In a poignant post shared on Imgur, one mom, Emily Barton, recounted the alarming experience her three-year-old daughter, Mia, faced after being exposed to a sick relative during the holiday season. Emily’s message is a vital reminder to all parents about the importance of keeping unwell children at home to avoid the spread of illness.
“Please, if your child has a cold, flu, or any respiratory infection, keep them home and take care of them,” Emily urged. She shared a touching image of Mia in an ICU bed, receiving treatment for a severe respiratory syncytial virus, commonly referred to as RSV. Emily explained that Mia contracted the virus after visiting her cousin, who had a lung infection, during a festive gathering. “My sister-in-law assured me that her child was no longer contagious,” she recalled, an unfortunate oversight.
While Mia was up to date with her vaccinations, she has asthma, which can complicate illnesses like RSV. Although many children may experience RSV as a mild cold, it can be significantly more serious for those with existing lung conditions. Shortly after their family dinner, Mia developed a fever. A visit to the doctor resulted in antibiotics, but her condition worsened, leading Emily to rush her to the emergency room. Unfortunately, this was how Mia found herself in the ICU, relying on a high-flow breathing machine.
Thankfully, Mia is recovering and is expected to be discharged soon. However, Emily’s plea resonates deeply. It’s all too easy to want to bring your child out to partake in activities, especially during the winter months when cabin fever can set in. As parents, we often see our little ones playing and assume they are fine. But unless we are certain that a child is not contagious, taking them into public spaces can pose a serious risk to others.
Missing work due to a child’s illness is never easy, and anyone who has been there understands the struggle. However, social gatherings, even during special occasions like Christmas, can and should be postponed if it means protecting the health of others. So, if you or your child is feeling under the weather, please stay home. It may be boring, but it ensures that you won’t inadvertently send someone else’s child to the ER.
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Summary
This heartfelt article highlights a mother’s urgent plea for parents to keep their sick children at home to prevent the spread of illness, using her daughter’s serious health scare as a cautionary tale.