5th Jan Croup

Haven got time to do much updates as Ryann wasnt feeling very well for the past few days. Went to Doc Tan this morning after 3 days of persistant fever up to 39 degrees which refuse to go down after brufen and paracetamol. On Sunday, sis called me and told me that she found lots of red spots in Rhys's mouth and suspect hfmd. One of his classmates in his CC got hfmd too.

My heart sank when i heard that. When Ryann's fever didnt go down, I was so worried and i kept praying and praying to God that he will heal Ryann. Ryann couldn't sleep at night as he was coughing and the fever was making him real uncomfortable. Every time he cough he will start to cry. Poor boy. It is so painful to see him like that.

After seeing Dr. Tan, she diagnosed Ryann to have got Croup. I seriously have no idea what it is thus i am sharing this information here after doing some research.

Croup is a swelling of the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). Croup can be caused by allergies, bacteria, or inhaled irritants, but usually it's the result of a virus.

Most children with viral croup are between the ages of 3 months and 5 years old. The illness shows up most frequently between the months of October and March. Most cases of croup today are not serious, but a severe case can require hospitalization.

Croup is characterized by a loud cough that may sound like the barking of a seal and may be accompanied by fast or difficult breathing and sometimes a grunting noise or wheezing while breathing.

At first, a child may have cold symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose for a few days and may also have fever. As the upper airway (the lining of the windpipe and the voice box) becomes progressively inflamed and swollen, the child may become hoarse, with a harsh, barking cough.

Dr. Tan gave him medication that contains steroid which helps to reduce the swelling of the windpipe and vocal cords, and thus relieves the breathing difficulties
Dr Tan mentioned that croup conditions might move downwards to the lungs if left untreated. This might lead to bronchitis. I really hope Ryann will recover soon.

I hope it is just pure coincidence that Ryann fell sick the moment i stop breast feeding. This thought certainly hurt me alot. It gave me lots of guilt. I may not be able to supply enough breast milk for Ryann but i am definitely giving lots of tender loving care to Ryann.
Please pray for Ryann's speedy recovery.

p/s: Thank God, Dr Tan checked on Rhys. it is not hfmd. Phew....