Salmonella

[gritsar]

I for one have serious doubts that your son got salmonella from your backyard chickens. He is much more likely to have gotten it from another source, such as store bough meat or purchased salad greens and fixins. My DH has a compromised immune system and he is very carefree around my chickens. He grew up around commercial birds and a little chicken poo from some backyard birds is nothing to him. Your bodys immune system is much better equipped to handle germs from your home enviroment than from outside sources.

Read some eye-opening facts about salmonella:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/natu...gg-recall-know-where-your-eggs-come-from.aspx

http://www.motherearthnews.com/happy-homesteader/salmonella-outbreak-zb0z10zrog.aspx

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Relish/Real-Food/Salmonella-In-Tomatoes.aspx

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Relish/Salmonella-Now-Found-In-Jalapeno-Peppers.aspx

I don't see why anyone felt the need to jump on ranchhand for stating a simple fact. A child with a 103.5 fever needs to be checked by a doctor. At the very least a call placed to his pediatrician to be sure you are on the right track with his care.

I hope he recovers quickly.

 

[Shireshome]

I have never had it myself but my husband had it once as well as my oldest son. I keep silver biotics on hand for the treatment of many things including salmonella http://www.newsilverbiotics.com/page/1507467 It works really well against food poisoning; I think with my son we used 1 tb every 15 min for 2 hours and all his symptoms were done within about 4 hours after the first dose.

edited to add: A fever, is not something to be worried about, unfortunatly with the never ending commercials for childrens fever meds parents are lead to believe that fevers are somthing that we need to fight off. Quite the contrary, a fever is a tool the body uses to kill foreign invaders or infection and should NOT be reduced unless very high (over 107 measuered rectally) or unless the fever is keeping the child awake when he/she should be resting or if the child has a seizure or can't keep liquids down or is otherwise lathargic or unresponsive.

 

[alabamachick]

I think you need to reassess your priorities and get him to a professional- immediately.

That was a bit harsh.... I mean.... come on... IIII would have taken offense to that if this were about me.​

 

[kara_leigh]

Quote:
I never said we would wait until the next time we went to town. I said we wouldn't take him unless we thought it was an emergency. BIG difference. IMO I do not think this in an emergency, and I do not think that medical intervention is necessary now. Nor do I think that 103.5 is a reason to call a doctor. It is a good fever, yes, but not a really high one IMO. A fever is there for a purpose. His fever is controllable by medication, therefore, not an emergency. I don't even treat fevers until they get to 103 b/c, like I said, they are there for a reason and cannot do their job if they are held back. A fever is a beneficial tool in fighting off disease and getting you better faster. I didn't mention my background b/c that has no bearing on the situation and my asking for advice. I never asked if I should take him to the doctor.

 

[kara_leigh]

Quote:
We just got 3 new chicks, and we have only had chickens for a month. Would you not say that would be considered an "outside source"?

I disagree about needing to checked by a doctor just b/c of the fever. As many have already stated, they would just tell me to do what I am already doing now.

 

[gritsar]

From familydoctor.org:

When should I call the doctor?
If your child has any of the warning signs listed in the box below, call your family doctor right away. If your child is:

Younger than 3 months of age, call your doctor right away if your baby's rectal temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Call your doctor even if your child doesn't seem sick. Babies this young can get very sick quickly.

Three months of age to 6 months of age, call your doctor if your baby has a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, even if your baby doesn't seem sick.

Six months of age and older and has a fever of 102°F (38.8°C) to 102.9°F (39.4°C), watch how he or she acts. Call your doctor if the fever rises or lasts for more than 2 days.

Six months of age and older and has a fever of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher, call your doctor even if your child seems to feel fine.

Call your doctor if your baby or child has any of these warning signs
Constant vomiting or diarrhea
Dry mouth
Earache or pulling at ears
Fever comes and goes over several days
High-pitched crying
Irritability
No appetite
Pale appearance
Seizures
Severe headache
Skin rash
Sore or swollen joints
Sore throat
Stiff neck
Stomach pain
Swelling of the soft spot on an infant’s head
Unresponsiveness or limpness
Wheezing or problems breathing
Whimpering

I worked for a family doctor for many years. No, I'm not a CNA. I am a LPN and hold a degree in medical assisting as well. We had parents bring the kids in for any fever over 102* F. Had my mother brought my brother David to the doctor when his fever reached 103* David might still be alive to this day. Unfortunately the meningitis did too much damage for him to survive.


The OP said "Any advice and helpful stories would be greatly appreciated". As often happens on a forum of this size, some of the advice was not to others liking. That doesn't mean the member(s) should be slammed for having a different opinion.

And no, I don't consider the new chicks to be from an outside source in that they are chickens and if your son was around the older chickens his body is likely to have started developing certain immunities already.

IN 2007 my DH nearly died from sepsis from a systemic e.coli. I took him to the hospital against his will for guess what? A fever. Now guess where he got the e.coli from? Nowhere in particular. We all have e.coli in our bodies. Our immune systems normally keep in check. However DH's gallbladder had blocked up due to stones and the e.coli thrived in the gallbladder. Once the stone that was blocking the bile duct moved, the e.coli was released into his body. Doctors had to destroy his immune system in order to save his life.

Again, you asked for opinions and we have given them. I'll keep my fingers crossed that your son recovers quickly.

 

[kara_leigh]

Thanks for quoting the website, but as I already said, I don't think the fever is enough to take him to the doctor.

I can quote websites also. From emedicinehealth.com:

Fever itself is not life-threatening unless it is extremely and persistently high, such as greater than 107 F (41.6 C) when measured rectally. Fever may indicate the presence of a serious illness, but usually a fever is caused by common infections which are not serious. The part of the brain called the hypothalamus controls body temperature. The hypothalamus increases the body's temperature as a way to fight the infection.

When to Seek Medical Care

You should call your child's doctor if any of the following are present with fever.

Your child is younger than 6 months of age (regardless of prematurity).

You are unable to control the fever. His fever is controlled by medication.

You suspect your child may become dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, or not drinking (for example, sunken eyes, dry diapers, tented skin, unarousable, etc.). He is not, nor do I suspect he is dehydrated

You have been to your child's doctor, and your child is now getting worse or new symptoms have developed.

Although you may have done your best to care for your child, sometimes it is smart to take your child to the emergency department. Your child's doctor may meet you there, or your child may be evaluated and treated by the emergency doctor.

You should take your child to an emergency clinic when any of the following happen:

You have serious concerns and are unable to contact your child's doctor.

You suspect your child is dehydrated.

A seizure occurs.

Your child has a purple or red rash.

A change in consciousness occurs.

Your child's breathing is shallow, rapid, or difficult.

Your child is younger than 2 months of age.

Your child has a headache that will not go away. His headache goes away with medication.

Your child continues to vomit.

Your child has complex medical problems or takes prescription medications on a chronic basis (medications prescribed for more than two weeks' duration).

----------------
Yes, I asked for advice and you gave it. I appreciate that. I did not ask to be treated like I'm an idiot or a terrible mother for not immediately rushing my son to the hospital. I also did not ask to be questioned about something I said...i.e. that I am not taking him to the doctor b/c of his fever.

Quote:
Yet it is okay to slam me for my difference of opinion? I never slammed anyone, just disagreed and stated that I would do something different. I choose not to take my son to the doctor for a 103 fever, you choose TO take your child to the doctor. I wouldn't attack you for your decision, and I prefer not to be attacked for mine.

I will not argue about this anymore. If anyone has any other advice for me I would be happy to have it. Thanks!!

 

[kara_leigh]

Oops.

 

[mom'sfolly]

Could be salmonella, could be e. coli, could be listereosis, could be giardia, could be viral, could be anything.

You can treat the symptoms and watch, as you have; or you can go to the doctor. You asked for advice, you will get advice you don't agree with or want to hear. Bacterial infections can be very bad news, and I don't know how you tell if you are going into organ damage territory. There are so many ways to get bacterial infections, and so many different kinds, it's hard to know what it is going to be.

 

[debilorrah]

Honestly, it sounds like that God awful flu that has been going around. His symptoms sounds just like mine and Ken's when we were so sick.