Fourways Baby and Family Clinic

24/08/2026

Have your babies and kids had the new Men B vaccine?

Health Alert: Meningococcal meningitis.

Once again, there are two suspected cases of bacterial meningitis at a pre-school in Durbanville.

What to look out for (possible meningitis symptoms):
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Severe headache
• Neck stiffness
• Bulging fontanelle in a baby
• Non-blanching rash (rash that does not fade when pressed)
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Altered level of consciousness
• Lethargy

• What to do:
Ensure your children are fully vaccinated, and that they have had 2 doses of the Bexsero vaccine.
Routine vaccines help protect against:
• Haemophilus influenzae type B
• The most common strains of pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) bacteria • Both can cause bacterial meningitis.
Bexsero covers the B strain of meningococcus, which is the most prevalent strain in the Western Cape.
Menectra helps protect against the other strains of meningococcus.

Follow these steps:
• Prevention through vaccination:
Get Bexsero done today.
• Early detection: Watch for the signs and symptoms listed above.
• Early treatment and isolation: A doctor will begin treatment and isolation as soon as needed.
• Contact tracing: Those who were exposed to a confirmed case will be identified and prophylactic antibiotics will be prescribed to them.

Dr.Willem Smit
Paediatrician

04/06/2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Please use 0829282449 to contact the practice (WhatsApp please!) The other number is not active!
Thank you
Sr Nicky 🩷

24/04/2026

GREAT NEWS FOR Discovery Medical Aid FAMILIES👶✨

If your baby is born between February and June 2026, and you’re on Discovery Health, they are now eligible to receive the Beyfortus vaccine for protection against RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infection.
This is a R6500 benefit !!

✔️ Covers preterm, full-term, healthy, and high-risk babies
✔️ No special motivation needed
✔️ Simply call Discovery for an authorisation number

Once approved and with a valid script, your baby can receive protection during the 2026 RSV season.

RSV can be serious in little ones, this is a big step in keeping our babies safer this winter 💙

Message me to pre order based on baby’s weight 🩷

(Info credit to Dr Smit)

21/04/2026

😮‍💨❄️ BE AWARE !
BRONCHIOLITIS SEASON IS HERE!

If your baby has a runny nose that suddenly turns into a chesty cough and fast breathing…
👉 this could be bronchiolitis.

This is a very common winter illness, but in young babies, it can become VERY SERIOUS quickly.

🫁 What is bronchiolitis?

It’s a viral infection of the small airways in the lungs.

👶 Most common in:
• Babies
• Infants
• Children under 2

👉 The younger the baby, the higher the risk.

🦠 What causes it?

The most common cause is:
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

But other viruses can also cause it.

👉 It spreads easily through:
• Coughing & sneezing
• Hands of caregivers

⚠️ If your child has symptoms, keep them home from crèche/daycare.

📈 How it usually starts

1️⃣ Starts like a normal cold
(runny/blocked nose)

2️⃣ After 3–5 days:
• Moves into the chest
• Wet, phlegmy cough
• Wheezing or rattling breathing
• Sometimes fever

🚨 When to worry and contact your paediatrician

Seek urgent care if your baby has:

• Fast or difficult breathing
• Chest pulling in when breathing
• Struggling to feed
• Vomiting feeds
• Very sleepy or weak
• Lips or tongue looking pale or blue

👉 These are signs your baby needs medical care urgently

🏥 Why some babies need hospital

In hospital, babies can receive:

• Oxygen
• IV fluids if not feeding
• Close monitoring
• Nebulisation treatments
• Support if breathing becomes difficult
• Physiotherapy

👉 Early treatment can prevent serious complications.

🛡️ Prevention tips

• Have ALL babies under one year vaccinated against the RSV during winter.
• Avoid crèche for babies under 6 months in winter if possible
• Wash hands regularly
• Keep sick contacts away
• Avoid smoke exposure

💡 There is a preventative injection for all babies. (Beyfortus for babies and Abrysvo for pregnant women between 28 and 36 weeks)
It could save your baby’s life!
Babies that are premature or have heart/lung conditions are at an extremely high risk of serious complications due to bronchiolitis

💊 Treatment

There is no single “cure”, but treatment focuses on:

• Reducing inflammation
• Helping breathing
• Clearing phlegm
• Preventing dehydration
• Treating secondary infections if present

Your baby may cough for weeks after bronchiolitis, this is common.

Some children may also have recurrent wheezing for a while after.

RSV bronchiolitis increases the risk of developing asthma and COPD ( Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) later in life

💬 Has your baby ever had bronchiolitis or perhaps have it now? Act fast before it gets worse

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician