Do you lie when you go to the ER?

[Steve's Wife]

We've never had to take one of our kids to the ER, but we may have to make a trip this weekend. I am getting more and more nervous about my 11 month old daughter. Both my girls are competely non-vaxxed. DH doesn't want to lie, but I am afraid they will subject my baby to way more tests than they otherwise would. She's had a very high fever for 2 1/2 days. Will they do a spinal tap if I say she's not vaccinated?

[Porcelain Interior]

If you lie they may dismiss a potential disease/illness based on your lie.

It isn't against the law not to vaccinate. I wouldn't lie.

[MissRubyandKen]

I wouldn't lie either. You are the parent and if you feel a test is unneccessary you don't have to let them do it. Does she have any other symptoms? How high is the fever?

[Steve's Wife]

Thanks, I guess DH was right. Her fever went up to 104.5 last night, and it's been hovering around 101 today b/c we've been giving her motrin, not to keep the fever down, but because she's miserable.

[kiara7]

Tell them its against your religious beliefs.

[Steve's Wife]

here's the thread I hosted in health and healing about her http://www.mothering.com/discussions...1#post13653285

[tayndrewsmama]

Originally Posted by Porcelain Interior

If you lie they may dismiss a potential disease/illness based on your lie.

It isn't against the law not to vaccinate. I wouldn't lie.

If it's serious enough to go the ER, it's imperative that you tell the truth IMO.

I hope it's easily treatable and that she feels better really soon.

[boscopup]

When I went for my son to have stitches, I said he was uptodate on his shots (he'd had some, but wasn't "caught up" per the CDC schedule). That said, I wasn't worried about tetanus for him (which he'd had 3 of those shots in the first year of life, plus this cut was bleeding massively and was not really a tetanus risk). In this case, his vaccine status wasn't going to affect treatment. It was obvious that the kid needed stitches and that was it.

If I were bringing my child in for something like you describe, I think it'd be better to say that she hasn't been vaccinated, so they don't immediately rule out a vaccine-preventable disease (not that they should with a vaccinated child anyway, but it might be low on their list of possibilities, kwim?).

I also agree with just stating that it's against your religion, as they should stop questioning you at that point. I know someone who went to the ER with a cut and when questioned about the tetanus shot, they said it was against their religion and the subject was completely dropped right away. The ER did not try to force a tetanus shot on the child or anything like that.

[tayndrewsmama]

Originally Posted by boscopup

When I went for my son to have stitches, I said he was uptodate on his shots (he'd had some, but wasn't "caught up" per the CDC schedule). That said, I wasn't worried about tetanus for him (which he'd had 3 of those shots in the first year of life, plus this cut was bleeding massively and was not really a tetanus risk). In this case, his vaccine status wasn't going to affect treatment. It was obvious that the kid needed stitches and that was it.

Now last year I had to bring ds in for stitches too and I still didn't lie. I just told them that I knew he wasn't at risk for tetanus and that knew that too. They strongly suggested it, and then I asked why they weren't wanting to give him the immunoglobulin and they quietly said it was because he wasn't at risk.

I am at the point that I am willing to take a little bullying and banter back and forth with them if there's a chance it might help some other parent who isn't so confident in their decision.

[freestylemama]

Absolutely not. I can't imagine jeopardizing my kiddos' health like that.

[miriam]

Much will depend on the politics of the local CPS and the doctor you encounter in the ER, in other words, it is a gamble.

There was a time when a spinal tap was a routine procedure for any babies born at home and/or not vaccinated and brought into the ER, that is true. Now, it depends on many variables.

[mrsfatty]

No, but I am very assertive and educated...and I don't let them push me around--and I'm not afraid to ask questions--"why?" is my favorite.

[MoonWillow]

I wouldn't lie. I'm sorry that you guys are guys are going through this. It can be so scary when they are sick.

[kay4]

we vaccinated our last dd but not until she was 15 mo. She was in the ER when she was 4 mo and the lady was so rude right from the beginning and let me know she thought i was neglectful because of a rash on her neck (from drool) and then asked about her vax in a very rude way. I didn't lie but i wasn't forthcoming either. I'd already heard her talking bad about me thru the door about her rash (which I was treating!) and I just didn't want any drama) I told her she'd start getting them at 6 and she thought I'd said she hadn't gotten her 6 m shots and she rudely said 'well she's not even 6 mo yet of course she wouldn't have her 6 mo shots" and I just said oh yeah... and left it at that. After what I'd heard her say about me I just didn't want drama and just wanted her to be seen (she had croup which i didn't know anything about, all i knew is that she wasn't breathing well and it scared me to death and here the lady was more concerned about a drool rash than the fact that she wasn't breathing well : ) Anyway....it was 15 months before she got any vaxs

[an_aurora]

No. We have only taken DD to the ER once, when she had a stomach bug and was dehydrated and running a high fever. We just said no and they said ok that that was that. I just had DD at urgent care last week for an ear infection, and her temp was 104.8 and she was very lethargic and hallucinating. The Dr asked if she was up to date and I said, no we don't vaccinate and she hasn't had a shot since 2 months old. The only thing he said was "oh, so no flu shot this year then, right?"

[groovynaturemama]

i did not lie the one time i took dd. they did want to do more tests that i think they would have had she been vaxed. however, i told them i would only consent to one test at a time and we would go from there depending on the results. dd ended up having her blood drawn, and i caught a urine sample for the doc (i would not let them cath her). i also did get into it with the doc about vaccines, but she laid off once i began talking about serotype replacement.

eta- i told them i thought it was an ear infection, and i ended up being right; her blood and urine tests came back normal. the doc did see the infected ear on examinatino, but suggested something more was wrong. nothing more was wrong, though.

[theretohere]

I do not lie. I'm OK with my decisions and try to give the ER staff the most information I can.

[luminesce]

I would definitely not lie. Personally, I've had the fear of an exaggerated ER reaction resulting in a spinal tap for fear of meningitis because our ped politely warned us of the possibility in an unvaccinated infant. I'd not lie because it could risk the life of my child. I'd also not hesitate to go to the ER if I thought it necessary. Meningitis can progress rapidly.

Technically, you could also look at the flip side; if your child is sick enough to go to the ER and is showing signs of bacterial meningitis, NOT being vaccinated (specifically, not having a Hib shot) might make them more alert to meningitis. Hib is not the only cause of meningitis; you could imagine that a case might be missed because a child was vaccinated.

In my opinion, vaccination status should only play a minor role (purely informative) in deciding how to treat a seriously ill child in an ER. I'd like to think that is how it would work but then again, I've had my fair share of disappointments with such hopeful thinking.

[artgoddess]

I wouldn't lie for the reason state above. Hope your little one is feeling better already.

[medusaatemydog]

Don't lie... that is not a good idea... Do not faulter when you go in and talk, it is not illegal not to vaccinate and know your reasons and stand by them... you don't need to get into long conversations... i went to the emergency room once for a small cut and never got hassled..no prob.. i am more concerned about the individual/doctor than i would be about going to the emergency room in general...