What woudl you do about party tomorrow?

[lmkmip67]

My son is invited to a birthday party tomorrow with his best friend. His friend was starting to feel yucky yesterday and was taken in this morning with strep. He is on antibiotics and won't be contagious by the time of the party. Ian, my son, is on two antibiotics and is doing quite well. He has seen his friend at school, so likely exposed a bit already. The mom may reschedule as she wanted to give everyone that option. But if everyone is fine with their kids going, I am wondering if it would be ok to still send Ian. They are 7 and 8, so not wiping noses on hands and such. Thoughts? I try not to put my kind in a bubble and freak out over everything and let him be a kid, but Dr. B is closed today so i can't call and ask him.

[thereishope]

Well, I can answer this from the calm point of view by saying that you're right...you cannot put your son in a bubble. He seems well protected being that he is on 2 antibiotics.

 

Then I answer this from my paranoid, nervous Mom point of view and tell you the honest truth. If it was my son, I probably wouldn't send him. The boy went on antibiotics today. Yes, doctors say in 24 hours (which you just make the cut off on Saturday) they are not contagious, but it seems soon. Also, I wouldn't know if any of the other kids (who were also exposed at school) had it and just didn't show symptoms yet or didn't go to the doctor. I know I am paranoid, but I'm just being honest. I just know myself and I probably wouldn't send my child.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Vickie

[lmkmip67]

I am paranoid too, that is why I am asking. I am leaning against it. I didn't know if I was being too paranoid. If it was 3 or 4 days I think my answer would be different. But just one day I say perhaps it is best to pass. Hubby says he should be fine since he is on meds too. I don't know.

[T_Mom]

I would not chance it--no way!

take him out for an alternative fun activity with his friend later, much later!--watch a movie at home--anything but possible strep exposure!

 

We are still struggling with the remnants of an exacerbation from a strep exposure (family friends unknowingly) and it is NOT fun (it was in August!)

 

Our friends were kind enough to culture all 4 kids last week !! as a follow up--

 

No birthday party is worth the risk -- believe me.

Edited November 13, 2010 by T.Mom

[EAMom]

I ditto T. Mom...I would not let him go to the party and plan something fun to do at a later date.

 

24 hours doesn't seem long enough (plus, what if he's only on Amoxicillin and it's not strong enough?)....and there is the concern about the other kids.

 

Hopefully the mom will decide to reschedule anyway.

[airial95]

I'll offer a slightly different opinon - how does your son react to exposure? My son reacts a day or to prior to the physical symptoms in the other child, sonwe usualyybknow there's strep somewhere before anyone else. If your son is similar, and he hasn't reacted to the exposure yet, I wouldn't rule out sending him, but that's a tough call. No easy answer.

[lmkmip67]

He hasn't really reacted to exposure yet since we have been diagnosed. So I have no idea. It is in his classroom as well, I found out. So he has been exposed, so I decided to send him to the party. If he wasn't on medication or already exposed in the class, I would not. So far he hasn't reacted any differently this week since being exposed in school. he still has some issues since starting antibiotics, but he isn't any worse this week. So I don't see it doing any more harm. If I am wrong and see him slide, I will learn a very valuable lesson going forward.

[tantrums]

I would send him. I believe kids are contagious before they are diagnosed so there isn't too much you can do - other than have him on the ABX which you already do.

[lmkmip67]

I sent him and he is just the same today. I think your right and he is was likely exposed at school all last week. He did have a bit of a tougher few days but that was before the party. He is a bit better today and no worse since yesterday. I will keep my eye on things, but I am glad I sent him.

[tantrums]

My son is becoming VERY aware that he is different than other kids and this is causing him a lot of distress. I think it's important to balance the risk and the benefits in cases like this. I know my son would only feel worse if he was excluded.

 

Glad he seems to be ok! Hope it stays that way for you