I have been feeling crummy all week. Last week, I played doctor to three of my five kids as they vomited and moaned through their Spring Break. I’m still not sure if I’ve got an adult version of what my kids had or if my stomach pains are something altogether different. Either way you look at it, being sick stinks equally as much as having sick kids. Especially during vacation.
As a mom (who is definitely not a doctor), I often have questions about what’s going on with my kids. Whether it’s “Should I take him to the ER?” or “Is that developmentally normal??” moms have questions all the time. Being prepared, knowing the answers, and having a trusted resource to look to can make a world of difference. I vividly remember the day when Twizzler was about to turn one. He had been dealing with a high fever that just didn’t want to stay down. One evening, his fever was creeping near 104….and then on up to 105. Although I had read about fevers before (Twizzler is child #3), I needed a refresher. What else can I do to take the fever down? Or when should I take him to the hospital?
Twizzler and a younger me, after his fever finally came down
I read a paragraph on Febrile Seizures before putting Twizzler in his crib for the night. So when I heard his irregular cries and found him looking like he was seeing monsters, with stiffened arms and legs…..I knew what was happening. I called the pediatrician, who recommended calling an ambulance. I was calm through the ambulance ride and the ER visit, and again the next day at the doctor’s office when his fever spiked once more and he had to be iced. The doctors asked how I could remain so calm. I explained that I had read about fever-induced seizures and I knew what they were and what to expect. Like I said, being informed makes a world of difference.
Dr. Tanya Altmann, media personality, spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, and author
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I was compensated for my time sharing this information with you. All opinions and experiences are 100% mine.
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Having sick kids is never fun, during Spring Break just really stinks! Seizures are so scary too. Glad you found good advice on Dr. Tanya’s website.