rotavirus

As Golden has mentioned on her site, NJ has been sick for the last week but is starting to feel better. Today I am watching him (while feeling a little under the weather myself).

When we were determining what to do about him over the weekend Golden called the hospital to see what they would recommend. The nurse she spoke with indicated that it wasn't worth going to the hospital, but it sounded like NJ had a rotavirus. This is a virus that infects the digestive tract and can cause dehydration.

When I read up on rotavirus I found that it isn't the huge deal in the United States that it is elsewhere. In the U.S. there are 20-60 deaths from rotavirus infections a year. In developing nations thousands upon thousands of children die every year from rotavirus.

While trying to keep NJ hydrated was no picnic (and was actually something Golden did much more than me), I never worried about him dying. I cannot imagine the pain of watching a baby get severe enough diahrrea that it threatens his or her life. Even though it may not feel like we have it made at these times we really are. For that I am thankful.