Monday, September 22, 2008

Chicken Pox?

About lunchtime today, Josh's school called and wanted me to pick him up because they thought he might have chicken pox. They told me that he could not come back until cleared by the doctor. So, off we went downtown to the VIP clinic at the local hospital. The VIP clinic is staffed with people who speak English and have been trained in Western medicine. I explained that Josh might have chicken pox and needed to be checked. The nurse had great English and I was confident that she understood me. She took me back to an area to see the doctor and explained the situation to him. He inspected Josh and then said to me, "Yes." I am sure confusion must have shown on my face. "Yes, he has chicken pox?" "Yes, he has lots of bites?" I asked these questions of the doctor and again he just said "Yes." The nurse came back and told me that Josh did indeed have chicken pox. I remain unsure. Not just because the doctor couldn't understand me (and vice versa), but also because Josh has been vaccinated for chicken pox. I know that there is still a chance that he could get it, but the other factor is that he got a TON of bites last night. I have mentioned in the past about our great battle against the ever-persistent mosquitoes. This morning there were 4 mosquitoes in Josh's bed (inside his mosquito netting) with him! I try so hard to check their beds before we go to bed, but Josh is a crazy sleeper and often moves all over his bed during the night. This AM he had a leg sticking out (and created quite a space for the pests to infiltrate). Anyway, all this to say that he had quite a few bites this morning and the beginning stage of chicken pox looks very similar to insect bites. Time will tell....

3 comments:

  1. I hope for everyone's sake that it's all just a bunch of bug bites! Keep us posted!

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  2. it reminds me of the Arthur cartoon when DW wants the chicken pox, so she paints them on her. Hopefully it is just bug bites- that's what it sounds like!

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  3. My oldest nephew, Chet, who was vaccinated, got chicken pox a few years ago. But given the language barrier, I'd be suspicious about Josh too.

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