Calling medical types!

[Sparklelu]

I know call my own doctors and I did , just waiting for a call back from the office as it is after hours. Thought I would get advice as I wait trying not to get hysterical....
Nutshell story: 19 yr old DS came home from class today, glassy eyed, headache, fever 99-101 depending on when we took it. Sore throat, achy feeling and sore neck.
His best friend who he spent this past weekend with was admitted to ER Tuesday with meningitis, viral Dx after lumbar puncture(yuck). The other boy he was with is also sick, but he has strep throat.
What are the chances he has strep and not viral
meningitis?

 

[JulieN]

Re: Calling medical types!

Sore neck stands out as meningitis, but it could be sore from swollen lymph nodes, the descriptor I'm reading actually calls for a stiff neck. A sore neck is not the same thing as a sore throat. However, the probability that it is meningitis over something else is very small.

In any case, please try not to freak out.

 

[Sparklelu]

Re: Calling medical types!

Thanks. Dr says head to ER so off we go.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Calling medical types!

good luck!

 

[Enerchi]

Re: Calling medical types!

Its the sore neck that sold me on the ER trip - hope DS is well, Elisateach - please come back and advise!

Fingers crossed and DUST DUST DUST for DS!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Calling medical types!

Oh, I hope it is just strep, if anything!!! Let us know Elisa!

 

[Sparklelu]

Re: Calling medical types!

Sitting in the ER. Thank heavens for wifi. Temp is 102 and they slapped a mask on him. The nurse pointed out he also has pink eye! See that's what he gets for going to UF this weekend they don't call it the swamp for nothing!

 

[madelise]

Re: Calling medical types!

Sitting in the ER. Thank heavens for wifi. Temp is 102 and they slapped a mask on him. The nurse pointed out he also has pink eye! See that's what he gets for going to UF this weekend they don't call it the swamp for nothing!

Elisateach, I giggled at your response to the pinkeye! I'm glad that one got caught! Hope all is well with your son and that he feels better soon.

 

[iLander]

Re: Calling medical types!

I don't think it's meningitis or pink eye. A high fever often causes pink around the eyes (at least in my kids it always did), and pink eye really needs to be cultured to be properly diagnosed. Meningitis is a painful, stiff neck, not a little sore.

If he did travel out of town, he probably just picked up a cold or flu.

What is that saying about medical diagnosis? Oh yes; when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.

 

[Enerchi]

Re: Calling medical types!

"the swamp"

I'm with iLander - it may very well BE pink eye, but he could also be dehydrated with the 102F fever, so that makes mucosal membranes appear pinker. If he's got sticky yellowish green discharge and his lids are sticking together ... then I'll buy into the pink eye diagnosis! (aren't medical descriptions disgusting?? )

 

[lin_ny]

Re: Calling medical types!

I'm a nurse. Don't know a ton about meningitis... but it sounds like plain 'ol influenza to me. Hope he feels better soon!!

 

[jstarfireb]

Re: Calling medical types!

Viral meningitis and the flu or common cold can have a lot of similar symptoms. The fact that he was in close contact with someone who has a confirmed diagnosis of viral meningitis is what scares me. I'm glad you went to the ER. The ER doc can evaluate him in ways we can't and can decide if a lumbar puncture is indicated.

ETA: That said, viral meningitis is typically much less severe than bacterial meningitis, so at least you have that going in your favor!

 

[Sparklelu]

Re: Calling medical types!

News is.... Spinal Fluid was clear. Pretty sure its not a bacterial infection.They have decided to let him go home. His headache is gone for now thanks to the medication. he is very tired and dizzy. they feel It is a virus, possibly meningitis but since they not do anything for viral but treat symptoms the dr convinced infectious dept to let him go home. The pink eye is virus from what ever bug they picked up
Never a dull day!

 

[jstarfireb]

Re: Calling medical types!

Sounds promising! It's true that the treatment for viral meningitis is just supportive care. I hope he feels better soon!

 

[Sparklelu]

Re: Calling medical types!

ER visits are always interesting, was treated to an elderly indigent gentleman attempting to climb out of his bed revealing all God gave him! And then proceed to relieve him self on the floor while nurses, doctors and orderlies are all yelling at him to stop!
Oh and one of my students little sisters was there, she fell off a piece of playground equipment and broke her arm.
Time for bed!

 

[madelise]

Re: Calling medical types!

ER visits are always interesting, was treated to an elderly indigent gentleman attempting to climb out of his bed revealing all God gave him! And then proceed to relieve him self on the floor while nurses, doctors and orderlies are all yelling at him to stop!
Oh and one of my students little sisters was there, she fell off a piece of playground equipment and broke her arm.
Time for bed!

I work in one (very very part time). It surely is interesting Gotta love it. Work is NEVER boring. Glad your son is okay. Hope that pink eye doesn't spread to anyone else in the family, or to his other eye! I've had pink eye once, and it is the WORST. I'd rather have the flu.