Adenovirus

Last night was much better for Jackson.  He ran a low grade fever and ate a little more.  He slept until 11:30 am today at the hospital even with the vital checks every four hours.  Waylon and I were able to sleep until about 10 am which was nice. He was taken off of IV fluids about 8am. The doctor came in and said that his ear infection is still present but should clear up with the meds he is currently taking. The infectious disease team did a series of tests and he came back positive for Adenovirus.  Back to Google we went...

Adenoviruses — a group of viruses that infect the membranes (tissue linings) of the respiratory tract, the eyes, the intestines, and the urinary tract — account for about 10% of acute respiratory infections in kids and are a frequent cause of diarrhea.  Adenoviral infections affect infants and young children much more frequently than adults. Childcare centers and schools sometimes experience multiple cases of respiratory infections and diarrhea that are caused by adenovirus.  Although these infections can occur at any time of the year, respiratory tract disease caused by adenovirus is more common in late winter, spring, and early summer. However, conjunctivitis and pharyngoconjunctival fever caused by adenovirus tend to affect older kids mostly in the summer.  The majority of the population will have experienced at least one adenoviral infection by age 10. Although adenoviral infection in kids can occur at any age, most take place in the first years of life. Since there are many different types of adenovirus, repeated adenoviral infections can occur.

This does explain all of the symptoms that he was having.  The doc said that there are still more tests/cultures pending but if any of them came back positive, it would not change the treatment plan.  She approved his discharge from the hospital.

We are finally home!  {Big sigh and happy tear}  Jack is napping peacefully in his own bed. 

Because this infection is a typical day care infection, I am dreading taking him back.  I plan to keep him here for a few days until he is totally fever free and the congestion is a little better so that he can eat more.  Unfortunately, my kids have to be "day care kids".  I can only hope that this has built up his immunity to tolerate whatever may come next. 

I will put my list of "thank you's" in my next post. The "thank you's" deserve their own post as we had so much support and have so much to be thankful for.  For now, I feel as though I have been hit by a train.  Waylon and I are completely exhausted.  Off to get Austin and rest....