The Results are in...Kind-of...

First of all, thanks again to everyone for being so concerned for Ethan and sending so much love our way!  As you may remember, they were working on Ethan's case at the Children's hospital this week.  The specialist called on Friday to give us their latest findings.  First, they were trying to determine if he had hives, or if he had Erythema multiforme.  They were unsure because the rash that he had presented signs of both.  The major determining factor that it was the multiforme is that he was not itchy like hives.  As I said before though, Erythema multiforme is one of those things that has a million causes.  The pediatrician we worked with at the Lancaster General ER said that it basically means "unexplained red rash."  Drug reactions and Hepatitis are the two leading causes of the rash.  Before we left the Children's hospital last week, they had taken blood samples.  All his platelets looked great.  What they did find however is that he had built up an antibody to Atypical Pneumonia (also know as Walking Pneumonia).  Somehow medically they could tell that the antibody was relatively new.  Atypical Pneumonia can cause Erythema multiforme, and is common in young children (although less common in infants).  Although he had no other signs besides his mild fever, it is possible to have the bacterial lung infection without presenting symptoms.  Thinking back, I do remember mentioning the Thursday before when we went to the gardens that he had coughed a few times Wednesday or Thursday (by few I maybe mean 4 times in the whole day), although they didn't seem to me to be anything alarming they seemed like more of a gag than a cough).  Who knows if that's even related.  So the doctor was excited for these particular results.  One reason being that it would mean that we can be less fearful of his next immunizations.  Second, it shows that Ethan has a good healthy immune system.  They are making the decision right now not to treat the Pneumonia.  He seems back to normal, and the benefits of doing nothing outweigh the risks of treatment.  He will have to have blood work done in the near future just to make sure that the infection is gone.  The fellowship is going to review his case together on Wednesday to see if we need to take any further actions concerning the immunizations, and to concluded if in fact the rash was from the Atypical Pneumonia.  So, that's where we stand.  Our little guy is such a trooper. :)