My 13 mo old went to the dr yesterday and we were told he has a common cold and to come back if he gets worse or if he starts running a fever. He has no fever and he is coughing but it is productive. I wanted to know if it would hurt to give him a nebulizer treatment. We have a nebulizer from when he had pneumonia when he was younger and didn't know if it would help at all or any other suggestions. Thanks!
Thanks everyone for your input! We actually ended up taking him back to the Dr. a couple of days later because he started running a temp. He got an antibiotic to knock the infection out and is feeling much better. We did give him a couple of nebulizer treatments and they helped a lot at night. We will definitely be trying some of your suggestions if he becomes sick in the future. Thanks again!
I would try a regular humidifier first. This helps my daughter immensely when she has a cold. I keep it running when she naps and all through the night.
If this isn't helping then maybe try asking her doctor.
With both my kids, if the cough is productive but at times may sound worse, like the early morning or evenings, I give a treatment with the Albuterol. It usually opens them up and helps keep things moving along. I checked with my Pedi and they said it was fine at times like this.
I wouldn't do it without asking the dr first. There is medicine in there that may or may not be right for his cold right now...and the medicind could be expired. I'd check first.
I wouldn't. If he starts wheezing, then ask your doctor. Otherwise you are giving him a medicine that probably won't help.
I personally would not. If the cough is productive, then let his body run it's course.
Most medications can cause more harm if they are not needed for the current situation. You could aggravate him more, basically. This could lead to asthma later in life, too. Just because you have it, doesn't mean you should ALWAYS use it, or that it is a good thing.
The only safe things that I resort to with my son are alternative, but I am a CMT/Reflexologist and I have studied many healing arts for years.
I'd say keep a vaporizer going, keep him elevated so he drains and keep the fluids up. Make sure he gets his rest. That will help him more.
Hi K. - I can completely understand your desire to help your son feel better. If he's had pneumonia, it most likely is harder for him when he has a chest cold.
I encourage you however not to medicate him without your doctor's approval, especially with albuterol. If you think your son would benefit from a neb, call your doc. The doc may not realize your son's breathing is that affected by the cold and may want follow him more closely.
I hope he feels better soon!!
yes, give it. is it albuterol? it's a cough medicine but this one goes directly in his lungs compared to the syrup one. i got the nebulizer when mine were 4 months old. they're 5 now, and i was always told by the pediatrician use it when they have a cough. i do and it helps
good luck
Albuterol is NOT a cough medicine. It is a bronchial dialator. This means that it helps the airways open up, good for serious conditions like pneumonia and croup but not for a cold. Albuterol can have a VERY DANGEROUS side effect if too much is used (I have asthma and have been warned about this with my albuterol inhaler). After a couple of doses, if more are taken close together, it can actually RESTRICT (close up) airways!!!!
For a cough from a cold, I would use a humidifier in his room when it seems to be worse (like at night). Give him plenty of fluids and let the virus run it's course. If you really feel the need to use the nebulizer, use plain saline. But a productive cough is a GOOD sign - his body is clearing the junk out of his throat and airways.
i love the nebulizer. I only use it maybe 4-6 times a year, thats it.....if my kids start getting sick we use it a few times & thats it.....i have only used it twice this winter season on 1 kid....my ped says its a great idea so check with yours
I would not give him the nebulizer. His body is doing what it's supposed to do. If the circumstances were different, then maybe. But when your body is working like it should, I wouldn't do anything to mess with that.
I would ask the doctor. Usually they will say it's okay. The medicine dialates the broncial tubes and allows the mucus to be coughed up easier. It not only helps the mucus to get out but it helps the mucus stay runny because some of the liquid in the vials is sterile water, and sometimes it just helps the congestion to not turn into pneumonia. I recommend you ask the doctor for Xophenex though. It doesn't have the side effects like Albuterol. It doesn't make them shake and their little hearts don't pound so much.
The only time I ever give my son a breathing treatment is if he's wheezing or if his cough is high pitched barky one, like a croope cough
One thing you might consider doing is a 'normal saline' neb...(they used to come in little pink 'bullets') That may help to loosen secrections...and since it is 'normal' saline...none of the side effects of albuterol (or whatever the med is you have on hand)
Just a thought!
Take care
michele/cat
I was always told that if it's not pneumonia or asthma that the breathing treatments could actually make the cough worse verses better. I'm not sure if this helps or not, but just passing on what our pedi. told us! Good luck!
