Tasha/Viruses/Re: Preschool or no preschool??

January 18, 2006

In a message dated 1/17/2006 5:44:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

burgesspierce@... writes:

I guess my concern comes from

his exposure to so many viruses when his immune system is so low.

He has been hospitialized for observat

Hi Tasha:

I can so understand this! When Caitlin finally went back to school she was

still on prophylactic antibiotics so I was concerned, but felt that she had

some protection. A few months later, however, she came off the prophylactic

antibiotics and I was scared and extremely nervous of any illness she could

pick up at school. Let's face it schools are loaded with germs as is

everywhere basically. I want to tell you that since then, she has been

healthy, some

minor colds, but that's it. There was a period of time that any time she had

a sore throat I rushed her into the peds and demanded a strep test. All,

but one, were negative (the one that was positive was not the nasty strep).

I'd send him to school and take it day by day. If he is sick, keep him home

like you have been. You're the Mommy and you know when to keep him home and

when to send him. Trust your instincts and don't let the school

administration question those. Good luck on your decision.

Take care.

Patty

January 18, 2006

Tasha -

I am jumping in late on this one, but Caroline started preschool this

school year also. She only goes one day a week, but she has missed

school once due to illness. I am constantly paranoid that she is going

to get sick, but I have to relax and remember she can get sick anywhere.

We are busy with her (she's in ballet, swimming, and has playgroup e/o

week) so she really could pick up germs anywhere...

I guess what I am saying is as much as we'd love to keep our kids in a

bubble, we just can't. The schools will have to work with you. Be

upfront with them and let them know what is going on. I gave each of

Caroline's preschool teachers the " teachers guide to arthritis " . It may

seem a bit premature at age 3, but I think it helped. She has gone to

school several weeks in a row wearing her neck brace and the teachers

weren't " freaked " out by it. Sometimes she doesn't make it to the large

muscle room, but they adapt things for her.

She is also on prophylactic antibiotics (amoxicillin) because of her

history with multiple infections. I have to say that we have seen an

improvement in her health since starting them. You may want to bring

this up with his rheumy or pediatrician. Caroline's doctors agreed

together to put her on amoxicillin along with Nasonex....

Alia and Caroline, age 3, poly and iritis