Daily Differences Between My Life in Africa and America

#3,196: My response to a sick kid

For the past couple days, Charlie has been a little pukey, but overall has seemed in good spirits. But this morning, I found him in his bed with dried throw-up all over his sleeper and pack-n-play. And his room wreaked of, well, throw-up.

And an hour later, he has 4 diarrhea diapers right in a row. This launches a barrage of questions about what might be causing his tummy bug:

In the last 2 weeks, has he…

-Had any bug bites?

-Eaten anything strange (plants, bugs, dirt, parasites, etc)?

-Drank anything strange (dirty water, etc)?

-Touched anyone with something contagious?

-Been touched by anyone with something contagious?

-Where have we been?

-Is it just a 24-hour viral flu or is it something African?

-What are his vomit and diarrhea like?

-What other symptoms does he have?

-At what point would we need to get medical help and what tests should they run?

-What seasonal sicknesses are going around right now (malaria, cholera,   giardiasis, etc)? 

And believe me, that’s just the beginning. Out come the self-help books, like Village Medical Manual, to help make a diagnosis.

Thankfully, this time, after I’ve spent a couple hours reading, thinking through things, and monitoring Charlie, he seems to be turning the corner. Increased appetite, no throw-up, no more diarrhea for a few hours, wet diapers, and getting into mischief.

So, today, I thank God for just another ordinary upset tummy and not anything serious!