Question1st questions:
I am the maternal grandmother of three(3) young children, ages 8, 7 and 4. I've been informed today by my daughter that my 7 yr.old grandson has contracted "impetigo?", and that it is very very infectious. She is quarantined at home with the 3 kids for the remainder of this week. We are in Canada and of course I can call the medical clinic or the hospital for questions/answers by thought contacting your site would be faster.
Don't know if the spelling is right, but must know what impetigo is, what causes it, how serious can an infection be, is there any lasting effect, etc.?
My daughter recently separated from her husband and has multiple problems including health ones, at the moment. Included is the following.
2nd questions:
My 8 yr.old grandaughter is having nightmares on a regular basis. These nightmares apparently started a bit before her parent split. I had 2 of the kids for the month of July and the 8 yr.old seemed fine for a couple of weeks but then began being afraid of sleeping alone, let her sleep on the sofa in the living room(nearer to our bedroom), she began waking up in a dreamlike state, scared stiff, couldn't touch her, she didn't seem to know where she was or who I was...it seemed she was dreaming and awake at the same time. It took me a couple of nights to realize she was having nightmares and sleep walking as she would sometimes come to our bedroom in a very frightful state.
I spoke to my daughter this evening(she lives out of province about 3-1/2 hours away) and she says that Megan the 8 yr.old has had the same type nightmares for 4 nights in a row. She wakes up scared stiff, frightful, not knowing who her mother is, crying for her mother, can't touch her. It takes up to an hour to wake her and quiet her down gently...
The children are seeing counsellors I think, but seems to me that if my child was having the type of nightmares, etc., I would talk to my family physician? Am I right on this...I'm worried sick about the children.
Sorry if I'm writing a bible here...
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
AnswerPerhaps not quite a bible, just a long psalm :-).
As far as impetigo, 48 hours after the kids start either oral or cream antibiotics they are not contagious any longer. A week is a bit of overkill (in my opinion). Impetigo is a bacterial (Staphlococcus) infection of the skin. It usually forms crusty, honey colored lesions on the skin. Usually, topical or cream antibiotic ointment is sufficient to treat, depending on the degree of infection and symptoms.
As far as the nightmares, the counselor is a good place to start, but it never hurts to have her evaluated by her physician. This can benefit not only the daughter, but the parent(s) as well. All in all, it may simply take some time for adjustment and evaluation, but I realize the whole situation for all involved may be pretty frightening. I would agree with you that your granddaughter should see her physician in addition to the counselor, and that the nightmares should be brought to the attention of both professionals.
Hope that helps.
