Thursday, January 10, 2008

My baby is in hospital...

Bella Boo is in hospital with what they think is cellultious.
Cellulitis: An acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness (erythema), warmth, swelling, and pain. Cellulitis can also cause fever, chills, and "swollen glands" (enlarged lymph nodes). Cellulitis is a clinical diagnosis based on the spreading involvement of skin and subcutaneous tissues with erythema, swelling, and local tenderness, accompanied by fever and malaise.

Cellulitis commonly appears in areas where there is a break in the skin from an abrasion, a cut, or a skin ulcer. It can also be due to local trauma, such as an animal bite. Only rarely is cellulitis due to the bacteremic spread of infection -- bacteria arriving from a distant source via the bloodstream.

Risk factors for cellulitis include diabetes and impairment of the immune system (from, for example, HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressant drugs). Cellulitis is not contagious because it is an infection of the skin's deeper layers, the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, and the skin's top layer (the epidermis) provides a cover over the infection.

The main bacterium that causes cellulitis is Staph (Staphylococcus aureus) and Strep (Group A Streptococcus) is next most common. Cellulitis can be caused by many other types of bacteria. In children under six, H. flu (Hemophilus influenzae) can cause cellulitis, especially on the face, arms, and upper torso. Cellulitis from a dog or cat bite or scratch may be caused by the Pasturella multocida bacteria. Cellulitis after an injury from a saltwater fish or shellfish can be due to the Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. These same bacteria can also cause cellulitis after a skin injury on the farm, especially while working with pigs or poultry.

Antibiotics such as derivatives of penicillin that are effective against the staph germ are used to treat cellulitis. If other bacteria, as determined by culture tests, turn out to be the cause, or if patients are allergic to penicillin, other appropriate antibiotics are substituted.

Common Misspellings: cellutitis, celluitis, cellulitist, cellolitus, cellulitous, celulitis, cellulitus

I took Boo to the chrio twice on Tuesday as after a nap she couldn't move her left arm. It was just hanging there doing nothing. I thought she needed another adjustment (which she did) but the chrio sent me to the GP in case Boo had an infection. The GP sent us to Frankston Hospital thinking it was an infection of the elbow... 4 hours in the waiting room of the emergency department (even though she was an "urgent" case) we finally got a cot for her (next to the nurses station!)

At 4.30am on Wednesday morning she was admitted to the children's ward. She is still there now and I am having a quick break to get clothes to stay overnight with her (while Nat and I tag team during the day).

Just a very quick, mainly for my records but yeah. I am exhausted (something to do with being up until after 5am on Wednesday morning and having little sleep after that.) I do have a couple of pics of Boo although it isn't like she looks sick! The one of her arm is after she had already had 4 doses of antibiotics. Boo has been pretty good only getting really upset when someone touches her arm or when she had her x-rays.
Ros

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Poor little love. Lots of cuddles and kisses from Aunty Nona please. Hope it clears up soon - it's good to have an idea of the problem. Get some rest when you can.

Speak with you soon,
Cheers
Fi

Narelle Pearce aka Sassyscrap said...

Hi Ros

Hope Bella gets better real soon, she is just gorgeous in those photos. Thinking of you and hope you get rest soon.

Sarah said...

Oh No Ros,
Please call me if you need any help at all. I am only around the corner. I am serious..

take care and BIG kisses to Bella Boo

Take care
SARAH

Katie Toland said...

Oh no Ros, that's what Brett got after his dental abscess went crazy in May. Poor darl, hope those ab's do the trick and she's back to herself very soon.

Peta said...

hope she is on the mend soon and you can get some sleep....

Deb Ross said...

Hi Ros,

Poor little Bella, I hope that she is feeling better. I am going to the hosp tommorrow to see Kirsty as Maddy is having her tonsils out and is in the Childrens Ward, will have a look out for you.

Hope that you can catch up on a little sleep.

Thinking of you
Deb Ross

Anonymous said...

OMG Ros Poor thing - I hope she's better REAL soon!!! How scary for you! Take care all of you!!! She is SOOOO grown up and VERY cUTE in those photos - and a BRAVE GIRL too!!!

Love ya

Charmane

Anonymous said...

Hi Ros,
I had to leave a comment as my baby was in hospital only last week with asthma. I hope that Bella has now fully recovered and getting under your feet again lol. Hope to meet you at Convention in Brissy.....are you going?