How did we conquer Herpangina?

So yes, life has heaps of curveballs. This we know. But a major one just bombed us whilst we were on the last leg of our recent roadtrip to Malaysia.

Never had i expect this to hit us. In all my 7years of being mom, i had always been pretty cautious and thankful that my children were not subjected to this evil disease.

Photo credit: Google

WHAT IS HERPANGINA?

In short, it is a variant of the dreaded Hand Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD). With hfmd, the symptoms are a lot clearer. For starters, an obvious indication would be the bumps which will blister on the hand, foot, mouth and sometimes groin area. While it may not be the case all the time, this symptom normally surface 3-6 days after incubation of the virus. The viruses that cause HFMD are spread through close personal contact, through the air from coughing, and the feces of an infected person. Contaminated objects can also spread the disease. Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common cause and Enterovirus 71 is the second-most common cause. There are no medication or vaccination for this. Simple pain medication such as ibuprofen or numbing mouth gel may be used but that’s as much as the doctor can do. In our case, the doctor did prescribe some antibiotics for the kids.

So ok, back to Herpangina. It is caused by the same virus but it only attacks the mouth. Symptoms include sudden fever with sore throat. We experienced this firstly with Big K who for no apparant reason, developed a fever on the 5th day of our trip. I spammed her big time with my Peppermint and Young Living thieves essential oil and she recovered the very next day. So i thought all was well and we went on to have fun. But come meal time, the would complain of lethargy and getting her to eat was a pain. 

Two days later, part two happened. Whilst we were at a theme park in Ipoh, we suddenly felt that Small K was not perspiring as usual. He usually would be drenched in perspiration under such excruciating heat but he did not. We feared dehydration and got him to drink lots of water. After a few rides, we sat down in an air conditioned cafe for a break. He was running about merrily when all of a sudden, i heard a loud wail. He hit his head and fell to the ground. At first i thought nothing of it as kids running and banging into stuff is perfectly normal. Plus, he was crying to loudly. I went to pick him up and gave him a pat. I tried to console him but he was arching back in a limp manner. Finally when he managed to hold back his tears, i fed him some water. Then, the scariest thing happened! As i lifted him over my shoulder, i saw what seemed like white foam coming out of his mouth and nose! I became hysterical as his eyes seemed to be flipping white. You know, 翻白眼. He had an episode of febrile fits (read here) before and I was tremendously fearful that history would repeat itself. I calmed myself down and tried to sit him up as he vomitted more. Only then i realised it was vomit and not foam. At that point in time, the husband and Big K were at another part of the cafe and cried as I might, no one came to my aid. A lady who was seated right next to us was oblivious and carried on listening to her earphones. I dialed for the hubs desperately whilst trying to keep my boy upright for fear that he would choke on his puke. He vomitted all over me. It was messy. Finally after what seemed like eternity, the hubs returned and calmed me down as I narrated the incident. We ruled out a concussion as vomiting spells should not be immediate. Just as we decided to zip back to the hotel for some medication, the cafe assistant asked if we needed the medic to come. Now then ask! But no, we didn’t go with a medic because Small K’s temperature immediately dropped after he vomitted. He was drowsy and though his temperature was a little lower, we decided to cut things short head back to the hotel where he napped for 2hrs! We were so worried because he hardly sleeps this long! Could it really have been a concussion? There were no clinics in the vicinity and to add oil to fuel, it was Hari Raya so all shops were closed! The reception at the hotel was not conversant in English and I couldn’t even manage a wee bit of Malay. Thankfully my medicine lasted till the next two days when the pharmacy opened. By then Small K’s fever had subsided and he was pretty much back to his old self. Or so we thought. He wasn’t a champ at the dining table and complained of ulcers. We dismissed it as being heaty and thought no more. 

The following day, we went as planned and drove up hill. Up to Cameron Highlands. It was then that it occurred to me that I should give their throat a check again. I did. And this time, i found numerous ulcers at the back of their throats and under their tongue. I was still in disbelief as I did not see any blisters. Shouldn’t the package come with blisters? Nope. Apparently not for Herpangina. The incubation period for Herpangina is usually 4days. So counting back, we probably caught it on our first day in Malaysia. The entire duration from incubation till recovery is from one to two weeks. It is contagious and we didn’t want others to be harmed, hence we stayed pretty much in the room. Well meaning friends were urging me to head home but the trip back with two sick kids and a sick mother would prove to be challenging. The rooms had been paid for in anycase plus there are no medication for Herpangina, so I thought why not just stay and enjoy the cold air plus room service. Going back home would mean I have to be a slave and I was certainly in no condition to be one. In fact, i had it worst. I had all the symptoms. Bad throat, fever, bodyaches and a tremendous headache which caused me to vomit.

My usually cheery little boy could not smile or talk. He could only whine. Every 5 seconds!

HOW TO CURE HERPANGINA?

Well, while there aren't any known cures at the moment, it does help if you ensure that they constantly sanitize their hands, gurgle with mouthwash and drinks lots of water although we all know how painful that is. The below are some other things we did to help speed up the recovery:

Ling Yan (Antelope's Horn)

This is a traditional concoction and the ingredients are found at most Chinese Medical Hall. Everything is packed nicely so you don't have to figure out what's what. Just pour one cup of water to it all and have it double boiled. It is typically used to cure high fevers, but an old granny told me that it is good for HFMD too so it was worth a try. It is extremely cooling for the body, hence I got both kids to share one cup. 

This was the double boiler I used. Cute right? Perfect size when I have to brew just one cup of anything. The boy hated the taste but to mask the bitterness, I added winter melon strips as well as some rock sugar. 

Fruits

FRUITS! lots of them! To provide them with the necessary Vitamin Cs to boost their immunity and to heal!. We received a shitload of organic Avocados and papayas from our friend who owns a farm up on Cameron Highlands. Wonder when are we gonna finish eating those Avocados!

Essential Oils

These were the oils which I used diligently on both Ks. It was a must especially for Young Living's Thieves which has anti-viral properties. I applied them on their soles periodically and diffused it around the house. Copaiba was applied to their throats to aid healing. ImmuPower is a powerful blend of therapeutic-grade essential oils that create a fragrant and protective haven while increasing positive energy. It provides healthy immune system support. A must-use during this period.

Green & White carrot (daikon) Soup

This soup is known for its detoxing properties and that is exactly what we all needed. It's really a simple soup to boil. Just add in approximately 300g of pork ribs and 5 pieces of dried scallops to 2 litres of water, bring it to a boil and add in the sliced carrots. I try to avoid adding red carrots as what some recipes call for as a TCM physician once mentioned that it will cancel out the effects of the daikon. This soup has a strange smell. Kindof like a fart so when I was boiling it, Small K actually asked me who farted. haha

Green Bean Soup

Another good one for detoxing the body. Remember to add those sago. Chill it and have the patient to drink. Though I'm not an advocate of cold stuff especially for kids, it goes easier on the throat and make them more willing to eat. 

China Barley

Barley. Not any kindof barley, but the China type. I think it is because it's more cooling? Some believe that these ulcers sprout out because of heatiness. While scientifically we know it isnt, it doesn't harm by taking some of these to aid the mend. Once again, you can find them conveniently packed and sold at the local medical halls. Just add water and boil for approximately an hour. 

Soupy but nutritious food

Mee sua soup which is easier to swallow. Even if they don't eat, try to ensure that the stock has heaps of nutrients by adding corn, carrots, ikan billis and meat. 

It was a nightmare feeding them during our trip. Especially Small K who didn't quite understood the repercussions of not eating and drinking. At one point in time, he only ate 3 slices of fishcakes! I wanted to cook for him so badly! Once back home, I whipped up whatever I could find in the fridge and he tried eating a little more. He even complimented my cooking. Awww this little one is so good with his words. Try cooking porridge but remember to sneak in those nutrients. I added in wolfberries and threadfin as well as dried scallop which made it extra tasty. Even Big K who hates porridge ate a full bowl. I made them egg mayo sandwich though it didn't sound like an easy thing to eat. But it was their favourite and hence, they braved the pain and gobbled down 3 slices! Yup, cook their favourites, that would certainly help!

After 2 weeks of tender loving care, the both of them have finally recovered. My cheeky little monkey is back with his antics, frustrating me every 5 seconds. But I wouldn't have it any other way!

Stay Safe, folks!

Small K learns to swim with The Swimming Room

Swimming has always been a nemesis for me. Don't get me wrong. I love to swim. I love the waters. I even swam in competitions back when I was a student. However, the phobia came when I became Mom. Big K had always been afraid of the water getting into her eyes. She would scream bloody murder each time we washed her hair. This phobia extended to the pools. It was traumatic. As such, when Small K came along, I was afraid to start him off swimming. However, this boy displays more guts than his sister. He has his reservations but you can see the glitter in his eyes when it comes to water play. Perhaps due to his sister's reactions, the boy's fear built up over time. He would not jump into the water on his own unless you cajole him and hold his hands. It was tiring. I thought all children would yearn to jump into the water? Well, apparently not mine.

That said, after much thought, I felt that the procrastination wasn't going to do us good. Perhaps starting Small K off proper swimming lessons would motivate Big K to do better. With that, we started our journey with The Swimming Room. The Swimming Room is a premium swim school that provides holistic swim-learning journey to all ages. We chose to have our lessons at the NTU Alumni Club even though it is right over on the other end of where we are living! After hearing about my plight, our friend mmlittlee convinced us that the friendly coaches over at The Swimming Room would be able to help. To be frank, I was having my jitters, but the husband thought it was worth a try. Now, if even the husband was willing to drive from the East to the West on a weekly basis, it meant something. The husband is someone who loves living in his comfort zone. Even for our meals, he detests travelling for more than 10minutes drive away. He needs a lot of nudging. If I say I'd like to bring the kids to the Singapore Zoo, which once again, is on the other side of where we are reside, he would give me a NO without hesitation. Perhaps it was the mental drain he was feeling from teaching Small K how to swim and after seeing the battles we had with our older child, he knew, it's best to send them to the professionals.

So we started our lessons in end April. Small K was very excited that he was finally having lessons with the sister albeit in a different group. The amazing water play area was a big draw and made everything else easier. That was the biggest pull factor for us to travel as it plastered big smiles on their faces. It was such a draw for the kids that I find it difficult to get them to leave after our lessons. Often, we would hang around for a minimum of half an hour! 

Mummies/ daddies, I have another draw to share with you! There is a spa right next door! Some day, just some day, I will visit that place and leave the kids in good hands! Just you wait, Gold Wellness.

Upon registration, we were given a wetsuit and a cap. Something which amused the kids. They aren't used to wearing caps and I think putting this uniform on gave them a sense of belonging. Small K didn't quite understand that his sister wasn't going to be swimming with him in the same group and that did make him a little anxious. Coach Eugene and Coach Joann were however, able to make him feel at ease. It was really great that there is an extra pair of eyes watching these little nemos. Puts me to ease as I stare blank for a moment. 

Coach Eugene has several tricks up his sleeves. He made used of a watering can to shower the kids' heads, to give them a feel of water going down their faces. Good idea as some kids really hate having the idea of water trickling down their faces. Then came the challenge. He wanted Small K to jump into the pool without assistance. As usual, Small K wasn't comfortable, but with persuasion, he was jumping with ease by the end of the lesson and couldn't stop. In fact, this gan jiong spider jumped into the pool before being asked and accidentally cut his chin! The team was quick to follow up with first aid as the boy tried to hold back his tears. I guess he didn't want to mah-lu (meaning: embarrass) himself too much. 

At the back of my mind I thought, "Great, he wouldn't want to attend lessons now and could have phobia!" But I was wrong. He did cry, but stopped after a while when Coach Eugene tried to make him smile and I told him he could hang out at the slide with his sister. That made him smile again and the following week, he was asking if we could go in earlier in order to have more time in the waters!

PROGRESS AFTER 2 MONTHS

New friends: While he doesn't quite talk to his swim buddies, you can tell that he is completely at ease. It helps a lot that Coach Eugene dives into the lesson by chit chatting with them and incorporating certain activities which make them feel less stressed, if any at all. He makes things fun, before all the serious stuff comes along. 

Confidence: Small K is now displaying great confidence in the pool. He is able to do his kicks with his kick board independently and insists that he needs to practise swimming on his own. There was once I caught him going into the 1.2m deep pool with his sister and there were no adults with him! *HORRORS. He is that gung-ho now. He is able to swim the entire length of the pool and back with the kick board. Coach Eugene terms it as going overseas and the kids have to pass him their passport. That delighted them. 

Initially, Small K doesn't really quite like putting his head in the waters as the water probably stings his eyes. He dislikes the goggles too you see. Now, he is constantly bobbing his head up and down, in and out of the water and is able to hold his breath for 10seconds. Being a father himself, I appreciate the way Coach Eugene interacts and talks to the children. Punctuating his conversations with funny antics and engaging in silly conversations, sometimes is just the way to make little children comfortable. I, for one, am always acting like a clown when with kids. But this ability doesn't come naturally for all people. The children can sense your sincerity. Coach Eugene's enthusiasm rubs off Small K. He is now asking us to bring him for swims every other day! I'm glad that we have found the right coach.  

Diving like a champ! That's what he is able to do now! It seems so natural for him to dive down to grab the colourful hoops which Coach Eugene has placed down on the floor even on the first lesson! I really like it that The Swimming Room is equipped with so many tools. I have always wondered with our previous coaches, why do they not have stuff to engage the kids? All they have, mostly, are a kickboard and hoops. More need not be good, but with kids this age, it will certainly help. Coach Eugene has a variety of tools for this purpose. He even has a big hoola hoop which he uses to train the children. It tickled me as it looked like he was training dolphins. But you know what? Small K loved it! 

Swimming WITHOUT the kickboard. YES! The boy is able to do short distances without the kickboard! He still can't quite control himself and would swim out of line, but it was a #proudmamamoment when I saw him swim on his own just after 2 MONTHS!

Laying on his back. He doesn't quite like the act of being a pancake but he is getting there. He would talk fondly about being a chocolate pancake or a pizza. I'm glad that he isn't resistant and is trying his best to overcome his insecurities. 

He idolises his coach. The boy is very proud of his coach I'm sure. For starters, he is constantly talking about Coach Eugene each time we went swimming. He would linger at the lift lobby where there was a The Swimming Room poster, and would shout out in pride "That's Coach Eugene! He's my coach!"

With their team of 15 fun -oving and professional coaches, it is really a school you'd want to enrol your child in. Everything is so systematic! They've even got an admin to handle your enquiries so you don't need to wait till the coach is out of the pool! In addition, when the weather is bad and lessons have to be cancelled, you'd receive an sms as well as email! How professional is that? Previously, I was the one who had to text the coach to ask if there was going to be lessons at all. I could sometimes be giving a chaser for up to a week and frankly, that made me tired not to mention several plans were thwarted. The Swimming Room has a proprietary online progression system that allows their coaches to update the skill set taught to your child. Their classes are structured into different levels (from starfish to sharks) to help with learners of all ages. It is vital that they recognise that students may progress at different speeds but most importantly, these children should achieve learning objectives whilst having fun! 

I'm really glad that we started our journey with The Swimming Room. The drive down is totally worth it! Afterall, Singapore is just so small! There is a referral programme promo, so do let them know I'm your friend will you? :P

If you are not ready to travel, they can also come to you! Find out more from them:

TSR Pool @ NTU Alumni Club Level 4

11 Slim Barracks Rise

Singapore 138664

Email: Admin@TheSwimmingRoom.com 

Tel: +65 6908 5006/ 9644 3077

Links: Facebook | Instagram | Web

Disclaimer: We are invited for classes for the purpose of this review. No additional monetary compensation was received. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and written to my experience in using the services.