Not good news... - My little brother......

punkeemunkee'smom wrote: I just talked to my mom and they are admitting him to the hospital. They don't know what is going on but he is having a ton of symptoms that don't match the spotted fever and they now can't his fever lower than 104....Please pray for him-we are all so scared!

ZandersMama replied: im so sorry, i just popped on to see if you updated on him, keep us posted. tons of p&pts coming your way.

punkeemunkee'smom replied:
Thank you so much! I was just thinking of your quote on your avatar!

lisar replied: I will keep him in my thoughts.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Oh my goodness, I hope they figure it out quickly! Lots of P&PT's for him!

boyohboyohboy replied: many prayers for your brother and family..

A&A'smommy replied: wow I must have missed the post about your brother having spotted fever LOTS of prayers being sent his way!!!

PrairieMom replied: Is it west nile?

BAC'sMom replied: I'm so sorry Abbie. Your brother will be in my prayers

punkeemunkee'smom replied:
I don't know Tara...what are the symptoms? He has a cough, double ear infections, HIGH fever and spots.......

my2monkeyboys replied: That sounds a lot like the measles... here's a quick "description" of symptoms -

Measles virus is spread through cough and nasal droplets. Symptoms begin to appear one to two weeks after a person has been infected. These symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, itchy eyes and a red rash to the face and body. About 10 per cent of people who have measles also suffer from complications such as bronchopneumonia and otitis media (ear infection).

I hope whatever it is they find out soon and treat it quickly. Lots of prayers for him and the rest of your family.

ETA: Here's another link about measles - does this sound like what he's doing?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/measles/D...ECTION=symptoms

PrairieMom replied:
Symptoms of West Nile Virus

Q. What are the symptoms of West Nile virus (WNV) infection?
A. Infection with WNV can be asymptomtic (no symptoms), or can lead to West Nile fever or severe West Nile disease.

It is estimated that about 20% of people who become infected with WNV will develop West Nile fever. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash (on the trunk of the body) and swollen lymph glands. While the illness can be as short as a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for several weeks.

The symptoms of severe disease (also called neuroinvasive disease, such as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis or West Nile poliomyelitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of disease. Serious illness can occur in people of any age, however people over age 50 and some immunocompromised persons (for example, transplant patients) are at the highest risk for getting severely ill when infected with WNV.

Most people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with West Nile virus will not develop any type of illness (an asymptomatic infection), however you cannot know ahead of time if you'll get sick or not when infected.

Q. What is the incubation period in humans (i.e., time from infection to onset of disease symptoms) for West Nile disease?
A. Usually 2 to 15 days.

Q. How long do symptoms last?
A. Symptoms of West Nile fever will generally last a few days, although even some healthy people report having the illness last for several weeks. The symptoms of severe disease (encephalitis or meningitis) may last several weeks, although neurological effects may be permanent.

Q. What is meant by West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis, West Nile poliomyelitis, “neuroinvasive disease” and West Nile fever?
A. The most severe type of disease due to a person being infected with West Nile virus is sometimes called “neuroinvasive disease,” because it affects a person's nervous system. Specific types of neuroinvasive disease include: West Nile encephalitis, West Nile meningitis, West Nile meningoencephalitis and West Nile poliomyelitis. Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain and the membrane surrounding it, and poliomyelitis refers to an inflammation of the spinal cord.

West Nile Fever is another type of illness that can occur in people who become infected with the virus. It is characterized by fever, headache, tiredness, aches and sometimes rash. Although the illness can be as short as a few days, even healthy people have been sick for several weeks.

Q. If I have West Nile Fever, can it turn into West Nile encephalitis?
A. When someone is infected with West Nile virus (WNV) they will typically have one of three outcomes: No symptoms (most likely), West Nile fever (WNF in about 20% of people) or severe West Nile disease, such as meningitis or encephalitis (less than 1% of those who get infected). If you develop a high fever with severe headache, consult your health care provider.

West Nile fever is characterized by symptoms such as fever, body aches, headache and sometimes swollen lymph glands and rash. West Nile fever generally lasts only a few days, though in some cases symptoms have been reported to last longer, even up to several weeks. West Nile fever does not appear to cause any permanent health effects. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection. People with West Nile fever recover on their own, though symptoms can be relieved through various treatments (such as medication for headache and body aches, etc.).

Some people may develop a brief, WNF-like illness (early symptoms) before they develop more severe disease, though the percentage of patients in whom this occurs is not known.

Occasionally, an infected person may develop more severe disease such as “West Nile encephalitis,” “West Nile meningitis” or “West Nile meningoencephalitis.” Encephalitis refers to an inflammation of the brain, meningitis is an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and the spinal cord, and meningoencephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain and the membrane surrounding it. Although there is no treatment for WNV infection itself, the person with severe disease often needs to be hospitalized. Care may involve nursing IV fluids, respiratory support, and prevention of secondary infections.

MommyToAshley replied:
Oh no! Prayers said and I will continue to keep him in my prayers.

I'm so sorry. I was hoping to hear he was doing better. I hope they figure it out quickly. Please keep us posted.