Dr. Elmer Hilary Balbin- Pedia Infectious Diseases

20/10/2025

Good news to our Clinic and Admitted patients!
We are now accredited with Intellicare and Avega 👍

19/10/2025

Noontime Interview on DZRH Ang Galing mo Doc on Influenza and Influenza-like-illnesses. ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D1zgzjJ49/?mibextid=wwXIfr

16/10/2025

Latest Infographic on Influenza from the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, Inc.




👌❤️🙂

13/10/2025

"Increasing Influenza Like Illness (ILI) in schools: A cause of concern or a preventable disease?"

Metro Manila has recently suspended clases because of the increasing number of Influenza like Illnesses (ILI) in the different schools in their area, most especially among Kindergarten and Elementary students. 🏥

Unfortunately, this trend is also seen in our locality wherein there is an increase number of children having respiratory illnesses. 😷

So what is Influenza like illness (ILI)? 🤔
- It is simply defined by WHO as an acute respiratory infection with the following:

✅ measured fever of ≥ 38 C°
✅ cough;
✅ onset within the last 10 days.

What is the causative agent? 🦠

- Influenza virus is the most comminly implicated hence the name but can also be caused by other respiratory viruses (i.e. Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Rhinoviruses, Parainfluenza Viruses, Coronaviruses and Adenoviruses)
- In our locality based on PCR results, most cases are caused by Influenza, RSV and Rhinoviruses

How to diagnosis ILI? 🩺

- Diagnosis is usually clinical which again involved symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat and nasal catarrh
- For a specific agent diagnosis, there is an available rapid test kit for influenza virus and SARs-CoV2 the hospotal
- There is also an available Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test availble at Riverside Medical Center, but is slightly costly

What should you to if your child presents with Influenza Like Illness (ILI)? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

- Bring them to a Pediatric clinic nearest you so that he/she can be properly assessed and diagnosed
- Avoid school while symptoms are present since most of these viruses and can spread through airborne or droplet transmission
- Advise rest and adequate fluid intake

Is there a medicine that I should take? 🚑

- Most respiratory viruses are treated symptomatically, meaning you only need rest and adequate hydration for a few days
- For fever, Paracetamol is usually prescribed
- For infants or children with severe symptoms, some might require oxygen or nebulizarion, thus advising hospital admission
- For those with Influenza virus, Oseltamivir might be considered in the early phase if the disease

What is the prognosis if my child has ILI? 🗒️

- Most children recover without any problems since overall prognosis is good
- Meanwhile, the outcome of those with severe symptoms are in a case to case basis

✅ In conclusion, while Influenza Like Illnesses (ILI) is a cause of concern to young children, it is preventable and treatable once identified early.
💉 Immunization is still the best way to protect your child against these respiratory diseases

Keep safe everyone!

- From your friendly Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist ❤️🫰

09/10/2025

Thank you again Provincial Health Office for inviting me as a lecturer in your 2 day seminar on HIV. 😀

30/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cf7ujHjKa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Earthquake Information No.1
Date and Time: 30 September 2025 - 09:59 PM
Magnitude = 6.7
Depth = 010 km
Location = 11.09°N, 124.13°E - 017 km N 73° E of City Of Bogo (Cebu)

Reported Intensities:

Reported Intensity:
Intensity III- San Fernando, CENU
Intensity II- Laoang, NORTHERN SAMAR


Instrumental Intensities:
Intensity VI - Cebu City, CEBU; Villaba, LEYTE

https://earthquake.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/2025_Earthquake_Information/September/2025_0930_135945_B1.html

25/09/2025

Due to flight cancellations brought about by Typhoon Opong.
We will resume our clinics today.
Thank you very much. 🙂

23/09/2025

Hello dear SuperMoms and SuperDads!
No clinic on September 25 and 26.
You may set your appointments earlier or after these dates. Thank you!🙂

03/09/2025

Good news dear SuperMoms and SuperDads!
Clinic will resume on September 5.
Thank you very much. ❤️