Rant on pinworms (an admittedly gross topic)

[sareva]

I'll try not to make this too long or graphic. I'm just really upset. I'm a nanny to 3 kids, due with my first at the end of March, and I've got pinworms. The family claims that they didn't give them to me. I think that they are probably right that none of the kids have pinworms, but I wouldn't say that they didn't give them to me. The kids (2.5, 9, and 12) don't seem to have any symptoms, although the parents only checked the toddler once in the middle of the night and won't do the "scotch-tape" test to check for eggs (When I checked toddler poops, I didn't see live worms, but I have seen an awful lot of little worm-like threads that weren't moving -- then again, the parents feed him so much crap that his bowels are always a little upset and poops are weird-looking (you know, cookies for breakfast, that sort of thing)). Most likely, the kids or one their friends were exposed and passed it onto me, and they were fortunate enough not get infected themselves. Such is life, and having worked in public health for several years, I have a lot of respect for all these bugs, viruses, etc. that manage to survive generation after generation. We were housesitting for my husband's dissertation chair -- fortunately, only 1 day left -- so we cleaned the heck out of everything, and I let my husband finish up his duties there alone. Now, instead of resting, I'm trying to get the energy to clean out my house and wash every bit of potentially exposed clothing/linen in warm/hot water. The length between exposure and symptoms is 3-4 weeks, and the eggs are contagious for 1-2 weeks, so I've made courtesy calls to folks that I had contact with during the last month (contact like diaper changes or feeding). Having worked in health care settings, I already wash my hands all the time, so that's not an issue. I guess what upsets me is: 1. I now have to take a Class C drug while I'm pregnant to get rid of these things, which is not ideal. My Univ. of Michigan midwife consulted with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and the risks seem to be pretty low, but they do exist; and 2. The idea that someone knew that they or their kid were infected and didn't tell me b/c they were embarrassed or in denial or something just drives me apes***. I'm hoping the whole thing was innocent and accidental, but when I told my mom about it, she mentioned that when she was on the board of my preschool, they regularly had to deal with parents who didn't properly take care of pinworms/lice/strep infections and didn't inform the school. And my mom said that when she made courtesy calls to other parents when we got stuff like that, people treated her really badly (and let me tell you, that woman is a clean freak). Seems like sort of a vicious cycle -- you don't tell people b/c they treat you badly, but then you infect others, and those people don't say anything, but then they infect others. My husband and I are clean, well-educated people, so if we can get this, anyone can. There shouldn't be any stigma. Yet, I'm really pissed off b/c somebody gave this to me, and I don't know who, and now I have to take a drug that could potentially hurt me or my baby. I hope you folks aren't too grossed out. I guess that, as a former public health type, I just want to encourage full disclosure among all parents, b/c when a pregnant woman gets something like pinworms or strep, it *is* a problem. If I chose to be "in denial," I could infect not only my newborn, but the entire hospital staff who will be assisting me with my labor. Not cool. Somewhere down the line, somebody failed to make a courtesy call. A call might not prevent the next person in the cycle from getting infected (you can be contagious before you have symptoms or notice that your child has symptoms), but dammit, it's polite, it's the right thing to do, and it might prevent a 2nd or 3rd person down the line from getting an infection. Someone like me! Sorry, I've ranted too long. Thanks for reading. Sarah EDD 3-24-04

[momathome]

Yikes, Sarah, that does not sound like fun! I am very sorry to hear about what you are going through. I agree, parents should act responsibly and inform others when their children have highly contagious illnesses. I will cross my fingers for you that the treatment does not have any adverse side effects for you or your baby. Take care of yourself!
-Lauren

[momofboys]

I too had pinworms when I was pregnant. I did NOT take vermox (mebendazole). My OB and I were not comfortable with me taking a potentially damaging drug unnecessarily. Pinworms are gross & annoying, but otherwise you CAN live with them for a while. I was able to get rid of them by ingesting ALOT of fresh garlic & garlic supplements. It as also suggested that I use a garlic clove as a suppository, but I was too grossed out to do that. You might ask your ob about the garlic and/or someone at your local health food store. I also took lots of acidophilus to strengthen the "good for me bugs" in my gut. I am normally not a vitamins/health nut kind of person. I had no choice this time because I would not take the meds. I was glad that the garlic helped! To protect yourslef when you are watching other peoples children, keep your nails VERY short, be neurotic about handwashing & maybe wear a mask when diapering, toileting, dressing the children and making their beds (to keep from ingesting any eggs that might be around). gOOD LUCK!

[ethansmom]

So sorry you have to go through this!

I thought you might be from Ann Arbor! I PM'd you.

[sareva]

Sorry to get back here so late. I posted here and in the diaper section and then promptly took a bad fall in the snow and went into preterm labor at 33 W 3d. I had not taken the Vermox yet, but once I went into the high risk OB ward, I felt I really couldn't wait. As soon as I was allowed to take food and water (about 30 hours, so on Sunday), I took a pill. I'm not happy about it, but I really felt that I should. I told everyone I came into contact with that I had pinworms, but those eggs can really stick around, and I don't want to be responsible for infecting housekeeping staff, new moms, etc. All of the maternal-fetal med folks that we consulted with said that it should be fine, but, yes, I remain concerned. I'm out of the hospital now b/c I'm stabilized, but I could have this baby anytime between tomorrow and her due date. I had started taking the acidophilus (OK, I know I'm misspelling that) with the exact same idea -- build up the good stuff in the gut. I hadn't heard of taking garlic, so if my body can handle it (DH and I *love* garlic, but I'm still contracting every 10+ minutes and things are a little "off."), I'll do it. I'm supposed to take another dose of Vermox in 2 weeks, so if I can avoid that, it would be worth it. Anyway, thanks for your feedback. I thought that everyone would be too grossed out to write anything, so I appreciate it. Sarah orig. EDD 3-24-04; rev. EDD ???

[toomanystrollers]

Gosh Sarah,
Fingers & toes crossed for you :) I'm so sorry to hear about the tough time you're going through.

Keep us updated,

[trumansmom]

Yikes! Sending "slow baby" thoughts your way!!

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/29/01 and EDD 4/23/04!

[JElaineB]

Sarah, sorry you are having a rough time! Sending "stay in there baby" vibes to you.... You seem like a very caring person to be so concerned about everyone else's health! Just focus on you for now! Just try to relax and take it easy for the next few weeks - I hope that is possible for you!

Jennifer
mom to Jacob 9/27/02

[starrynight]

I'm sorry your going through this! I hope you are feeling better soon and I wish you a safe and easy labor and a healthy and not too early baby!

[papal]

Sarah! I will be thinking of you and hoping baby decides to stay inside for a while longer. Just relax. Try some meditation (concentrate on your breathing and let everything else go out of focus).

take care!

Rashmi
(mom to Leela, born 10.17.03)

[sntm]

good luck -- sending you March-baby vibes.

shannon
not-even-pregnant-yet-overachiever
trying-to-conceive :)
PREGNANT! EDD 6/9/03
mama to Jack 6/6/03

[sarahfran]

Sarah,
Just thought I'd tell you that your little-one-to-be is very lucky to have you as a mom. As others have said, your concern for everyone else's health is clear indication of your sensitive nature.

Breathe deeply, relax, find some way to have a mini-vacation... foot massage, special chocolate ice cream, vegging out watching your favorite movie...

Take care. I too am sending "stay in there" vibes to your bellyfull.

-Sarah
Mom to Dylan, 8/18/03

Motherhood is such a joy!

[jesseandgrace]

Good luck to you and your baby, I hope you both can hang in there for a few more weeks! I don't know if this helps you, but I was born 5 weeks early (and that was 34 years ago when the care was not as good). I was a little small, but I had no problems at all and didn't even stay in the hospital longer than full term babies.