[cortfel]

HI everyone-
I was just wondering if anyone, who brought their angel home, found a large red welt on their arm. We thought it was a spider bite, but the ER told us it was a reaction to some sort of vaccination, about 4 weeks after we came home. I just wanted to share this information, and wonder if anyone else had a similiar experience when they arrived back from Guatemala with their little one....

Please let me know.
THanks,
Cortfel & Alora

[annaguat]

Upper arm right? My DD from the pacific had that. I think it is for TB? Anyone? Anna

[TBullockFNP]

Sounds like the BCG vaccine. It's for TB and gives a red, blistery area....kinda like the old smallpox vaccine.

[becky]

That is exactly what it is and that blister can take months to heal and then the child will have a scar on the upper arm.

[pedinp2b]

Funny that you should bring this up! Cenah has the same red, hard lump on her shoulder (deltoid area). The red part itself is not very large, but if you touch it, you can feel a very hard lump that is quitelarge underneath. When we saw my pediatrician, I was told that it was probably a hematoma caused by an immunization, but he said he didn't know for sure, and that we would keep an eye on it. It almost feels like some sort of cyst. I am glad to know that I am not the only mom who noticed this on her baby.

Teri

[KKR213]

My son had the same thing. It was oozing so I took him to the doctor who said that since he had the BCG at birth that it was unlikely to be from the vaccine. He then did a culture on the ooze and it came back with one cell of tb. We then had to have a second PPD test and a chest x-ray. The doctor got a opinion from an infectious disease expert who wanted to put John on 4 meds for 9 months! I balked and my doctor requested additional tests on the ooze. It just came back on Thursday that the TB cell was from the vaccine. Oh, and the state and local board of health were also notified. I am so glad it is over!!! Wish I knew what it was before going to the doctor!

[MicheleB]

Yep, BCG. Vaccine for TB. I wish more agencies would let people know about the BCG. It is a normal vaccine that is given to all babies who are born in hospitals. I found this out when my two sons came home with one and my daughter did not - she was born at home by a midwife. Those of you who are old enough to have the smallpox scar on your upper arm - it looks similar to that once it heals.

[cortfel]

We just got back from the hospital, after 6 weeks of the red swelling, we had it drained in the hospital. They made a small incesion below the "absess" and then washed, cultured, and drained the spot.

I agree, we were well informed from our agency with sooo much. This was a surprise to us! I just wanted to post to other Guatamama's so they know what could be instore....
Hug, Love, And enjoy your angels!
-cortfel

[mommytoEli]

hey....we noticed that on eli, too, when we visited when he was 2.5 months old! Glad to know what it was! We had NO idea!

[candkss]

I am SO happy this was brought up today...Kya has had the swollen mark on her arm since the first time we saw her at 4 weeks old....3 Dr.'s here have told me its from TB Vaccine she got when she was born...but it has really been bothering me because its so big and was getting red.

Well just today it popped when we got out of the tub and it bleed and puss came out...I was worried and I am still not sure if I should take her to the Dr. over it. I am worried it is infected of something. She is now 7 months old. I can't believe it still looks the way it does at that age. So if anyone knws anymore about it I would love to know...

[PRINCESS1976]

All of this sound like the vaccine . My babies had the same thing and at 7 months it started to ooze. My neighbor is a fostermom and she said this is totally normal -- not infected .

[cortfel]

Hey Everyone,
I pediatrician called me back last night, she told me that only 1% of children should react they way it sounds like ALL of our angels did....Anyway, she thinks it is either because:
1. the vaccination is being mixed with another vaccination and causing a reaction or....
2. the vaccination is either stored wrong, or the amount is not correct...

Either way, she is going to call the health department in Guatemala to inform them of this. So many of our children should NOT have reacted the way that they did. This common theme of the "reddish hard lump on their upper arm" should be UNcommon, yet here, it seems almost like the norm.

Please PM the age of your child and where, if you know, the location they went for their vaccinations. My daughter was taken care of in Guatemala City Hostpital....I think us lucky ones that have our children home should try to help the babies on the way. Please let me know what you think.
Thanks-
Cortfel

[cortfel]

Bumping...