Urgently Needed Advice Please
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My stepchild was put on a train and sent to us for a visit when he might have mononucleosis. His mother did not want to miss a wedding, so she put her sick with fever and a sore throat child on a train to us. I am currently at a hotel for business and my child is with other parent. Neither I nor my child have had mono/Epstein Barr. This child has been sick for less than ten days and my spouse was told by the doctor when he called today that you need to wait ten days to take the blood test, which is not until I believe this Friday. How safe is it for me and my child to be in the house? I have read/heard conflicting reports. Worse yet, this is junior year for my child, which is full of college entrance tests and exams. Advice , please!!!
That's the point
That's the point unfortunately he is in close contact with all of the dorm mates. The doctor said it is too soon to rule it out, so that is why I am concerned, and they cannot check until end of week. I have read that is is communicated through coughing and sneezing as well. If it did not have such a lengthy stay in a person, I would not care so much, but neither myself nor especially my child can afford to check out of healthy life for weeks on end.
I am trying to understand if people have been successfully able to not catch it while living with someone.
Where in my question did you
Where in my question did you see me asking if I should put a sick kid on a train? It was his mother that did that. No, that is not what I want to do, nor is it what I would ever ask to be done. I am just trying to understand how much risk is really involved and when one can worry less. I have no experience with this, have read conflicting reports, and am trying to do the best thing for all. Would I expect my stepchild to go, a resounding "No I would not ever do that."
This is why I feel uncertain
This is why I feel uncertain as to whether I should see if my child can spend extra time with the other parent and if I should spend a couple of extra days elsewhere? I hope you were not sick with it.It does sound horrible.
I had mono as a college
I had mono as a college freshman. If my uncle hadn't been in the college administration to pull string for me, I would have had to drop out and go home. It's really terrible to have. It's like being a blowup doll with all the air let out.
I certainly hope he is not
I certainly hope he is not sick with it as it sounds awful! I am glad that you were able to have support to help you. I am not certain how worried I should be about catching it.
I had mono just a few years
I had mono just a few years ago in my early 40's. It took 6 months to get over it. I was very sick - high fever - for about a week, then low grade fever every day and no energy for 6 months. It was a full year before I finally felt strong again.
Wow, I am sorry it hit you so
Wow, I am sorry it hit you so hard. How did you deal with the contagiousness, were people able to be around you with no issue? I am glad that you finally feel well.
What is idiotic to be a
What is idiotic to be a consideration?
I am so sorry your daughter suffered. It does sound dreadful, and I hope he just has some other ailment that is presenting in a similar manner. He has exams and the like coming up.
Mono has to be treated. You
Mono has to be treated. You won't catch it unless you kiss the kid. Get him to a doc. My kid got it at 5 and it wasn't too bad. I got it in HS and have hearing loss and vision issues that came from it. Parents thought I was just being lazy... before they did the blood work. Waited too long caused severe vision problems.
Yes, the initial sore throat
Yes, the initial sore throat is pretty much nuclear. The fever and everything, yes. But you get treated for that and then you are on the long slow crawl to full recovery. This is the time where you can't even hold up your own head from lack of stamina.
That is where he is now, and
That is where he is now, and your description sounds like what I have been told.
Sounds just awful!
Thank you, all who have
Thank you, all who have weighed in.I certainly know how horrible things are. It seems as if one needs to be careful beyond kissing, but can be around the patient without too much concern. My child will sound a couple of extra days with other parent until we have a handle on if this is actually mono. I will head back mid week as planned and just be careful.
I hope he is not affixed with this as it seems nothing short of awful.
I have 3 sons and a husband.
I have 3 sons and a husband. I have a rare auto-immune disease and the medications I take make me immuno compromised. One of my sons had mono. At the time he was sharing a bedroom with his younger brother. No one in our household caught it from him. I recommend frequent hand washing, do not share towels, keep your toothbrushes in your room, you get the idea. I catch every virus/illness/flu that comes my way and I didn't catch this; mind you I am the primary caretaker when the kids are sick. If I were you I wouldn't be worried about this. I would be more concerned with catching the flu but that has been ruled out. Just practice good hygiene and I think you'll be ok.