~6 days 5 nights~

it was a 6 days and 5 nights stay for me and ryan in KKH.

thank goodness it wasn't rotavirus, HFMD or the likes. dr confirmed it as bacterial infection. no, not viral infection. it's bacterial infection. difference?

bacteria are single celled organisms that are 'living' and reproduce by dividing. bacteria is EVERYWHERE. even on this keyboard that i'm typing out now. or in this air that i'm breathing in now. or on the chicken that i had eaten at Swensen's just now. or in our favourite Yakult..or... ok, you get it.

virus are well, hmm...the debate is still whether they're living organisms. whatever it is, i've googled and here goes...

From WIKIPEDIA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virus

A virus (from the Latin virus meaning "toxin" or "poison"), is a sub-microscopic infectious agent that is unable to grow or reproduce outside a host cell. Each viral particle, or virion, consists of genetic material, DNA or RNA, within a protective protein coat called a capsid. The capsid shape varies from simple helical and icosahedral (polyhedral or near-spherical) forms, to more complex structures with tails or an envelope. Viruses infect cellular life forms and are grouped into animal, plant and bacterial types, according to the type of host infected.

Biologists debate whether or not viruses are living organisms. Some consider them non-living as they do not meet the criteria of the definition of life. For example, unlike most organisms, viruses do not have cells. However, viruses have genes and evolve by natural selection. Others have described them as organisms at the edge of life. Viral infections in human and animal hosts usually result in an immune response and disease. Often, a virus is completely eliminated by the immune system. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, but antiviral drugs have been developed to treat life-threatening infections. Vaccines that produce lifelong immunity can prevent viral infections.]

 virus is not an independent survivor, unlike bacteria.  they require living hosts eg, us, humans, plants or animals in order to multiply. when the virus get in our body systems, some of our cells are invaded thus producing more of such virus.

Bacterial infection vs. viral infection: What's the difference?

 bacterial infections are caused by bacteria and viral infections are caused by viruses. But they're also different in other ways.

Bacteria are single-celled "living" microorganisms that reproduce by dividing. Most bacteria can grow on nonliving surfaces, such as countertops and doorknobs. Not all bacteria are harmful. Some bacteria are even beneficial to your health. But when infectious bacteria enter your body, they can make you sick. Bacteria make toxins that can damage the cells they've invaded. Some bacterial infections, such as strep throat and tuberculosis, are contagious. Others are not.

Unlike bacteria, viruses are not "living" organisms but capsules of genetic material. They require living hosts — such as people, plants or animals — to multiply. Otherwise, they can't survive. When a virus enters your body, it invades some of your cells and takes over the cell machinery, redirecting it to produce the virus. The virus may eventually kill the host cells. Some viral infections, such as influenza and HIV, are contagious. Others are not.

The distinction between bacterial and viral infections is important. Why? Because medications that are effective against one aren't effective against the other.

Bacterial infections are treated with antibacterial antibiotics. Antiviral antibiotics are available for some types of viral infections — but not all. Taking antibacterial antibiotics when you have a viral infection won't treat the viral infection and may even be harmful. Consult your doctor for advice on a specific condition.

source : http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infectious-disease/AN00652

so, it was a Tuesday to Sunday camp KK for me and Ryan.  on that tuesday morning, i still went on to school, knowing that his temp was a 38 degrees. it was examination period for the kids in school and i figured after medication, ryan would get well within hours, just like he usually would. at almost 8.30am, MIL called to say that his fever went up to 39.5 degrees. and it was only an hour when i last checked his temp.

i didn't even ask for permission to leave sch immediately.. i only informed the 2 heads and proceeded back home to bring ryan to KK's CE(Children's Emergency). thank goodness it was not a long wait  at the hospital despite the long queue cos Ryan's condition was given priority. after taking his blood for test and checking his stools, the MO at the CE diagnosed it as viral infection and gave ibuprofen for his fever.

went on home, lil prince took his nap, his sister joined him. while his mother marked like crazy. 2 hours later, ryan woke up with a very pale face and started throwing up. i tried feeding him with porridge which he also threw up. let's not talk about his milk and plain water, he looked like a mini merlion. checked his temp again, it was 41 degrees and it had been 3 hours since i had given him ibuprofen. decided to sponge him and wait for 2 more hours for the medication to take effect.

only God knows what went on my mind within that 2 hours. ryan was like a sick cat. he couldn't sit, let alone stand. he looked so frail, i cried while holding him. that was it. i had to bring him back to the hospital.

again, given priority. ryan was given the suppository and was admitted. and the journey of the fluctuating fever began. blood in his stools, frequent moving of bowels which dr first thought was diarrhoea but confirmed it as stomach infection later. then, bacterial infection.

seriously,  i wouldn't wanna have anymore of such memories takin place in any of my children's lives. it is emotionally and physically draining..really.  

however, i was glad i 'camped' 5 nights there cos for the first 4 nights, i had a great 'kaki'. (wink at crab) heee.....and her sister, magg. haha! hilarious pair lah you two!

and of course, not forgetting all who visited ryan at the hospital,harlina, kak G, kak em, dora, kak mel, sri and rid, mak long pak long, nyayi, cik dah, abg noi, adik, cuz aida, jehan and ahmad, awin, cik nong and family, lenny and family, nyaina and yayi and cik uci and cik ana. thank you for ur prayers and keeping ryan and i company even if it's for a little while. :) mak and abah and mommy and daddy, how can i ever thank u enough?

oh kak lyn, u think i have forgotten you issit?

N E V E R hokay!!!! thank u kakak sayang for ur company on the 3rd night and staying on till very late the next day and....returned with kak mel (and my cravings for cheezels-thks to crab :p)again the following day! u ahh...really...how can i not love u so??? i remember magg's promise to you...."baju butterfly dari tekka" heee

oh, just as i was about to rejoice in happiness, marsya also got ill on ryan's last night at the hospital. i cried that night, in the cot, praying for my children's health. marsya vomited and could not retain any fluid. bobo took her to the CE and luckily she's not admitted.

Alhamdulillah, both children are recovering well now. but their parents are down. dun make me talk cos my throat fucking hurts and this migraine almost killed me while i was in class just now. i am holding up for one more day before another long weekend and it's time bobo and i spend a little time together. 

oh tomorrow, please come and go quickly....