I consider myself to be someone who is pretty on top of things when it comes to my son’s health.  After we found out about his heart defect, there wasn’t much of a choice.  Lots of doctor appointments and medication prescriptions and blood tests will just automatically make you more aware.

Except for one thing.

My son takes aspirin daily to keep his blood a little thinner and flowing through his body properly.  Because of this, I didn’t really know that aspirin is something that doctors do not recommend for children.  Like, if your kid is sick, aspirin is not an option.

Last week, Stevie received his chicken pox vaccination.  I didn’t think much of it, because we’re just getting him caught up and that one was on the list.  On Monday, a spot showed up on his cheek.  On Tuesday, another showed up on his thigh.  On Thursday, a third showed up on his stomach.  So, of course I jumped on Google to find out if this was common after receiving the vaccine.  Turns out about 10% of people will still get a mild case of chicken pox even if they’ve received the vaccine.  Are we really surprised that Stevie’s in the minority?  No. So I wasn’t too worried.  Until I started reading more of the warnings.

The one that stood out to me was that aspirin should not be taken for 6 weeks after receiving the chicken pox vaccine, or during a break out of any viral infection.  It can cause SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING side effects. Namely, Reye’s Syndrome.  It is a syndrome that quickly attacks the body and can cause death within days or even hours of contracting.  It’s not common, especially after this warning was issued in the 80’s, but it can happen.

SAY WHAT?!!!!!

So I paged my doctor late at night and she said that yes, this is true.  Unfortunately, it had slipped her mind that he was on aspirin (as she was not the one who prescribed it.)  I love, love, love with a capital L Stevie’s pediatrician.  But I was boiling inside.  I was mad at all of his doctors.  How could no one have told me about this?!  As soon as he got on aspirin as part of his daily regimen, I should have been given a warning.  Maybe I’m the only idiot in the world who just didn’t know.  But even if he had gotten the flu and was taking his aspirin, it could have been bad.

He seems fine.  We do have to keep an eye on him, but I don’t want to freak anyone out.  Even though I’m pretty sure this gave me a stomach ulcer.  I am embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know this.  But I did want to remind people – especially my fellow heart mamas – that this is something to be aware of.  If your baby takes aspirin, hold off on the chicken pox vaccine.  If they get a viral infection, talk to you doctor immediately about whether aspirin is still safe.  Just a friendly reminder from a clueless mother!  Sheesh.