Not trying to be a busybody but...

minniebeth

DIS Veteran
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Feb 3, 2006
Messages
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A child in my DD8's 2nd grade class has been sick for a long time. Her mom just sent me an email (because they were supposed to get together for a class acitivity) saying that she had strep and then a serious stomach infection for a long time and has been on strong antibiotics for a month. ?
What could that be? I just panicked a little since the kids are in obvious close contact all day everyday! DD has already dealt with H1N1, strep and other stomach viruses this year, we want to be done with illness. I'm not only concerned for my DD but others as well, it always spreads like wildfire. I'm not close enough with the mom to ask more about it. Would you be concerned?
 
FWIW - I am not a teacher...I an not a nurse or a doctor...

I am simply a mom. I would not be concerned. Everything spreads through a classroom like wildfire. That mom is keeping her DD home...so - really nothing to be too concerned about. I would assume if the girl is on antibiotics...that she is getting appropriate medical care, and will be "cleared" to go back by her pediatrician.
 
I think you are overreacting. Kids get sick. And some get sicker than others. And they spread germs. Your daughter had already been exposed to whatever germs made that poor little girl sick.
 
I guess I'm not sure what you're asking. What could it be? Well, she said she's had strep so I assume that's what "it" is. Stomach infection could really mean viral infection and she's just had a tough time getting over it, which is understandable if she is run down from strep. I wouldn't worry about it...
 

It's very possible that your daughter's classmate had a strep infection that was treated with an antibiotic which in turn killed "good" bacteria in the child's stomach. This would cause a new infection that would then need to be treated with a different antibiotic.

Alternatively, it was just Strep and a bacterial stomach infection (antibiotics are not effective against the flu) which it sounds like she could have possibly contracted from your daughter earlier in the year.

If you are truly concerned I would recommend calling your pediatrician but, personally, I wouldn't worry about it either way.
 
Thanks for the replies,
and no, the child is NOT being kept home from school, which was my concern. The child was just not attending an after school activity because she didn't fell well. My concern was that her mom said she was being treated for a serious stomach infection with antibiotics going on a month now. It sounded like more than just a stomach virus, and I was wondering what that could be. I'm not trying to overreact, it just sounds outside the norm of a regular run of the mill strep/stomach virus. When your kid has missed a lot of school in a year, you get a little skittish, you know?
 
Most people are allowed to return to school/work after 24 hours on antibiotics because they are no longer contagious right? She may still not be feeling 100%, but hopefully she won't spread anything.
 
Alternatively, it was just Strep and a bacterial stomach infection (antibiotics are not effective against the flu) which it sounds like she could have possibly contracted from your daughter earlier in the year.

Yes, my DD did have strep but so did most of the other 32 kids in the class :rolleyes:
 
Thanks for the replies,
and no, the child is NOT being kept home from school, which was my concern. The child was just not attending an after school activity because she didn't fell well. My concern was that her mom said she was being treated for a serious stomach infection with antibiotics going on a month now. It sounded like more than just a stomach virus, and I was wondering what that could be. I'm not trying to overreact, it just sounds outside the norm of a regular run of the mill strep/stomach virus. When your kid has missed a lot of school in a year, you get a little skittish, you know?

The only thing I can think of off hand that fits that description is H. Pylori and if that's the case, there's no reason for her to stay home from school.

http://www.medicinenet.com/helicobacter_pylori/article.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/h-pylori/DS00958

Whatever it is, if it's been treated with antibiotics, she shouldn't still be contagious. Also remember, she likely had whatever-it-is for awhile BEFORE she was diagnosed, so keeping her home a month after it's been discovered and treated is one of those "shutting the barn door after the horses are out" type things. Also, just because you now KNOW, doesn't change the fact that it's been present all along. Heaven only knows what else your DDs classmates have that you DON'T know about. Good handwashing is always the key. :thumbsup2
 
The only thing I can think of off hand that fits that description is H. Pylori and if that's the case, there's no reason for her to stay home from school.

http://www.medicinenet.com/helicobacter_pylori/article.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/h-pylori/DS00958

Whatever it is, if it's been treated with antibiotics, she shouldn't still be contagious. Also remember, she likely had whatever-it-is for awhile BEFORE she was diagnosed, so keeping her home a month after it's been discovered and treated is one of those "shutting the barn door after the horses are out" type things. Also, just because you now KNOW, doesn't change the fact that it's been present all along. Heaven only knows what else your DDs classmates have that you DON'T know about. Good handwashing is always the key. :thumbsup2


Exactly. When DD was 3 she got chickenpox-and I was happy to get it out of the way! My co-worker demanded I stay home because I could be a "carrier" and she was worried her son would get it. She called her pediatrician, who told her to expose her kid to mine so he would get it. :rotfl: Kids get sick. I really don't think that child should be kept out of school or in a bubble so she doesn't get anyone else sick.
 
It's very possible that your daughter's classmate had a strep infection that was treated with an antibiotic which in turn killed "good" bacteria in the child's stomach. This would cause a new infection that would then need to be treated with a different antibiotic.

Alternatively, it was just Strep and a bacterial stomach infection (antibiotics are not effective against the flu) which it sounds like she could have possibly contracted from your daughter earlier in the year.

If you are truly concerned I would recommend calling your pediatrician but, personally, I wouldn't worry about it either way.

We just went through this. It was horrible! DD and I had Strep Pneumonia. Major deep cough for a couple of weeks, plus she had a small staph infection to boot. By the time we were half way through the antibiotics we were SO sick to our stomachs that I called the Dr and asked what to do. She said to discontinue the antibiotics ( I know, I was shocked too) and that we should be fine in a couple of days, and to eat yogurt. Both of us were fine 2 days later!

Things spread so quickly through the classrooms, kids leaning over one another, snnezing, coughing... you name it. Most of the time we are contagious before we know we are sick. Not much we can do about it
 
OP, I don't blame you for being a bit worried but since the child is on the antibiotic, your child hopefully won't get sick.

As a teacher, I know how quickly illness spreads in my classroom. If this girl's been in school this long while being sick and your child still hasn't experienced any symptoms, it sounds like she'll be okay. But of course, I'm only a teacher, not an MD.
 
Thanks for the replies,
and no, the child is NOT being kept home from school, which was my concern. The child was just not attending an after school activity because she didn't fell well. My concern was that her mom said she was being treated for a serious stomach infection with antibiotics going on a month now. It sounded like more than just a stomach virus, and I was wondering what that could be. I'm not trying to overreact, it just sounds outside the norm of a regular run of the mill strep/stomach virus. When your kid has missed a lot of school in a year, you get a little skittish, you know?

I understand your concern, but I would assume, unless you know otherwise, that the parents are keeping their daughter's best interest in mind as well as making sure she does not spread anything to other kids. You really don't know if it's something more serious that is NOT contagious and the mom is not ready/willing to share.

I was a very sick kid and missed most of kindergarten. At one point, I ended up with a septic infection and in the hospital in isolation for 3 weeks. The isolation was not because I could spread the infection to other people but because they could share their germs with me, making the situation more serious. I guess I am just of the opinion that if it's something serious and she's missing a lot of school, the teachers and administrators are probably aware of the whole situation and there's nothing to worry about in terms of infecting other kids. It doesn't mean that every parent is entitled to know the whole story though.....
 
I agree with a lot of points made, thanks! (Except that I shuld homeskool, lifeinthetropics, lol) I know it's not really my business and I agree that a child's health needs the respect of privacy. It's just that this child's parents seem like work comes first and her needs are sometimes put on the back burner. She has gone home sick almost every day in the last couple of weeks, I just feel so sad for her! That and that she hugs my DD like a million times a day, so...DD is trying to politely distract her away from that. She makes her a little card everyday with a great big heart and hug on it. :)
 





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