We have just seen first hand what it is like when a PKU adult gets ill. Now, you must remember that Owen has complications that many PKU adults do not have (chronic low weight and hypoglycemia). However, you are still dealing with a person whose body does not work the same way ours do. You cannot give them chicken noodle soup. With their limited diets, not feeling well and not wanting to eat because of it can be a bit more risky.

Last Monday, Owen came home complaining of chest congestion and a feeling that his throat was closing up. Over the next three hours his temperature rose to over 101, he had chills and aches and worse congestion. I packed a bag just in case we ended up in the ER. By 4pm the next day (when he was able to get to the Dr.) he had bacterial bronchitis. The doctor did not rule out the flu as the start of it. He prescribed an antibiotic and sent us home. This was  not his usual pcp but he did note Owens other conditions.

We went home and for the next four days it was a battle to keep foods and fluids in, get his temperature down and his cough progressive. It has been over a week and he is still recovering from this. His body had a hard time with this illness. Because a PKU persons body does not work the same way ours do, they may need extra care and extra time to recover. The nurse we worked with during this illness said that just the PKU would make him considrered a "high risk" patient.