First thing this morning, Leo and I headed round the corner to the kinderarzt. I'm impressed with the care we as parents and Leo gets in the German health system. Up until they are five years old, all children in Germany must attend scheduled examinations with their doctor. Each examination is an opportunity to identify potential health problems or abnormalities in the development process as early as possible. There are nine examinations ("Untersuchungen" or simple "U" for short). Today is Leo's U5.
First his height, weight and head circumference is measured. He's a big guy with an especially big head, but he's just within the normal ranges so nothing to worry about. Next was an examination with the doctor. He checked various things physical things like his heart and lungs. He tests his motor development and he discusses my relationship with him as a parent. Signed off with a clean bill of health we proceed to a vaccination. He's had all the basic ones he's recommended with no complications. However todays is for meningococcal, something he needs because we'll be visiting the U.K. often, and this one is almost certainly going to cause him some issues.
The doctor tells me that he is likely to get a fever, sometime in the the next 48 hours. Possibly within the first three hours after the injection. We have aspirin suppositories for him if this happens (I've not worked out why its always suppositories in Germany yet). If the symptoms persist (or his hands swell up!!) I should come back to the doctors.
The injection itself is done in his upper thigh and I'm told will cause a swelling that feels like a marble under his skin which will slowly shrink over the coming two months. Its obviously not pleasant for Leo as his face immediately turns purple and he yells. I guess its more of a shock than anything because as soon as I was able to pick him up and comfort him he relaxed back to normal.
I left the doctors wondering when the fever would kick in. For now all the side effects are a slight drowsiness. I headed for a cafe, with Leo asleep in the chair I was able to have leisurely breakfast in the sun. He woke once we got home and we played around a while. After lunch he fell into a really deep sleep for a couple of hours. No fever, still just drowsiness.
Nina and Lena came over for a cup of tea. Once Leo woke up we headed to the kindercafe for an hour. Still no fever.
After dinner, a bath and book Leo went to bed happily, still suffering no ill effects of the vaccination. Fingers crossed this super kid handles this like he handles everything else. With almost no fuss.