In March 2010, my middle sister turned 50. My family wanted me to be there to celebrate with her. I got permission to take the foster baby with us, so foster baby, Jessie, and I flew home to California for a week. Traveling alone with two small children was hard, but I was so happy to do it.
The weather was pretty miserable the whole time we were there. My mom stayed home with the baby the night of the party because it was raining so hard. My sister’s party was a lot of fun. There were over 150 guests there. While it was nice to see so many extended family members, Jessie was completely overwhelmed by people and wouldn’t let me put her down.
Finally the day came for us to return to Texas. Jessie was so sick that day. She had a fever and was miserable. Jessie has been sick on our last two trips to California. I gave her Tylenol and kept her as comfortable as I could in the airport and on the plane. She did so well considering that travel is stressful and boring.
Jessie’s fever lasted a couple days and then a rash started coming up in patches on her body. It was an odd rash because it came and went. I took pictures, because the rash was so inconsistent.
I got Jessie an appointment with her pediatrician the following Monday. I brought the camera so the doctor could see the rash. Everything I described about the rash was consistent with hives. Hives commonly accompany Strep Throat. Jessie started on a regimen of antibiotics, Benadryl, and Zyrtec. She started feeling better not long after starting medicine.
Strep throat is most common in children ages five to fifteen. It’s a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. Frequent hand washing will help to stop its spread.