Many of us have encountered chickenpox, a childhood illness that can be quite unpleasant. However, for one mother, the situation took a terrifying turn.
Haley Lyons, residing in Warrington, England, sought medical help when her son Lewis’s fever spiked alarmingly.
The doctor recommended ibuprofen, a common pain reliever and fever reducer. Trusting the doctor’s advice, she administered the medication, unaware of the grave consequences to follow.
Subsequently, Lewis’s condition deteriorated rapidly after taking the tablets, leading to his second hospitalization due to a severe infection.
The prescribed tablets had a detrimental effect on chickenpox patients, prompting this mother to sound a cautionary alarm to other parents about the risks involved.
Despite posting her warning on Facebook in 2016, the message remains pertinent today!
“Chickenpox is making its rounds again. I urge everyone not to administer nurofen/ibuprofen to your children…”
Four different local doctors prescribed it for Lewis to aid his sleep. This type of medicine, being anti-inflammatory, exacerbates the complications in chickenpox by driving them deeper into the skin tissues.
It wasn’t until their visit to Alder Hey, as the local hospital kept dismissing it as ‘just chickenpox,’ that they discovered the severity of the situation.
Upon arrival at Alder Hey, Lewis was diagnosed with sepsis and promptly admitted.
Hayley’s vigilance and prompt action saved Lewis from a potentially tragic outcome.
Without the expertise and care provided by the doctors at Alder Hey, the situation could have been far worse.
Always opt for CALPOL (a paracetamol-free medication) to reduce fever. Nurofen’s website confirms that this medication does not exacerbate chickenpox. (This information was learned post-incident). Nevertheless, when prescribed by doctors, it’s challenging to challenge their expertise.”
Thanks to Hayley’s attentiveness, Lewis’s health crisis had a positive outcome.
For more information on chickenpox and symptom management, visit the official CDC website.
Remember, seeking a second opinion is wise when in doubt. Prevention is always better than cure!
Help us spread awareness by sharing this article on Facebook to alert other parents dealing with chickenpox in their children.
