Lots to tell...
Yes, we've been offline for a whole two months and not posted much. Lots has happened. Here a recap...
From Christmas right through to the end of April the three of us caught one bug after the other. Quite frankly it's been exhausting. I always thought people were exaggerating when they warned us about the neverending bugs. But they were right, sadly.
So we took our lovely trip to London, which we had long been looking forward to. Prior to the holiday the Monkey already had slightly rosy cheeks. These stayed the whole trip while we were away. After five days of play and exploration in London, he came down with a high fever. The GP thought it was just a little cold - despite the big red cheeks, which should have been a tell-all. Back on Tenerife Island the paediatrician took one look and diagnosed Slapped Cheek Syndrome.
Slapped Cheek Syndrome
The biggest one the Monkey had caught was slapped cheek syndrome, also called fifth disease. He looked like such a sorry little thing. It started with little rash-like bubbles, then developed into full blown red cheecks, followed by gunky eyes and a rash all over his body...
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| Slapped Cheek Syndrome |
Here taken from the NHS website, all about slapped cheeck:
Slapped cheek syndrome (also known as “fifth disease” or erythema infectiosum) is a type of viral infection that is most common in children, although it can affect anyone of any age.
Slapped cheek syndrome usually affects children aged between six and 10 years. Most cases develop during the late winter months or early spring.
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| Gunky eyes, rosy cheeks |
In children, the most common symptom is the appearance of a distinctive bright red rash on the cheeks. This is how the condition got its name.
Although many symptoms of slapped cheek syndrome are similar to other conditions, most cases can be diagnosed by examining the rash. Usually, no further testing is necessary in children.
Read more information about the symptoms of slapped cheek syndrome.
What treatment will my child need?
Most children will not need treatment as slapped cheek syndrome is usually a very mild condition that passes in a few days. Occasionally it can last up to four or five weeks.
There is no specific antiviral therapy available for slapped cheek syndrome.
Symptoms such as headaches, high temperature or itchy skin can usually be treated with over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and antihistamines.
Adults, especially women, who frequently develop joint pain with or without a skin rash, can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as painkillers.
You will probably only need to contact your GP if one or both of the following occurs:
• your (or your child’s) temperature rises to 39C or above
• your (or your child’s) symptoms suddenly worsen
What are the causes of slapped cheek syndrome?
Slapped cheek syndrome is caused by a virus called parvovirus B19. Parvovirus B19 is an airborne virus spread in much the same way as the cold or flu viruses. It can be spread through coughs and sneezes that release tiny droplets of contaminated saliva which are then breathed in by another person.
It's very difficult to prevent the spread of the virus as people are most contagious before their symptoms begin, so they are unaware they are infected.
Once you've been infected you should develop a lifelong immunity and not experience any further symptoms.
Tonsillitis
I am not joking, once we had Slapped Cheek over and done with the Monkey and myself got tonsillitis. Again a really high fever - 39.9, which we treated with paracetamol and ibuprophen. Alternating between the two, we gave a dose every 4 hours for almost two full days. I got the tonsillitis myself, my first one since childhood, and it wasn't fun. Rarely has anything floored me like these two weeks of high fevers, feeling unwell and not being able to eat or drink.
Moving on
But the good news is, we have been disease free for almost three weeks and these three weeks have been such a pleasure! The monkey, who is usually quite chilled anyway, was just so so happy for the first time in months. He is always happy, but this was him being ecstatic and full of energy! We love it.
Where we are at
WalkingNow at almost 15 months, this is where we are at with the Monkey's development. He finally started walking at 15 months and 5 days. Quite at the late end of normal. I wasn't overly worried about him not walking yet, still, I was happy to read a very interesting article on Dr Sears website, which can be found here. It was lovely to read that late walking does have advantages too. Mellow and social hits the nail on the head with our veggie toddler.
"Babies with easier, more laid-back temperaments tend to be later in motor-development skills, such as sitting up, crawling, and walking, but earlier in social skills, such as engaging behaviors like making eye-to-eye contact with people. Mellow babies are more content looking and playing rather than getting up and going. These babies approach changes in motor milestones more cautiously. Late crawlers and walkers tend to be less accident-prone." quoted from the Dr Sears website.
Talking
Our son doesn't say that many words just yet. He says "mih" for the German word Milch, other than that he is sticking to baby babble. Mama and Dada, Nana, something that we believe is an attempt at Granddad. But not too many clear ones. I need to point out again that I speak only German with him, while hubby speaks just English. At nursery, which he goes to for 3x3h a week, he only gets spoken to in Spanish.
Signing
We had started to sign with him very early, at about five months old. I had read quite a lot about language development and signing supporting that development. However, he never seemed particularly interested in signing. We recently started using the signs for Bath, Milk, More, Play, All Gone, Eat/Food, Drink, Yummy and Sleep again. And Voila! He is using all of them. It has been amazing being able to communicate. Sure, before he managed to point at things, which meant that he wanted them. But to be able to communicate: More when we are playing, or eating, is fantastic. Even the English grandparents don't have to get stressed at interpreting "words" which he may be saying in German.
Play
Everything is interesting. From animals, to boxes, from little dinosaur figures to books. It's all on. Running around, throwing a ball, stomping feet, "dancing", pointing... it's all one big playground out there. Water is still high on the favourite list with the local waterpark the highlight. Never have I seen him more excited than at the last waterpark trip.
Nursery
Separation anxiety is finally behind us. Sure there are days where Mama is the best, but then there are days where anything goes. He is happy at nursery, no crying when I leave him, he is happy with his grandparents and he is happy in playgroup, only refuelling on a hug every once in a while.
