Hell. Thy name is Virus.

While it seems like ions ago, it was probably just a couple of months back when I was interviewed for Washington Parent Magazine about disagreeing with a pediatrician. The article just came out and it seems timely given Aviva's post about medicine and viruses (virusi?).

While the article brings up immunizations and antibiotics as hot topics of disagreement between parent and pediatrician, I think "virus" is a fightin' word in parenting and pediatrician circles. My guess is if surveillance equipment was present in the examining room it would pick up on a lot of whispered expletives following the pediatrician's conclusion of "It's a virus."

It is frustrating to have a sick kid and know it's a virus and no magic meds will make it go away, both for parent as well as provider. Parents still may have to miss work if our kid has a virus. Children still may have to forgo a playdate due to a virus. Pediatricians want our kids to feel better faster and their hands are tied and no prescription can be written that will make a virus go away. All of us are at a loss when the only way for a child to feel better is treat the symptoms and let the virus run it's course.

As we all look to the beginning of the school year and the menu of myriad illness which will no doubt head our way, let us think about who we want helping our children and what makes sense for our families.

As for me, I am off to our own pediatrician's office to get Son One his DTAP booster . Oh joy!