As men, we are notoriously childish when we become sick. I will admit that I am not immune to this behavior. The last time I got the flu – I buried myself in bed, imagined that I was dying, and repeatedly asked GWE for some soup…..and the decency to wait a respectful amount of time before marrying someone else after I was gone.

Last week, it was Garrett’s turn. Out of nowhere, he spiked a fever on Thursday evening. He was miserable for the next 24 hours. We thought it was a cold or maybe “extreme” teething. Whatever it was, he was not himself. He cried and cried and cried and cried. Like any good dad, on Friday morning I kissed my wife on the cheek and ran out of the house as fast as possible – leaving GWE to tend to our ailing son. It was her problem now!

Over the next few days, his fever came and went. After it finally subsided, Garrett broke out in a rash of red welts. The rash was most noticeable on his face, chest, arms, legs, and butt. After consulting a pediatrician, Web MD, and a “Your Baby’s First Year” book, we realized he had Roseola.

Roseola is a viral disease caused by human herpesvirus 6 and it affects children under two. The symptoms are puffy eyes, sore throat, runny nose, irritability, etc. And, there is no known treatment. It just goes away on its own.

This morning on my way into work, Garrett Morris called me to discuss some updates on projects we were working on. (If you don’t know yet, my son was named after Garrett Morris.) Garrett casually asked how the family was and I proceeded to explain that “Little Garrett” was home sick with Roseola. Garrett paused and asked, “Is that a new name for something I’d recognize?”

“Yes. It’s like Baby Measles.” I replied. And then I gave Garrett more information than he asked for. “Actually, it’s caused by Herpes. He probably got it from one of his friends at daycare.”

At that moment, Garrett Morris erupted into laughter. When he finally composed himself, he said, “You tell those little bitches in daycare to stay away from Little Garrett!!!”

He’s Feeling Much Better Now