The Winter Funk

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For the most part I have to say my children are usually relatively healthy.  Every few years though we seem to have one of those years where it feels like someone is always sick during the winter months.  And right before Christmas this year I got a really bad cold which I thought for sure everyone would get, but they seemed to dodge it and instead got a stomach bug.  We all survived that horrendous bug and went on to have a great Christmas and New year.

Then my middle daughter started getting this sore throat.  It came and went on day one, on day two it was constant and painful enough to keep her from eating.  She finally started having a low grade fever and on day 3 white spots appeared on her very red tonsils.  A call to the doctor had us an appointment for day for which was more of the same of day 3 and I thought for sure I had a case of strep in my house.  It seemed pretty clear cut.  Painful sore throat that had been going on for 3 days with a fever and white spots on the tonsils, what else could it be?

Well, according to a rapid strep test not strep.  So home with instructions of keep doing what you’re doing.  Plenty of fluids, rest, and pain meds and she could go to school if she felt up to it.  And if anything grew after they sent out the strep test in the next few days they would call.  But it was clear that school was not happening.  The only time she feels good is when she’s on the Motrin.

Day 5 I thought maybe she was doing better, but literally, 8 hours after receiving Motrin she looked awful again.  So day 6 brings us to today.  Another missed day of school and we’re going back to the doctor.  I just so happen to have an appointment for my son’s physical so I’m just going to ask them to put her on the schedule while we’re there.  Maybe they’ll have the results of her swab that was sent out.  And maybe there will be something the doctor can give her to get this out.

But all of this is to say I hate this winter funk.  I hate being stuck indoors with these cold temperatures, unable to open window, and get this funk out.  I know you can never completely avoid ever getting sick (even in warm climates), but for whatever reason it always just seems much worse in the winter.  I’m really hoping we can kick whatever this is that my daughter has in the rear and no one else in the house ends up with it.

Only 71 days until spring.  Maybe that will get me through the rest of this winter funk.

Are you experiencing the winter funk or crud in your house?