Newborn and sick kid question

[jeaniebueller]

DD has an ear infection and was put on amox yesterday evening. My sister just had a baby last weekend and we are going this weekend to visit. Should I leave DD with my mom so she doesn't expose my new nephew, or by Saturday should I not worry too much? FWIW, DD doesn't walk yet, so there is really no chance she will be touching or holding the newborn. I am obviously also going to ask my sister what she thinks but she tends to be non alarmist and I am not when it comes to newborns.

[starburst604]

I *think* that the ear infection itself is not contagious. Was there a cold that preceded it? The cold would be the contagious thing, though usually it's past the contagious stage by the time an ear infection shows up.

[jeaniebueller]

She didn't have a cold with it, just a low grade fever.

[Deleted]

I would leave her with your mom. Even if she doesn't touch the baby directly, you will be touching both her and the baby. I wasn't alarmist either, until my 3 week old was hospitalized for a sepsis workup for a low-grade fever. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

[jeaniebueller]

Jul 30, 2015 10:46:06 GMT -5 @missy1 said:

I would leave her with your mom. Even if she doesn't touch the baby directly, you will be touching both her and the baby. I wasn't alarmist either, until my 3 week old was hospitalized for a sepsis workup for a low-grade fever. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

Yeah, I already told her that I was leaning towards not bringing her and my sister was kind of hurt acting because she wants to see DD, but I generally don't mess around when it comes to newborns and definitely lean towards erring on the side of caution.

[curbsideprophet]

I would not be concerned about an ear infection. I would be concerned about the fever.

[meltoine]

Most infections are no longer contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics, so even if she was contagious she won't be by the weekend.

[Deleted]

She should be perfectly safe to have around the newborn--BUT I would call your sister, give her all the facts, and let her make the judgment call. I would be really clear that you are totally fine with leaving DD with your mom so she does not feel pressure.

If she can't decide or seems iffy I would err on the side of leaving her.