usvi-on-line
skin parasites? help!
We went to the ID today. He is undecided about what is going on. He can't decide if it is the leftovers of a bad infection or if it is possibly the leishmaniasis (rare). He has a call into the CDC about what to do as it of course is rare to be diagnosed here.
The concern for me is it is the leishmaniasis and it is healing (could come back later). Of course that is a long shot, but I would like to know-yes or no.
So now the issue is how hard I push to find out without being an insane lunatic mother with too much of a medical background. (I could tell that was what he was thinking-it is really annoying). It is true that I consider every possibility. That is what I consider as my job as a mom. I wish the doctors would do the same, although I understand the usual solution is most often the most simple/obvious one.
The concern for me is it is the leishmaniasis and it is healing (could come back later). Of course that is a long shot, but I would like to know-yes or no.
So now the issue is how hard I push to find out without being an insane lunatic mother with too much of a medical background. (I could tell that was what he was thinking-it is really annoying). It is true that I consider every possibility. That is what I consider as my job as a mom. I wish the doctors would do the same, although I understand the usual solution is most often the most simple/obvious one.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a possibility; however it is very rare in the United States and I would assume in the Virgin Islands as well. It tends to more common to southeast Asia and to certain areas of Central and South America.
To my understanding, diagnosis is not always easy and often will yield false negatives.
The ID person is right in my opinion to consult the CDC. You have probably looked at it already, but the CDC has a good website that covers various parasitic diseases
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/
Good luck and good holidays.
To my understanding, diagnosis is not always easy and often will yield false negatives.
The ID person is right in my opinion to consult the CDC. You have probably looked at it already, but the CDC has a good website that covers various parasitic diseases
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/
Good luck and good holidays.
Its been a hell of a ride, destination still unknown!
UF prof, I know. I am trying to just put this to rest and try not to worry. I know he is a good doctor.
The only thing that keeps haunting me is that poor cow wandering around on St. John with its face rotting off.
I am sure it is a longshot that my daughter would have it and I certainly don't wish for it. The only reason I even thought about it and researched tropical diseases was because the infection wasn't behaving in a typical way and our pediatrician was puzzled. So I felt I needed to tell him we had been in the tropics.
So I will just have to trust the CDC and the doctor, unless things take a turn for the worse.
Thanks for your advice. Everyone's, actually, and I hope everyone has a great holiday.
The only thing that keeps haunting me is that poor cow wandering around on St. John with its face rotting off.
I am sure it is a longshot that my daughter would have it and I certainly don't wish for it. The only reason I even thought about it and researched tropical diseases was because the infection wasn't behaving in a typical way and our pediatrician was puzzled. So I felt I needed to tell him we had been in the tropics.
So I will just have to trust the CDC and the doctor, unless things take a turn for the worse.
Thanks for your advice. Everyone's, actually, and I hope everyone has a great holiday.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
djmom,
I think the cow's (actually a bull) infection and your daughter's are totally unrelated. I think the bull was injured and then likely got a staph infection that got out of hand before any treatment was given.
I understand your concern, but it sounds like the place on your daughter is localized and is not spreading. If it is leishmaniasis, it will likely not spread and it also explains why antibiotics are ineffective. Hopefully you will hear soon from the ID doc and what the CDC recommends.
Hard to do I know, but try not to worry too much and enjoy the holidays.
I think the cow's (actually a bull) infection and your daughter's are totally unrelated. I think the bull was injured and then likely got a staph infection that got out of hand before any treatment was given.
I understand your concern, but it sounds like the place on your daughter is localized and is not spreading. If it is leishmaniasis, it will likely not spread and it also explains why antibiotics are ineffective. Hopefully you will hear soon from the ID doc and what the CDC recommends.
Hard to do I know, but try not to worry too much and enjoy the holidays.
Its been a hell of a ride, destination still unknown!
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mindehankins
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No news from the doctor, which I am going to take as good news. It is slowly healing. He said he would call if the CDC said he needed to test it for the parasite.
It would have been nice to get a call either way though because I don't know if he has been able to talk to anyone.
Re. the cow, I told you I am an insane lunatic.
My logical mind knows it is unrelated, but when you get worried, you start cooking up crazy stories and I have worked myself into a big worried mess.
Although I am feeling better about it now.
Merry Christmas and thanks everyone for making me feel better. I can't talk to my husband about it because he is really sick of me freaking.
It would have been nice to get a call either way though because I don't know if he has been able to talk to anyone.
Re. the cow, I told you I am an insane lunatic.
My logical mind knows it is unrelated, but when you get worried, you start cooking up crazy stories and I have worked myself into a big worried mess.Although I am feeling better about it now.
Merry Christmas and thanks everyone for making me feel better. I can't talk to my husband about it because he is really sick of me freaking.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
djmom, you can't possible imagine how much I totally relate. Climb in my boat, I do the same thing. I am amazed (and envious) of the parents that can keep their kids' health issues in perspective because I can't.djmom wrote: Re. the cow, I told you I am an insane lunatic.