All, except one, down with Tonsillitis (Strep Throat)
Here’s a quick update from us.
The kids are down with tonsillitis. And I got it too since some two days ago.
And this is how it all started.
Just two days before his birthday, Vai was down with a high fever. There’s no cough, no runny nose, no red dots on his palms or feet, no nothing. Just fever. And so we thought it’s kind of normal and we just gave him some paracetamol.
And on his birthday he told me of the pain whenever he swallowed. And so I used a flashlight and checked his throat. AND, I saw little red dots on the back of his throat AND white dots (ulcer-like) on his tonsils!
Gee, no wonder he’s lost his appetite! It’s so much harder to get him to eat or drink too (read: he could take one little sip and cry)
We immediately went to see a doctor, and we were told that our little guy had tonsillitis (or ‘Strep Throat‘).
Here’s a quick definition, from drgreene.com, of what Tonsillitis is:
Tonsillitis is the name given to swollen, red, and tender tonsils. This is usually caused by an infection of the tonsils. Bacterial infections are important causes of tonsillitis, even though they are less common. Streptococcus is the most common type of bacteria involved.
Btw, this condition is also known as Strep Throat.
Here’s more info from kidshealth.org on what Strep Throat is :
Not all sore throats are strep throats. Most episodes of sore throat — which can be accompanied by a runny nose, cough, hoarseness, and red eyes — are caused by viruses and usually clear up on their own without medical treatment.
A child with strep throat will start to develop other symptoms within about 3 days, such as:
– red and white patches in the throat
– difficulty swallowing
– tender or swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck
– red and enlarged tonsils
– headache
– lower stomach pain
– fever
– general discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
– loss of appetite and nausea
– rash
Anyway.
We went home with some antibiotics (‘Augmentin‘).
The next day, Vai’s fever was completely gone (it lasted for 2-3 days only), but Anya was down with fever in the evening.
I checked her throat and yup, it’s all inflammed and I could also see tiny red dots above the tonsils and little white dots on the tonsils area.
And to top it all of, I was down with high fever too the next day.
Headache. Joint pains. Body aches. Lack of appetite. Pain when swallowing (pretty much all the symptoms listed above!)
Somehow I don’t think my two kids go through as many ‘symptoms’ as I do (could it be because the impact of tonsillitis is worse on adults?). Whatever it is, now I totally know how my two kids feel when they swallow anything!
…
One thing I notice is that we all got the high fever in the beginning. And the fever goes away in 2-3 days (the worst is on the 2nd day).
Not sure when the ‘ulcers’ will completely be healed though. Because really, as long as they’re still there, swallowing is just so painful (since we have to drink lots and lots of fluid at the same time, having it cool or cold really helps!)
Anyway, Wilson is spared from the bacterial infections so far. Thank God.
And I’m thankful too that he’s been taking care of things when I myself can’t do anything much around the house (cooking, dish washing, grocery, playing with the kids, bathing them, getting them to bed, etc).
Such a support is even more treasured in times of need.
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EXTRA NOTES FROM ME:
I’d like to share a bit on what I learned from the doctor to everyone. Perhaps it’ll come in handy next time:
1.After a visit to the doctor, I was given the following :
– Augmentin (antibiotics)
– Danzen tablets (to reduce swelling, of my throat area)
– Para450/Orphenadrine 35mg (like panadol, for bodyaches, headaches)
2. I asked, ‘How do I know it’s bacterial infection, not viral?’ (because if it’s viral then consuming antibiotics won’t do any good)
Doc said, you can tell it’s bacterial infection because of the puss on the throat. If it’s viral, there won’t be any white dots / patches there.
3. I asked, ‘How do I know it’s not H1N1?’
Doc said, ‘the symptoms will be different … the swelling, the white dots on the throat, etc’.
…
My fever was practically gone in 2 days and I was left with occasional headache, and super painful throat that makes swallowing anything, even water, an excruciating pain.
(Btw, I can’t talk too. My voice didn’t become hoarse, but each time I try to even slightly whisper, it feels like the throat is being slashed. And so I’ve been very quiet these past few days)
I was told to drink ‘ling yang’ to reduce ‘heatiness’ (can be obtained from chinese shops like Eu Yan Sang), barley, chrysanthemum tea, etc.
I used those bitter green powder sprays (from chinese shops) and apply it before bedtime.
I took Strepsils Pain Relief lozenges – to help numb the pain before mealtime.
(Hmm, but even after taking it, it still is very painful to swallow. So in those 3-4 days I did eat very little and each spoonful/gulp was a torture. I really hope no one else has to go through it)
Hope the info helps to people out there.
Thanks everyone for leaving messages for us.
The kids are all well by now. Somehow the impact of the bacterial infection was worse on me (perhaps my immune system was low too when I first got it), so these past few days have been extremely tough for me.
Thank God Wilson is all good and healthy and he’s been helping a lot with everything.
Anyway, thanks again everyone …
Hi Leonny,
Hope U & Ur kids are feelg much better now…
I, myself had Tonsillitis in Jun this year & the feelg of drinkg H2o is like swallowing thumb-tacks + I’d to put on a mask in order not to infect my kids + family m’bers…
Take gdy care… …
Oh dear! Poor little darls and you too!
Hope you’re all feeling better now. And hope Vai had a great 3rd birthday despite being ill.
Hi Leonny,
wish you all have recover fully by now!! *hugz*
nice blog
nice pics
nice kids
great mom 🙂
cheers!
how horrible to all fall sick at the same time! get well soon!
Leonny, Anya & Vai: Take care, get a lot of rest, and get well soon… Leonny, I can totally feel for you. I know how tough it is to take care of a sick kid, not to mention two. And to fall sick at the same time too. But thank God, He is good, all the time! He is The One who gives you the strength even during the most difficult times… Stay strong, we’ll keep you in our prayers.
Hi Leonny, hope u guys r getting better now. Thanks for sharing in details abt tonsilitis. As i mentioned jamie was down w fever 2 wks ago, i suspect it could b tonsilitis too come to think abt it. I saw e ulcers on both side of e tonsils but didn’t ponder too much cos he didn’t complain about sore throat n due to my ignorance too. Will learn to take note in future. Thx,