Im sorry, but light stomachs please do not read!

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Ladies and Gents!

I do apologize in advance. My son came home today and said that he had taken a drink out of his sports bottle and tasted something odd. Evidently a boy at his high school urinated in my son sports bottle as a sick joke and he did drink a swallow. We are all nurses and I know that I can ask this question to get some real professional feedback on what I should do here. I have looked up on the internet what type of communicable diseases could be spread in urine and the information is a bit vague. I know that the fluid is urine, but I am interested to know what diseases are possible in urine. I know that as a nurse I should be on top of this but for some reason my "parent brain" has taken over the "nurse brain" and I cannot get past the anger I have right now for a teenage student that is THAT mean and to do something that cruel. We all know that HIV/Hepatitis is transmitted via blood but I have never really had to really contemplate what diseases are relevant if a person drinks another person's urine. Thanks for everyones professional advice and if you also have any advice how I should approach the school administration in the AM regarding this issue, I would also appreciate that. Right now I am furious, but I want to take a complete professional approach in the AM on this and I will not stand for this other child just getting a slap on the wrist. I believe that what he has done is completely unacceptable. Thanks in advance for your advice.:stone

bully kids are troubled kids as well... kids behaviors reflects to the parents.

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I'm sorry I disagree with the school not being held with some accountability, I find it difficult to believe that this is the first bad stunt this child has pulled, but the school continues to let this child participate in activities. I think you should go to school and demand some response otherwise the situation continues to perpetuate and another child will suffer from this child's cruel, misguided intentions. I'm very sorry for your child and family and hope you recieve support from your community.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

Have we heard anything back from onconurseRT? I hope I didn't miss it?

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Specializes in Med/Surg ED Resp.
Stomach acid will kill almost anything, and as we know urine is normally sterile. Don't worry about disease, but make a HUGE deal of it at the school, and insist on every test you can think of at the boy's expense.

Urine is is only sterile if it's your own, coming out of your own body, but if it comes in contact with someome else diseases can be transmitted.

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Having been a public school teacher since '90 at the high school and junior high level, I can say without a doubt that you must follow up on this issue. Although you have probably already dealt with it, it is best do document in writing every contact you have with the school over this issue. I would actually use certified mail.

I have personally experienced administrators who failed to follow the law, but when I had nothing in writing I had no recourse. I actually had a student pass out in my class from taking prescription drugs (not his own) during lunch. I pushed the panic button, the admin's arrived and took him to their office and called mommy - a principal in the district. Nothing ever happened. When I followed up, (he should have been suspended and he didn't even receive detention) they denied what the child had done. The students who knew what the child had done were too scared to speak up...and so nothing ever happened. I had parents call me about it, but they wouldn't go to the admin or police...too scared of repercussions for their children's education. What has our public school system come to?

(Not every school is like this, but a large number are. The morals/ethics of the admin is what will dictate.)

The other thing is that too many do not report the smaller issues and thus prevent intervention before a child would escalate to such a nasty stunt.

I just had to go through lodging a complaint about a sexual harrasment issue that my son suffered from, 8th grade. But, I put it in writing via email to all 3 admins, the super, myself, plus a member of the local teacher's organization, and then I took a letter to the school and made her sign it before I left acknowledging that she had received my letter. It only took 2 hours to be called back and informed the situation had been dealt with although due to FERPA (privacy laws) they couldn't tell me what. My 2 boys learned, kid got 1 week ISS. My boy got labeled a squealer, but he's ok with it...others have thanked him. They too had received the harrasment and never said anything. Now it is also part of the kids school record. Hopefully the kid learned his lesson.

I would also file with the police, probably nothing will happen, but the name will be there in case something comes along in the future with someone else. Then there will be reason for the police to be involved.

So, keep up the good work, follow your instincts.

As far as urine being sterile, our microbiology teacher just went over this...it is sterile in the bladder...once it has passed through the urethra etc it is a whole 'nother game.

Now, off to study human physiology...I am trying to get into nursing school...2 degrees (computer science and secondary math ed) but I don't have the pref points here in OK...very strange system. I'm on the alternate list for OUHSC accelerated program.

Good luck!

Newfowner

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I'm a mother of a 2 year old and right now I'm trying to put myself in your situation; I would be furious as well! but I wouldn't go as far as some of the other parents such as calling the authorities, but first thing I would do is bring it to the principles attention and request some type of mediation with the student and his parents, so that this does not happen again. Also inform them of the consequences and diseases that can be transmitted through urine. Absolutely disgusting !

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I Am Sorry For You Son,but I Have Read That Drining Urine Is Acceptable In Some Cultures.gross! I Have Heard Of Two Professional Dancers That Would Drink Each Other Urine Daily.hopefully This Will Not Hurt Your Son And That Kid Who Did It Should Be Punished Julie In Indiana

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well, isn't this something!!!!!!!!!

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[color=#ffa500]as fas as what diseases he may have been subjected to, i would think that the stomach acid would pretty quickly kill pretty much anything that may have been in there. give the pediatrician a call.

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[color=#ffa500]as far as what to do??? the first thing i'd do is talk to my kid. what's the deal with this other kid? is this his typical behavior? is he always in trouble? does he do stuff like this a lot? is he a nice kid or an idiot? is he your son's buddy? is there rivalry between them? have there been other incidents with other kids?

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[color=#ffa500]we are talking about high school kids here, right? yes, they should have more common sense, but sometimes they don't. realistically, high school boys can be gross. they can be incredibly stupid, no matter how "book smart" they are. sometimes, common sense isn't so common among high schoolers. i think before i crucified this kid, i'd get the story on him and see what's what.

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[color=#ffa500]as far as the school...well, why would you go in there with guns blazing, unless you have had many bad experiences with how administration has handled things in the past? obviously, if that has been the case, then do what you feel you have to do. but i would say that i would calmly contact the principal, make an appointment, discuss the situation and give them the chance to do something before you start calling lawyers etc. i mean, i know i hate it when a patient starts off with the statement "i am prepared to sue you and this hospital if anything happens" when they have just been admitted and we have just met.

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[color=#ffa500]of course, if this is habitual behavior with this kid and the school has a history of not responding, then i'd go in there much more strongly. i don't know though...if the kid just did something stupid i'd probably make sure he understood how stupid he was, but i don't think i'd have hima rrested etc. if he's essentially a good kid. if bad behavior is habitual with thekid, then i think i'd insist he get help as part of my discussions with the school.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

This is sick!!! I would definately be mad if i were in your shoes, and i woudl have DEFINATELY spoken to the boys parents. there is no reason for this. i really empathise with you and your boy

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I have had friends accidently sip on bottles of urine when camping in the desert - (where there is no where else to pee EXCEPT in a gatorade bottle inside your tent!) YES I do lots of extreme camping.

anyway - they have had always no adverse effects - besides being a bit grossed out !

urine is sterile & mostly water - and most viruses are way too delicate & small to survive passage of the urinary tract, a plastic bottle & through the mouth & GI system.

I would be a bit angry at the boy - but chalk it up to a stupid teenage joke & move on. My guy friends & brothers did *way* worse practical jokes in high school & college and if this is ALL you have to worry about you are blessed.

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geezzz thats a very bad joke... i know its hard for you to hold your emotions but as nurses you have to be patient.. i think the best thing for you to do is have your kid check together with those rude classmates. i think hepa can be transmitted through bodilyfluids including urine..

anyway take care... always remember that nurses can handle pressure very well.

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Specializes in Geriatric/LTC, Rehab, Home Hhealth.

What a horrible thing to do to someone! Could you have the contaminated water tested?

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