Scarlet Fever

[Guest guest]

Helen Mom to Matt (CVID) 14yo

Matt had scarlet fever. Many moons ago. He was very young and as far as I

remember it ran it's course rather calmly. Unlike chicken pox. I know that is

not much help. I remember that it is contagious so be aware.

I had a little more mail tonight so I am thinking maybe it is quiet and

school is keeping us all running. I know it is for me. This high school

schedule is really something. So far Matt is handleing very well. I am being

the cautious mom thinking this is an awful lot. Don't know how long he can

hold out. Should I do something. He keeps assuring me he is doing fine. He is

in school till 3 then soccer every night till 5:30 or 7:30 depending on game

time. I suppose this again speaks to the notion of letting our kids go a

little. It is so important for them to be normal.

On another note. We have had our second frustrating visit with Matt's

immunologist. You all may remember my concerns back in April when we saw his

doctor and I was concerned about his antibody numbers for pneumovax. The had

dropped rather significantly. His last pneumovax was in July of 97. As of

this year he was 483 for ab3, 335 for ab7, 175 for ab9, and 381 for ab14. The

immunologist was not too concerned and said he would like Matt to get the

conjugated pneumovax when it came out. Remember this is April of this year

and I was thinking to myself that I knew the Prevnar was out because of our

discussions. He could not explain or was not willing to explain to me why. In

April Matt was low in all IgG's and in IgA. So, we went to the peds to get

the Prevnar after they did some research to see if Matt could even get it

seeing he is 14. Matt received Prevnar and we were to have post levels drawn

in August and return to immunologists. So... we did this and much to my

quandry the immunologist was not at all helpful, or concerned with Matts

August levels: ab3 up to 509, ab7 up to 704, ab9 down more to 154, and ab14

upto 1041. Now, I can understand that there is no major concern here, except

for ab9. At the rate it is dropping it will go soon. Also all his IgG's have

continued to drop to their ever lowest lifetime level. Now, admitedly, Matt

has been healthy while on prophylactic biaxin - 500mg. But when I asked when

he wanted to see us again he said 1 year! I don't get that. My immunologist

sees me every 4 months come rain or shine. For illness he will see me

anytime. So, what am I going to do. Talk to Matts pediatrician hoping he can

give me an answer as to why ab9 is going down. Now maybe 9 and 9V are not the

same. The immunologist did not know the answer. Concerning don't you think?

If that is the case that they are not the same should we not figure out how

to get Matt some protection?

So, thankyou for letting me vent. I get so aggrivated sometimes. To tell you

the truth I think that the doctor style and mine do not mix. I go in with

questions and am armed with some knowledge. I would wage a guess that I am

intimidating him. So be it it is Matts short term and long term health.

Afterall he is in a brand new germ pool this year.

Thanks again. Helen