Frequently Asked Questions > Idaho Department of Health and Welfare > Health

Monday, March 02, 2009

Frequently Asked Questions

Idaho CareLine: In Idaho, Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: My baby is sick, and I can't afford to buy the medication. What can I do?

Answer: Contact Idaho CareLine at 1-800-926-2588 (or 208-332-7205 TDD) to get information about resources. Your child may be eligible for insurance coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For more information, contact your local Health and Welfare Office.

Question: Peanut allergies: I keep hearing about the dangers of peanut allergies in young children. What are the symptoms and how can I keep my child safe?

Answer: Peanut Allergies in Young Children

Approximately 2 % of all school children suffer from a food allergy. The most common allergens are milk, peanuts and tree nuts, wheat, soy, eggs, fish and shellfish. Peanut allergies appear to have become more prevalent over the years and have received a massive amount of attention in the media recently. These changes may be linked to an increased number of vegetarians and children consuming peanut butter. The focus on increased peanut allergies has sparked radical movements such as peanut bans on airlines and in schools. What are the facts pertaining to peanut allergies?

Symptoms. First, what are the symptoms of peanut allergies? They are the same as for many other food allergies, ranging from mild to severe and can include hives, swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, cramping, vomiting and diarrhea. Severe allergies, if not treated, can result in death. Recent studies indicate that up to 20 percent of young children diagnosed with peanut allergy can outgrow it. However, peanut allergy in older children and adults rarely disappears. More information on these studies can be found from the web sites listed below.

Safety Plan. Peanut allergies can be successfully managed through education, information and a team approach. The team should be compromised of parents, child, health professionals and childcare/school personnel. They need to work together to develop a plan for avoiding peanuts and for managing an allergic reaction. The plan may include:

Child care/school lunch personnel providing parents a menu and they work together to identify foods that the child should avoid and come up with appropriate substitutes
Encouraging children not to trade foods
Parents working with teachers to develop a lesson about allergies
Childcare/School staff developing an action plan for an accidental exposure

For more resources on peanut allergies check out the following sites:

Food Allergy Network (FAAN)

The American Dietetic Association

By SeAnne Safaii, MS, RD, LD, Specialist
Child Nutrition Programs
Idaho State Department of Education

Question: What if my child has a reaction to the immunization vaccine?

Answer: Reactions to vaccines can range from mild to serious. Mild reactions may include slight swelling at the sight of the vaccination and a low-grade fever. These symptoms can be relieved with a non-aspirin pain reliever. The risk of contracting a serious childhood disease is much greater than the risk of having a serious reaction to a vaccine. However, it is important that you understand the risks associated with each vaccine. If you have questions, contact the local health district or talk with your doctor to review the risks and benefits with you. Your doctor should assess your child's overall medical history to determine if any medical conditions are present that would keep your child from receiving a vaccine. If your child appears sick after receiving a vaccine, contact your child's physician.

Question: Why is it so important to get the shots when the child is so young?

Answer: Immunization should begin at infancy. Children may catch diseases that cause heart defects, mental retardation, meningitis, and pneumonia. Immunization is the only protection children have against childhood diseases. Until they are immunized they are at risk of catching the disease and spreading it to others [see the immunization schedule].