Thanks PB. How does one's general condition affect the initial fever being high or low? Do you mean that someone in good condition would need a lower fever to do the job? And why would the fever start low, say around 99°, then spike to 103.5 after 2 days? Is that because the low fever didn't do the job so it kicked in higher? My understanding of the flu is that it has a sudden onset that includes a high fever. It usually doesn't begin with a cold. Oh well, he is much better now but the headache doesn't want to go away and he feels weak after sitting or lying around all week. Jen

We have the opposite problem. SD10 lives with us and visits her mom on weekends. In our home, she is the only child (well, my two adult children still live at home but she is the only one school aged). She will go to her mom's house and come home sick. At her mom's, she will play outside without shoes/socks, no jacket, and she's around other kids (her mom's boyfriend has his kids EOW) So, when she comes home sick, I miss time from work, we have to take her to the doctor, pay for that & the medicine, etc. and it can really be inconvenient. But, I agree with "it's just a fact of life", a fact I don't like but what can ya do? I think a responsible parent would keep a sick child home (we would not send SD to her mom if she is sick BECAUSE there are other kids there... but that consideration is not reciprocated so you do what YOU can... we can't control the inconsideration of others) I understand your husband's frustration with your 'making a big deal' because he probably feels he has to choose his child or his new family, but it might help to take a (step) parenting course or talk to a counselor because it's very easy to fall into the guilty parent role. [maybe even just talking to him about it might be enough] He does need to realize how important it is to be a united front and make joint decisions but it's also important for you to understand his feelings and for him to understand your concerns without any resentment one way or the other. Good luck.

She is quite sick, and it is important that she get the rest, hydration and meals she needs. How fortunate she is to have a loving mother to help out. Jeff's girlfriend sounds like a fine person as well. Family helps family when the need arises. I don't think pneumonia is contagious, but strep is, so if you handle things she has handled be sure to wash your hands. Can she sleep in her own room separate from others? I bet she will feel much better in a few days. If not, call the dr. How old is the baby?

This question made me crazy early in the NYC infection, especially after I read the article in the nyt about the author's husband's battle with covid19. To get a test, she had to walk her husband to a testing venue, even though he was very sick; no subway, taxi, Uber was possible. I kept picturing my dd getting sick and knew there was nothing anyone could do to help her and that if she got very sick, she might not even be able to get an emt there in a timely manner. When I finally heard about the importance of testing a covid-positive patient's oxygen, I immediately ordered an oximeter for her and felt a lot better when she received it. I figured she could at least monitor that level if she did become sick, and know when to try to get an emt or walk to a hospital, if it came to that. In the early days, people couldn't tell when they were in trouble because they didn't feel like their oxygen levels were low until it was almost too late. Maybe I simplified things, but it brought me a little relief from the worry.