Explain "shifting of baseline" to me again

[JAG10]

Hi Friends,

 

I have my dd7 in mind with this question.

 

Regarding the concept of a "shifting of the baseline behavior", this is used to describe the baseline "normal" child who has an illness, has a notable increase in behaviors, the "illness" goes away on its own and then the child's behaviors subside significantly, but the child never completely goes back to the "normal" child they were; maybe they remain somewhat anxious, or are a little clingy, or just don't seem to be as attentive as they did before they got sick.

 

I used "illness" because sometimes it can be treated and sometimes it can't. I'm thinking of my younger girl who has had mild symptoms in the past that cleared up with abx. Last strep infection was August 2010; that same month she contracted molluscum and in September, she had her tonsils removed. She has been on abx since. Her bloodwork comes back clean as a whistle; she's even negative for band 41. But she still has some mild symptoms that were not there prior to last August (holds her urine too long, not as attentive as she was, a little anxious.) So, if the baseline shifts, what exactly does that mean is going on medically??? I mean, I understand getting better and getting worse, but this status of mildly symptomatic confuses me.

 

The only thing I can think of is this; she still has the molluscum. Even though she was treated by the dermatologist, she has some blisters between her cute little butt cheeks and they won't treat them there....as long as there are a few there, they just seem to continue to spread a little and linger around. So...that means the virus is still active, yes? Well, from what I've read, this can go on A LONG TIME!!!! I read up to 4 years!!!! This is the only thing I can think of that is challenging her immune system.

 

These mild symptoms aren't really getting in her way too much. She has many friends and does well in school. She just looks like this bright kid who also happens to be a ding-a-ling. But last summer, she presented as sharper, on the ball....you couldn't get anything by her. So, I don't like this "shift in baseline" even if she is performing academically. Do you think it's the molluscum? Any suggestions???

 

Jill