It all started with a high fever. Friday night when Jonny and I checked on babies before bed we noticed James was on fire! Saturday morning it wasn't much better and nothing was bringing it down. He told me his ear hurt. That was all I needed to hear. We were off to the urgent care clinic. Diagnosis: red throat and ear infection. Got a prescription for Zithromax and we headed home to heal.
Sunday afternoon we notice James has the most severe diaper rash I've ever seen. Poor baby bottom! We put cornstarch in the bath. Keep him dry and clean in big boy undies. And lots and lots of cream and paste. We figure it's a side affect of the antibiotics.
Monday he has broken out on his arms. Great, he's allergic to zithromax. I call the pediatrician and we can see her partner at 11. I go in with my hypothesis of allergy or hand foot and mouth disease. I tell the Dr the whole series of events. I'm told to never go to hose urgent care clinics because they are full of "quacks" and he has no ear infection. Zithromax also isn't the proper antibiotic anyway. New diagnosis: impetigo.
Automatic new source of anxiety. Impetigo is awful blister-y rash caused by either strep or staph. I worry it is going to be a horrible case of antibiotic resistant staph. We get a prescription for amoxicillin and head home to heal again.
Tuesday morning Natalie has her 6 mos check up. 6 months already, I know! It goes by way too fast. Anyway, luckily (I guess) we have an appointment with our pediatrician so I take James along for a third opinion. Our pediatrician looks him over. Grabs her little light. Gets right up in there. Final diagnosis: hand foot and mouth disease. I was right! It's caused by a virus. Stop all antibiotics. Just try to keep him comfortable as enormous blisters erupt all over his body. Oh and try to keep Alyssa and Natalie from catching it.
Thus, started my love affair with Lysol. Alyssa did get it (we think). Very mild case. Sore throat and one blister. She's still eating, drinking, and talking as much as ever. So far we believe Natalie is safe except for inhaling the cloud of Lysol I've been spraying everywhere.
