Many conditions, medicines, and diseases interfere with your child's ability to heal or fight infection. Your child may be at risk for a more serious problem from his or her symptoms if any of the following are present. Be sure to tell your child's health professional.

Conditions

• Conditions that cause problems with communication, such as autism
• Mental retardation with an inability to control muscles
• Past surgery or radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis

Medicines

• Anticonvulsants
• Antidepressants
• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
• Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
• Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
• Narcotic pain medicines
• Radiation therapy

Diseases

• Autoimmune diseases, such as scleroderma or lupus
• Cancer
• Cerebral palsy
• Cystic fibrosis
• Diabetes
• Hirschsprung's disease
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Lead poisoning
• Spinal cord injury