Arius got a fever of unknown origin at just 12 days old. He had no other symptoms than being hot, fussy, and not eating well. I took him to the clinic where they ran labs, urine, and did a chest X-ray. They were waiting on some labs to come back but what had returned wasn’t to exciting so they told me watch him close and come back first thing in the morning.

The next morning we went in and he was worse. Really really fussy eating worse and was still hot. One of the labs we had been waiting on came back really really high which indicated an infection or inflammation. The doctor called a pediatric specialist to ask what should be done (we live in a very rural area small hospital and clinic that can’t do everything a large hospital can) the specialist told us that she wanted Arius directly admitted to the pediatric ICU and we had 30 mins to go pack a bag and leave or she would send an ambulance to get him.

My husband and I hurried and packed a bag and hit the road the hospital is over an hour and a half away from us so we were trying to hurry. When we get there the doctor comes in and looks him over and tells us she is very concerned about him she said she wants to do a spinal tap immediately and asked us to step out of the room.

After 45 mins they let us back in. The spinal tap took them 3 tries, they drew labs, placed an IV, and attempted a straight urine catheter as well 😢

The next morning the doctor came in and said his spinal tap was positive for viral meningitis so they put him on isolation. Anytime someone came into the room they had to wear a mask, gloves, and a gown. They had him on several antibiotics and iv fluids he was getting labs drawn daily.

We were in the hospital for 4 days he had to be poked so many times and he was so sick and in pain. If you moved him he screamed (meningitis makes it hurt to move your neck) it was incredibly hard to watch him go through this. What is a scratchy throat or stuffy nose to you and me can be so serious to the little ones. As we enter cold and flu season don’t be afraid to ask people to wash there hands when they come visit or simply stay always if they are sick. I have no idea how Arius got a virus but I’m definitely going to be more cautious with people coming around him.

We got home last night and he is doing so so much better!