We thought Jax had developed a really bad sunburn when we were in Fort Bragg, but we couldn't figure out how it was that bad. At first he looked like his face had just gotten a really bad spray on tan. Then the next morning when we woke up the right side of his face was swollen so bad he could barely open his eye. At that point we thought he might have been having an allergic reaction, but then I googled sunburns and read that they could cause swelling. I decided to call his doctor anyway. They told me the nurse would call me back, but I ended up having to call again hours later and finally got her. She told me to call back in the morning to schedule an appointment. I was a little upset because their office is usually not so flakey, but I didn't want to wait another day. I felt like a horrible parent. How could I have let him get such an awful sunburn? So I took him to urgent care and the Dr said, "He has fifth disease." Immediately I was freaked out because disease sounds like a long term problem. Then he told me it was kind of like a flu virus that lasts from 3-5 days which explained his fever. They also call it "slap cheek" as well because it causes a red rashy face and swelling. It was soo sad because he looked like a completely different baby, but when you looked into his eyes he was the same. He didn't really seem uncomfortable at all. He was playing like normal and Peyton never even noticed that his face was different. She was clueless. I love how innocent kids are. She played with him and yelled at him for not sharing, never once did she ask me what was wrong with his face. I still can't figure out how he got it. This might sound awful, but I was almost relieved that it was a virus and not a sunburn because the blame didn't completely fall on my shoulders and I didn't feel like such a horrible mother anymore. It got pretty bad with blisters on the right side, but its finally starting to heal. His fever broke and he is almost back to normal. I feel like I'm becoming one of those parents who's always complaining about their kids being sick. This has definitely not been easy. Peyton was literally never sick. Then we had Jax and it seems like our family is picking up every virus you can think of and even viruses that we've never heard of.
Diana,
ReplyDeleteI remember when Fifth Disease was going around when my kids were small. Jess was the one to always get the viruses with high fevers. It is so frightening at the time, but don't worry...God looks after his children. You are a good mom, and the fact that you googled right away shows it. I remember - it's hard when they are young sometimes because they are so small, and when they get older you feel more comfortable. But then again, when they are small you have more control over things and when they get older, there is other things to worry about. I do know that it's a blink of an eye that they are all grown and on their own. I'm glad Jax is feeling better and I'm sending love your way.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley