Guatemala

By Good Goes on 8.21.12

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Young Mother’s First Experience With Childhood Pneumonia

By Felix Aguilar Ramírez on 8.8.12

Last week a Ministry of Health coordinator, Santiago Brito Raymundo, visited my community. I assisted as we examined people who came to us with health problems. My neighbor, a young mother named Cristina, brought her 2-month-old son Brayan to see us. She seemed worried and she told us her baby was sick. I took his temperature and counted his breaths and could see right away he had pneumonia. I asked Mr. Santiago to double check. He examined Brayan and asked the mother if she was breastfeeding. Cristina said yes she was.

The Importance of Vaccinations

By Felix Aguilar Ramírez on 4.5.12

When I am talking with parents of young children, I often remind them how important it is that they take their children to be vaccinated against serious childhood diseases. I have noticed that there are parents here in our community who don't do this because sometimes the children have mild reactions to the vaccines such as being agitated, not sleep well or having a slight fever. What I tell them is that they should have their children vaccinated because it's in their best interest. The vaccines prevent children from becoming sick repeatedly.

An Educated Mother is the First Defense Against Deadly Pneumonia

By Felix Aguilar Ramírez on 4.5.12

Last month, Mrs. Maria Raimundo Cruz asked me to come to her house to check on her baby girl, 6-month-old Juana, who seemed to be sick. Maria was very worried, and when I saw Juana, I could see why. Juana had a serious case of pneumonia and needed treatment urgently. I gave Maria antibiotics and explained to her to how much medicine she needed to give her daughter each day, and how often. Pneumonia can be deadly if it's not treated correctly, so I always go over the instructions with the moms very carefully. I make them repeat everything back to me so that I am sure they understand.

My Constant Battle Against Pneumonia

By Felix Aguilar Ramírez on 3.15.12

Here in my village, we have to work very hard to prevent children from getting pneumonia and dying. Pneumonia attacks children under 5 years old, and I am always reminding parents that even common colds can be dangerous, because if the child is not treated a cold can turn into pneumonia, then mild pneumonia can turn into serious pneumonia, which can be deadly. I tell parents they must come see me right away as soon as they notice their child is sick, because the longer they wait, the worse things can get.