Last week Sam and his friends got back from Sixth Grade Outdoor Science Camp. Friday night we get a phone call from school that Sam may have been exposed to Meningitis. It’s an automated call so I can’t launch into asking all the questions that are now bouncing off the walls of my brain.
As I am looking for the school’s phone number to call them directly, the happy yet serious voice on the phone is advising me that if I have any questions I should call my pediatrician. Thanks, I am doing just that as soon as I hang up with you. Of course, it is after hours. While I know the advice nurse very well, after all these years, I hate to bother her on a holiday weekend.
On the Internet I go.
Symptoms:
High fever (Sam used to get high fevers, 103 to 104.)
Vomiting
Stiff neck
Nausea
Intense headache
Rash – possible. On the body and extremities.
I remembered that all 4 boys had HIB vaccinations. Sam got his first dose when he was a tiny baby. I continue reading to see if the HIB inoculation protects children from this strain of Meningitis. I don’t find a clear answer.
I find news reports from the East coast of Meningitis scares at elementary schools and colleges. At a elementary school on Long Island, a child has died. School officials have closed the school and called in grief counselors for the staff and students.
I read until I see the photo of the baby with the rash due to Meningitis.
I’m done.
The last three days I have hovered over my youngest. I’ve done the “Mom thing”, feeling the forehead, the ears, back of the neck/ upper back. I’ve asked him ”How are you feeling? You don’t have a headache, do you?”
When I peeked in his room Sunday afternoon, he looked at me and said, “Mom. I’m fine. Stop worrying about that phone call.”
Today, he and his brothers all went to the movies. My hope is that I need to be more worried that they might have gone to see “Friday The 13th” than a Meningitis scare.
To be continued…
I hope everything is ok. That’s so scary.
Yes, it was very scary Catherine. I have somehow managed all these years to NOT have children in ER. During the long weekend, I got up several times a night to check for a feverish child.