The Oxford Course-Hot Topics in Infection and Immunity in Children is held annually for paediatric infectious disease(ID) trainees and for all those who manage children with infections. This year I was privileged to attend the course at Keble college, Oxford, UK from 26 to 28 June.

The Oxford course covered a whole milieu of paediatric ID topics by various experts in their own field of interest, ranging from diseases affecting developed countries like vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus causing endocarditis to diseases affecting developing countries like trachoma and leprosy. Of course, there was a lot of concern regarding bird flu and we were fortunate to have a bird flu expert to share with us his experience in dealing with cases of Avian Influenza in Vietnam. When it came to the topic of dengue, I was one of the few in the audience who put up my hand when the lecturer asked who had managed a child with dengue before…. It was really an interesting experience to attend the course with doctors from all the continents of the world and realize that perhaps the Aedes mosquitoes can’t fly that far after all!

The debate among the various experts concerning implementing the rotavirus vaccine in UK immunization schedule was the most exciting. Although each expert argued his own side passionately, it was only when someone in the audience raised the issue of “why are we having this debate when the reality and irony is that the countries where rotavirus kills countless children from diarrhoea and dehydration; and where there is a pressing need for the expensive rotavirus vaccine, simply could not afford them? It was then that the audience cheered and the thought that all paediatricians should be advocates for the world’s children finally struck a cord with the audience.

Cutting edge research into various new vaccines like Group A Strep and Bird Flu vaccines and various new drugs for vancomycin-resistant bacteria were also presented. Some of the data were not even published yet!

When the 3 days course ended, I’m sure I echoed the sentiments of the rest of the audience in wishing that it was over too soon. However, I would always treasure the friends I’ve made during the course (see photo) and the valuable knowledge I’ve gained. And there’s always next year,,,,, Thanks Singhealth for sponsoring me for this most worthwhile course!