My 4 yr. old son is on antibiotics once a month for bronchitis and once in a while mild pneumonia. He's been allergy tested and asthma tested but nothing showed up. He is a twin and was a preemie. He didn't have problems until he had severe pneumonia at 2 1/2 yrs. old. I'm considering consulting a pulmonary specialist to see if there is some other lung condition going on. Anyone with a constantly
sick preschooler to set my mind at ease?
Definitely see a pediatric pulmonologist. My guess is asthma. Having
worked with a ped. pulmon., I have seen pediatricians say no asthma to
only have ped. pulmon. say it was. Then treated properly and much better.
Definitely worth going to the specialist. Good luck.
It is very likely that your son has a systemic yeast infection that is presenting in this manner. Yeast can grow in the lungs, and anti-biotics will make the problem worse, not better. Most western medicine doctors don't typically consider this, so you might need to see an alternative practitioner (chiropractor, naturopath, etc), but I'd bet money that that is what is going on based on what you've said.
I can help teach you how to treat it if you are open to it my suggestion.
Good luck!
J.
We FINALLY found out that my daughter has vasomotor rhinitus. She has been way to frequently sick from sinus infections, mild pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. In her case, her nasal septum was S curved so it blocked natural drainage from the upper sinuses. She has a clear drip that comes from various triggers. (I have a few of those triggers) Many of them aren't noticeable or appear until you become an adult. My nose may drip when I start to eat -- or when I'm very active -- or eat spicy food -- or get cold. Others may drip from dry or too humid air. She sneezes when she looks at the sun. Interesting stuff. So, that's one thing to check out. I'm wondering if your allergist is an immunologist too? I'd also ask if they can help you. Your pediatrician can't give you more info on premie and lung function and recommend th best type of specialist?
Maybe... just weaker lungs, due to being a Preemie.
ALSO... Pneumonia.. can really make the lungs weak.... and it can last.
My Mom had that.... she is elderly... didn't go to the Doctor quick enough... and now has scarring on her lungs, for example. It does not go away. Her lungs... are now just inherently weak. And she gets Bronchitis too. But she also has Asthma... exacerbated when sick.
Some lung problems... illnesses... just can really weaken the overall 'strength' of the lungs.
I would really, yes, see a Specialist.
For me, I have Asthma. BUT... whenever anyone around me is sick, even with a cold.... I get 'scared'... because if/when I get sick... due to my Asthma.... I get sick TONS worse... than others... and I have had bad Bronchitis too, which turned into borderline Pneumonia. It takes a LONG time... for it to go away and to COMPLETELY go away. The lungs meanwhile, is still recovering....
I got my bad Bronchitis and ensuing Pneumonia... from a dripping post-nasal drip. Head colds/sinus drainage... can, also affect/infect the lungs... so KEEP this in mind....
all the best,
Susan
My 2 1/2 yo was diagnosed with pneumonia approximately 4 times last year before the dr. discovered the root cause was asthma brought on by a runny nose/cough. We developed an aggressive game plan with our pediatrician (consisting of claritin, benedryl and inhalers) for when he's getting a runny nose and have been able to stop any further progression to pneumonia twice in the last two months.
I wish you luck! Seeing a specialist sounds like it'd make a lot of sense. Hang in there!
Has he been evaluated for reflux? Often times, kids will reflux and aspirate and that causes a cough leading to bronchitis and pneumonia. Ask your pedi about it....
I too had this problem for several years & finally was told that my lungs were getting pretty scarred. Turns out the culprit was crypto tonsilitis. I never got a sore throat! what I did get was food particles getting impacted into my tonsils & getting infected and that turned into bronchitis which would become pneumonia. got tonsils removed and I haven't had bronchitis or pneumonia since and that was about 10 years ago!
I don't think I have an answer, just encouragement to yes, go see the specialist. I got bronchitis as a young adult when I moved to a very dry cold snowy city in January from a humid climate (MD) and then when I moved on to San Diego in May, phew, I had problems!! I got sinus problems for the first time and ever since then when I get a cold, it then goes to my lungs (not 100% pf the time, but much oftener than I'd like!).
I truly believe that once you've had bronchitis, it sets the stage for other respiratory problems ie, pneumonia, sinusitis, maybe even allergies, and so on.
2 years ago at this time of the year I was dx'ed with bronchitis/walking pneumonia because I'd gotten sick right at the end of the semester with the stress of creating, giving, and grading final exams to a roomful of college students and of course Christmas preparations and all that at that time of the year. Anyway that went to my lung and I did have an x-ray to show that it cleared up, but I STILL feel a pain in the back bottom of my lung whenever I take a deep breath. I hate it. It does seem to ever so slowly be getting better but I still hate it.
Does your son have allergies? Sinus or post-nasal drip? Those might be contributing.
