Herpangina Sucks!

On Monday mid-day, Nathaniel had a fever of 101. Then that night Nathaniel had a fever of 104.  Then Tuesday morning it went up to 104.9!  I was pretty freaked out cause the poor baby started looking purple.  His lips were even turning purple! 

It scared me pretty bad, but can I just tell you how great my pediatrician is! His name is Dr. Jung and he is the head of pediatrics at Memorial City Hospital.  He is very laid back and calm and isn't medicine crazy.  He really wants to be sure if your child needs the meds and if your child needs them of course he recommends them for them.  He is highly knowledgeable and is very up to date on the latest medical information.   He told me something I thought was interesting about ear infections.  He said if both ears were infected he would have thought it was a viral infection and not given antibiotics, but since it was only in one ear he said he thought it was bacterial.  Apparently viruses attack everything and bacteria are more picky about where they attack.  Interesting... Back to my baby.

So I decided since Nathaniel had a runny nose for 3 weeks that it could've turned into an infection.  I was right! He has a right ear infection that he is taking antibiotics for and then there is this NASTY virus called HERPANGINA.  I had never heard of it before!  It is a very painful throat virus that manifests itself 4-6 days after being exposed.  It causes 4-6 blisters in the back of the throat and causes the child to lose their appetites and also causes high fevers.

Nathaniel has not eaten but a few bites of food, but he has drank lots of fluids which is great so he doesn't become dehydrated.  We also bought icecream last night for him and when he wakes up I will give him some. 

Nathaniel is also very lethargic due to the constant fever-oh did I mention that the high fever can last 3-5 days????  I feel so bad for him!  He just lays in my arms all day and doesn't play with his toys.  I have read him lots of books laying on the couch, but his favorite is barn animal noises.  I have read that book over and over!

Herpangina is caused by the same virus that causes hands, foot, and mouth. And Herpangina can become HFM.  Today my baby woke up with a rash on his legs too so I am not happy about that.  The only good thing about this is that now he will be immune to this virus.

Did you know that HFM is still contagious weeks after the symptoms are long and gone?  Dr. Jung says we can't live our lives quarantined to avoid all viruses and illnessess.  Getting sick is part of growing up and makes our immune systems stronger.  He says the rule of thumb is once the chld is fever free for 24 hours without meds you are good to venture out again.  Oh, Herpangina lasts for 7-10 days- this is good news.

I'm looking forward to seeing my funny, active baby return to his healthy self soon! 

I have to give thanks to God that I have a healthy child. Thankful he only has a virus and nothing life threatening.  I am reminded of the sweet little girl Layla Grace who recently lost her precious little life to Neuroblastoma.  She was only 2 years old and only a little older than Nathaniel when she was diagnosed.with the cancer.  I know I have so much to be thankful for and I hold my baby boy extra tight and have enjoyed his extra cuddlyness this week.

Thank you Lord for my little boy and giving him a healthy life.  His life is in your hands Lord.

Psalm 111:7-8
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. 8 They are steadfast for ever and  ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.