Today was kind of a giant mess, through no fault of our own. Last night, I had some pain on the left side of my throat and left ear. We figured it was an ear infection, so I went to the campus health center the first thing this morning. In the waiting room, I ended up seated nearby someone who had the worst sounding congestion I've ever heard. It grossed me out so bad. After getting checked out, we went back home and within minutes Joe Daddy received a "campus hygiene alert" via email that there is now a disease outbreak on campus. The disease?
Whooping cough. (Pertussis)
What?! How did that happen? Then I realized that I had JUST been to the health center and seated not too far away from someone who potentially had whooping cough. AHHH!!! Luckily, we had our pediatrician appointment already scheduled, so we went in and told Doc H what had happened and he said we should be ok, but for Joe Daddy and I to get vaccinated just in case and keep an eye on Joe for any cough/wheeze/cold symptoms that may come up in the next 14 days.
So, we got DTP vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) and although our arms are sore, we hope that will help Joe avoid the outbreak. Unfortunately, Joseph is too young to be vaccinated, so we just have to do our best to keep the apartment and ourselves (and our limited guests) well sanitized.
The rest of the pediatrician appointment went great. Joe weighed in at a hefty 9 pounds 2 and a half ounces, thus surpassing his birth weight and showing Doc H that "he can gain weight at a good clip". Also, we were told that we could give him either a little bit of Karo once a day or prune juice to keep him "regular". I was happy to hear that we're doing everything right and Joe is looking great.
Here's to hoping the P-ton undergrads don't come up with more rare diseases in the next few months.