3 Year Old with High Feaver and Non Stop Coughing

What an agonizing situation for both of you. As a person with life-long lung problems, I find that house dust really aggravates my wheezing and coughing, especially when I'm fighting off a cold or flu bug. I have to periodically wash all my blankets and take my sofa pillows and cushions outside and beat the @#!% out of them. It's amazing how much dust will rise when I do this (I wear a dust mask during this process, and put on clean clothes after). So if there is any chance of dust lurking where you haven't thought of it before, go after it.

The viruses circulating this year have been unusually hard on lots of people, including some who don't usually develop lung problems. I caught both flu bugs this winter and had to increase my inhaled steroids for several weeks. This medication does reduce reactivity to irritants from all sorts of sources and I was exceedingly grateful I had them. Steroids administered for an acute illness, under a good doctor's supervision, probably won't be needed for very long. Long term use of large doses can have undesirable side effects, but it is potentially very helpful in the short term (or at the relatively small doses in my inhaler).

If you are not confident in your doctor's judgement, you might do well to take your daughter for a second opinion. I wish you all well.

Last year, my son had a non-stop cough. The doctor eventually diagnosed him with symptom induced asthma and gave us Advair to try. It made a difference last year. This year, same time of year even, he caught a cold and the cough came back. After a couple of weeks of listening to it, I took him to the doc and she put him back on the advair inhaler. After a few more weeks of very regular coughing, worse at night and the morning and during/after crying, took him back to the doctor. His regular ped was not in and the other doc put him on 3 days of prednisone. No change so back to the doctor after 6 weeks of hacking away and she put him on a larger dose of the advair inhaler. Within 48 hours, he could sleep thru the night without coughing and now, almost two weeks later, he is only coughing hard when he goes into a crying mode and works himself into it. I have 3 more days of the Advair and then we will see how it goes without. My ped suggested that he has allergies this time of year as well and suggessted that we bathe him after coming indoors and not keeping dirty clothes in his bedroom. Not sure which is working, but I am THANKFUL to have an end to his misery. (and mine) ;) By the way, last year, he got pneumonia as well, same time of year. was talking to a fellow mom on the soccer field and her daughter had the same symptoms and suggested the Advair inhaler, after we had it for only 1 day. Worked for us, good luck, I know how frustrating it can be to see your lil guy suffer.

Hi C.,

What a loving momma you must be. I applaud your dedication and patience during sickness as well as after!

I have said this before in many posts to mommas. :) I will however mention it again. Your daughter could have parastite overgrowth. In fact, she most likely does because most of America does. We went to a naturopath and finally began to get healthy! I take and my family takes a natural product called 3 LAC. You can google it or find it at www.globalhealthtrax.org

The issues you are mentioning are frustrating to deal with. I empathize with that, as my husband was the same way until everything was addressed. Just remember we were not born into disease or illness, our bodies find it along the way. God gives us wisdom and authority to destroy it and rid our bodies. :)

Blessings,

K.S.

Augmentin does not contain a steroid. I've taken steroids and this didn't sound like any I'd heard of and so I looked it up on the Internet. It contains 2 different kinds of antibiotics. No steroids.

Perhaps the doctor brought up the possibility of using a steroid if she continued to have frequent infections and you got that confused with Augmentin. It is good that you not want to give a steroid to your baby. However, when my immune system isn't working and I'm ill off and on for a few months my doctor prescribes a corticosteroid (I can't remember the name) to give my immune system a boost. Steroids can be dangerous if taken long term or at too high a dose. I know that short low doses help me to regain my health. I don't know if they're appropriate for babies.

There are natural treatments that someone will tell you about. I've never tried them but have heard good results from taking them.

I am a believer in antibacterial drugs when used appropriately. The fever indicates that she has an infection. It's the bacteria irritating her lungs. Bacteria has become immune to many anti-bacterials because they have not been appropriately used. In your baby's case giving Augmentin seems appropriate to me. Once someone's immune system is not working it is difficult to get back on a healthy track.

It's so hard when our little ones are so sick. I too have to second that Augmentin does NOT contain steriods, my son has been on it, and so have I. It's just a bit stronger of an antibiotic to help your daughter fight off whatever bug she has. If you are frustrated with the treatment she has recieved, find a different pediatrician. You are your daughters voice right now she can't ask for a different doctor you have to speak up for her. I personally think the meds she's on seem like the right thing to me. Keep taking her and to doctors until you are satisified with one. There's nothing wrong with that.
W.