Went to DC, 9 y.o son sick, tested for tularemia, results not till next

[mod mom]

week, Pediatrician called to say Childrens Hospital is not concerned that this is being put out by conspiracy theorist web sites and the CDC is not taking it seriously.

Washington Post, ABC, NBC conspiracy theorist sites? As a mother, I am concerned that my children might have been exposed to a biological agent, it was detected (even if small amounts on the 3 filters, whose to say not more prevalent in other areas within the mall) by homeland security.

comments please.

[NVMojo]

1. how scary! please keep us posted ...

[EarlG]

2. I got sick last week

after the protest. I originally thought it was a summer cold but after hearing about the tularemia stuff I decided to go to the doctor. He took a blood test and told me I was clear in about five minutes. If it helps, he also told me that in 45 years of practice he'd never seen a single case of tularemia - it's extremely rare. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[EstimatedProphet]

5. It's usually only picked up by rabbit hunters

Rabbits are the main reservoir for Tualremia.

[ToolTex]

10. Rabbits, and the DOD, that is.

n/t

[EstimatedProphet]

23. True

[bloom]

3. Doctors can be wrong... eom

[demnan]

4. Geez!

Anybody sick from being in D.C.? I wasn't sick but the air was pretty sooty.

[Melodybe]

6. We were also around 500,000 people and all of their germs

and it's flu season.

If any DUers are deathly ill we'll hear about it and I'll freak out then.

[abluelady]

11. I've Been Sick Too!

But there's been alot of stuff going around and weather changes always cause sickness. I'm not going to the dr.

[Marlie]

7. I'm so sorry.

It's bad enough to have a sick child but to have the additional
worry you do is terrible. I hope they put him on an antibiotic
right away and are not waiting for test results. Take care and
try to keep calm, your children will be OK. Bet you wanted to pop
that pediatrician.

[Der Blaue Engel]

8. Your son is probably fine

But it disturbs me that the doctor made such a statement and disturbs me even more that the CDC is dismissing it. This story was not put out by "conspiracy theoriest websites," but by national news sources, as you mentioned.

I think it's likely that those sources are correct, that it was a natural occurrence of the bacteria and probably did not cause any widespread illness, but to act as if it doesn't exist...that's disturbing.

[China_cat]

12. Playing devil's advocate here

Are these the same national news sources that showed a sobbing Susan Smith and kept the story going that her kids were taken by a carjacker?

[Journeyman]

16. Yes, the same national news sources so many here on DU. . .

denigrate as whores, incompetents and shills when it suits the purpose or the flavor of the day.

[Der Blaue Engel]

19. My point is that the doctor cited "conspiracy theorists"

Whether I believe the MSM or not, I find it kind of alarming when the CDC dismisses them as conspiracy theorists.

[mod mom]

25. I wrote to the CDC and explained my story. I also included snip-its

from the Washington Post, ABC and NBC sites. I suggested they put a place on their site where someone might be able to get information regarding possible bioterrorism releases.

You are right , it is probably correct it is just a flu or something, but the handling of it was inappropriate.

[China_cat]

29. When you consider that the 'rumor'

was put out by Homeland Security, you'll have to excuse me when I say that it makes a really good 'boogabooga' to the people who came to the protest. (See what happens when you dissent against our government, you get a disease and die)

I think it's comforting to know the CDC dismisses it. Their own website says that the bacteria is found everywhere there are rodents with the one exception of Hawaii, that only about 200 cases per year are seen and those are mostly from rural areas and easily cured.

If you're trusting Homeland Security to tell you the truth about anything, you're trusting the wrong people.

[mod mom]

30. I remember reading that the CDC is not happy w Homeland Security. Perhaps

the inappropriate handling of this incident will make them more vocal in their opposition to Homeland (In)Security. This department is greatly mismanaged even though it should be of great importance to many Americans.

[julialnyc]

9. what is tularemia?

Our whole household wa sick last week (shaking off today) I just figured it was the flu.

Wasn't in D.C

[nonews]

13. Terrorists?

Tularemia, in aerosol form, is considered a possible bioterrorist agent. Persons who inhale an infectious aerosol would likely experience severe respiratory illness. Any suspected cases of tularemia inhalation should be immediately reported to local and state health departments.

[ReadTomPaine]

14. Contact the CDC- they will expedite this procedure.

Other posters have done this and the CDC will see that you are taken seriously and get your results back much more swiftly.

You'll have your peace of mind that much faster. This said, it's likely just a cold or similar.

Best of luck!

[shadowknows69]

21. Public health and the CDC took my case seriously

turned out just to be strep but this isn't just conpiracy websites. Very irresponsible of your pediatrician IMHO.

[meganmonkey]

15. Well, the Dept of Homeland Security is rightfully called a conspiracy

theorist! :P

My closest friend is a doctor and she says if we had tularemia we would know it. It is severe, with a quick onset, and is debilitating.

I agree that the doctor's comments are inappropriate. I was prepared to print out the WaPo article if I went to my doctor. But my cold isn't getting worse, so I am sure that is all it is...

:shrug:

[Melodybe]

17. Thank you Megan!

I repeat, is anyone dead yet?

[qanda]

18. My son, 9 and daughter, 7 were both there and are sick also

Can you tell me what your son's symptoms are? There are other children sick in my neighborhood and so I don't want to overreact.

[mod mom]

26. My son 9 has fever, cough + congestion, headache, body aches,

blisters on roof of mouth (this is what concerned me-not the usual flu symptom). He tested negative for strep at the doctors office. No one else sick in his class at school. My daughter, who is also 7, is not sick.

[qanda]

28. Yikes

I'm glad you took him in. That sounds much more serious than just a common cold.

My son has had a fever since Friday and he later developed cold symptoms-- today seems to be his worst day. My daughter's fever started yesterday and she seems to be following a similiar pattern as my son and that's why I'm not very worried about them. I certainly hope your son will be okay. Keep us posted.

[leftchick]

20. I was there with my two boys 10 and 8

They are fine so far. <knocks on wood>

[helderheid]

22. I'll send positive vibes your way - please keep us posted!

[DancingBear]

24. I was there, and I'm flu-like sick

I've had a sore throat/cough for a week, and now I've got flu-like systems and my head feels like it was run over by a train.

Since I feel a tiny bit better than yesterday, I'm chalking it up to the flu.

BTW, if a flu shot will help prevent what I have I urge you all to get one.

<sneeze> <cough>

[truth2power]

27. I was there with a friend

and both of us are fine. I'm concerned, however, with the reports, here and in other threads, of people having fever blisters.

Seems like a lot of people complaining of this. What's up?