Update from Stryder’s geneticist. He really helps me understand things. He still wants some tests done but he gave a good explanation on why a 24 hour bug has hit him for almost a week now. There is no telling how long he will be sick, but as long as we keep doing what we are doing, he will get better. Needless to say, Thanksgiving may have to be spent at home alone, but we are okay with that.
This was his response that helped me understand and relax a little:
We know that cytokine response plays a role in fighting off an infection by microbial organisms and in Stryder, this part of his immunity is abnormal. It is known that rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children. When it comes to fighting off an a viral infection, IFN-gamma is important in eliminating virus particles by activating antiviral pathways. In Stryder, this cytokine, IFN-gamma does not respond when stimulated to do so and is conceivable that Stryder has a hard time fighting off the rotavirus that is causing his gastroenteritis. The underlying cause of his immune probablem may be a component of the his overall issues that we will become clearer as we go forward.