:

* Be placed in isolation
* Receive fluids via drip or feeding tube
* Get medication for nausea
* Receive probiotics
* Have stool/blood tests
* Be treated for nappy rash
* Stay 2–5 days depending on severity

💛

Gastro is messy, exhausting, and stressful, but most children recover fully with good hydration and support.

You’re not failing if your child gets sick.
You’re doing your job by noticing, caring, and asking for help when needed.

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

27/01/2026

Measles and Rubella Weekly Surveillance Report

Measles Surveillance
As of 16 January 2026, 139 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported nationally. Western Cape reported 84 new cases. Gauteng 14 cases, Mpumalanga 20 cases, Limpopo 7 cases, Free State 6 cases, Northern Cape 4 cases, North West 3 cases, and Eastern Cape 1 case.

Rubella Surveillance
From 01 January to 16 January 2026, 17 laboratory-confirmed rubella cases were reported in South Africa through measles and rubella surveillance. Rubella is endemic in South Africa, with an increase in circulation seen in autumn and spring. Rubella primarily affects children under 15 years of age and typically results in a self-limiting acute infection.

To access the report, click here: https://www.nicd.ac.za/measles-and-rubella-weekly-surveillance-report/.

27/01/2026

🌡️ Fever in children: let’s talk about it (without the panic)

Fever is one of the most common reasons parents worry — but here’s the good news:

👉 Fever is not the enemy.
It’s your child’s body doing its job in fighting an infection which could be viral or bacterial.

📌 What is a fever?
A temperature of 38°C or higher.

🧠 Here’s what really matters (hint: not just the number):
Instead of focusing only on the thermometer, look at your child:

* Are they drinking fluids?
* Are they responsive and making eye contact?
* Are they breathing comfortably?
* Do they perk up after fever medicine?

A child with a high fever who still plays, drinks and smiles is often less concerning than a child with a lower temperature who looks very unwell.

💊 Fever medicine 101

* Paracetamol and or Ibuprofen can be given every 4–6 hours
* Maximum 4 doses of each in 24 hours
* Dose according to weight, not age
* Fever medicine is for comfort, not to “chase” the temperature

🤝 What can paracetamol be given with?
✔️ Ibuprofen (they work differently)
✔️ Antibiotics (if prescribed)
❌ Avoid double-dosing with cold/flu syrups that already contain paracetamol
❌Do not give a cold bath. If they shiver cover them and if they sweat uncover them.

🚩 Seek medical advice urgently if your child:

* Is under 3 months with fever
* Is difficult to wake or unusually sleepy
* Has trouble breathing
* Has a seizure
* Has a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed
* Is not drinking or passing urine
* ⁠Is vomiting repeatedly
* Or if you’re worried, parental instinct matters

🤍
You don’t need to be brave at home.
If something feels off, it’s always okay to have your child checked.

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

For more information read my previous post on fever as well.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F1Y1y3vwp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

15/01/2026

🥰💕🌸💕🥰