“Why do you avoid swimming pools?”
From time to time, people ask us why we don’t allow our daughter Sophia to dip in swimming pools. Some said “Kawawa naman ang anak mo, hindi makapaligo sa pool!” We let some grins and sardonic remarks passed by. The reason is simple: the last time she swam in a pool, it endangered her life. She didn’t drown, but she got something that resulted her 2-weeks hospitalization and she almost died.
THE DISEASE
It was the last week of April 2017 when Sophia complained that she was not feeling well. She had high fever, at least 38.5 C with bad cough. We thought it was just flu or asthma attack, but when we saw rashes on her tummy, we immediately brought her to the doctor’s clinic.
DAY 1- Dengue?
Initial diagnosis was Dengue fever. After consultation, her pediatrician ordered for Sophia’s hospital confinement. We were so worried because her condition worsened after few hours. She couldn’t swallow foods. Even drinking was painful for her. At the back of my mind, I know it was not Dengue.
Then the doctor told us to backtrack her activities for the past week. We remembered that she swam in a public swimming pool in Laguna during a family outing. The pool was crowded because it was Black Saturday. The doctor was pretty sure that Sophia got sicked due to that.
Day 2- Painful Blood Extractions
The screaming during blood extractions was hard to watch. Sophia said the pain was excruciating that she didn’t want another nurse to come inside the room. Sadly, blood extraction should be done every 6 hours.
Her dengue test result was negative. I thought it was a relief, but believe me, it was more horrible to not know what virus or sickness your child has. Her doctor was trying to figure out if it was typhoid fever, measles or scarlet fever, etc.
Day 3- Worsening Condition
Sophia was not eating anymore. She couldn’t move her arms and limbs which were aching. The appearance of her rashes changed again. Doctors were giving her medicines but her fever kept on reaching 40C. I could clearly remember the instruction about her medicine, “don’t expose it to light”. In short, ‘yung dextrose niya nakabalot sa black na plastic hanggang dulo. Hindi pwedeng mailawan. This could really tell it was not a typical medicine.
Day 4- Worst
Her pediatrician-pulmonologist was very worried because she could see Sophia’s condition was worsening. She sought help from an Infectious disease specialist and a hematologist. That afternoon, Sophia underwent several tests again.
Day 5- Kawasaki Disease?
Three doctors came in to our room. They explained that Sophia was not responding well to medicines. And then, they mentioned something I never heard before, KAWASAKI DISEASE. What the heck is that, I thought that time. They said Sophia was exhibiting 4 symptoms of the disease such as strawberry tongue, high fever, rashes and painful joints. The medication of Kawasaki disease was rare and expensive, they added.
That night, we decided to transfer Sophia to another hospital.
After several days, her new doctor who was a pedia cardiologist said Sophia was getting better without the Kawasaki medication. It might still be Kawasaki or ADENOVIRUS. But one thing is for sure, Sophia got the disease in the public swimming pool during Holy Week.
Since then, her pedia and other doctors advised Sophia to refrain from swimming in public pool or spring until she reaches the age of 7.
Some of our trips have no swimming activity and we avoid hotels with pool.
Even though Sophia is already 7 years old, we’re not still allowing her to dip in swimming pools. Every time I see swimming pool, I remember Sophia’s rashes. Although some parents might raise eyebrows whenever I turn down pool party invitation, we hope they’ll understand that we just don’t want THOSE GRUELING AND TERRIBLE DAYS to happen again, those days we almost lost a battle.
So scary! Happy she made a full recovery!
Oh man that sounds so scary! thanks for sharing your experience with us!
What a horrible experience, and I believe everyone can understand the decision to not go to a pool anymore.
I am sorry to hear what happen to baby girl. But soon she will be stronger than ever. Glad you fight for it. Blessings to you.
OMG poor baby. Thank for sharing your experience it will mothers like me.
That looks awful. Poor baby, we are not much a fan on going to public pools.
Wow that is crazy, I’m so sorry that happened.
Ya, I do not go for the public pools too. It’s definitely not hygienic.
OMG! Poor baby. I feel sad she went though that.
I’m glad it’s now over.
Oh my GOD! so sad im sorry praying for her
Aww. Poor baby girl. Binasa ko talaga hanggang dulo to see if Sophia recovered. We should really be careful pala with letting our kids swim in public pools! I feel your anxiety as a parent avoiding swimming pools. Thanks for letting us know about Kawasaki disease.
What a scary experience. I’m glad that she recovered and is doing well. Praise God.
so sad This Kind of Sickness 😔😭 But I’m glad that She’s really OK na Po.. at Hindi Siya Pinabayaan ng Lord.. Keep Safe Po kayo Always My Lovely Family … I really Love All the ConteNts in ur Vlog po sobra..
IG: @_roxasedgardo1992_
Omygosh!😟 thanks to god at ok na po siya ngayon. Grabi po this is the first na nalaman ko na pwede po palang makakuha ng malalang sakit ang pagligo sa public pool. Now I prefer beach than swimming pool.
Grabe, scary your kid has to go through that. I know a friend who let her kids swim in their village pool and contracted hand foot and mouth disease naman. Kaya kelangan talaga maayos ang pupuntahan and may good sanitation protocols in place. Good thing my kids don’t get those. Yung ear infection lang pinaka malala nakuha naila sa pool
Grabe to. So far, pag nag-summer trip kami ng family ko, sa beach na. Or di kaya may private pool. Never pa ata kami nag-pool sa public as family. Takot din sila eh
ramdam ko yung stress mo! My daughter also got sick a couple of years ago, at first we thought it was dengue but the doctors can’t find out what was wrong with her. Best guess was a viral infection daw sa tyan, something sa nakain niya. And then my son had dengue almost the same time next year. And nakakaiyak talaga pag makita mo sila na nagmamakaawa na no more needles 🙁
That’s super scary and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone’s child. It’s such a relief that she’s alright. I guess with the pandemic, it’s just impossible to ever be comfortable outside again. It’s just such a scary world
I’m literally crying while reading your blog. As a mother, I don’t want that to happen to my son, it’s really hard, I felt your stuggle Mommy and the pain you felt. I totally understand why you’re not allowing here to swim in a pool.
That must have been a very scary time. I am a mom, too, so I fully understand your concern. But you never got to be sure which one is it, noh? Kawasaki or adenovirus? 🙁
Shucks! Now I know why mom always make sure that the resorts we go to offer an exquisite pool experience. I’m glad she recovered.
This is really so scary! Now I know why my parents always make sure that the resorts we visit offer amazing pool experience
Oh my this might have been very traumatic for you as parents and Sophia. She is so strong for fighting this disease. And the remarks na oh sayang Naman, don’t mind it!! Let them say what they have to say. You dont have to keep explaining! It’s not there business to begin with. 🙂
I’m so sorry to hear that! It must have been traumatizing for you and your daughter to experience that. I could understand why you will not risk another event like that to happen that’s why you don’t want to expose her in public swimming pools for now. How about beaches? Did the doctor say bawal din? And what’s the real cause daw I mean Kawasaki disease ba talaga? Grabe noh ang daming disease talaga 🙁 Keep safe always!!
I’m so sorry to hear that! It must have been traumatizing for you and your daughter to experience that. I could understand why you will not risk another event like that to happen that’s why you don’t want to expose her in public swimming pools for now. How about beaches? Did the doctor say bawal din? And what’s the real cause daw I mean Kawasaki disease ba talaga? Grabe noh ang daming disease talaga. Keep safe always!!
My heart broke with this. I’m glad that her doctors were also proactive and considered other possibilities. Now I’m curious with the diseases you mentioned because of their rarity. I hope for a day that she’ll be able to swim in a pool again without fear. 🙏
Oh wow. That is scary! I am not a fan of swimming pools din e. Too crowded.
Sophia ia brave, brave girl! Nakakatakot yung rashes and nakasmile pa sya photos. Now, I will reconsider going to public (maybe even private) resorts in the future. Risky pala yung mga ganun.
OMG! Nakakatakot naman nyan Momsh! I heard Kawasaki disease is mas nakukuha sya dun sa mga thrift clothes from abroad never thought that you could get into it by dipping in a swimming pool. Nakakatakot naman 😥 I know how traumatic the experience it is to you momsh thats why I understand. Tayo mga momshies after a horrible incident nag ooverthink na tayo which is para sa akim a precautionary measure na din. Children can have other ways to enjoy it (inflatable pool at home is way safe). Thanks for this momsh 😍
Talagang binasa ko hanggang baba mommy. Grabe, now kailangan naming mag-laylow sa swimming pools. Much probably sa beach nalang or open water para makaiwas sa ganyan na sakit. Nakakatakot . Thank you for sharing this to us. A big help indeed na.may malubhang sakit na nakukuha pala sa swimming pools.