In the beginning of December my 11 year old came down with a cold. It seemed like a normal cold, came and went. She ran in early december and did fine, but was back to feeling sick early the next week. We all got sick in the second week of December, typical cold stuff, general malaise more than head cold. BY the third week she had developed a deep hacking cough, non productive that was really wearing her out. We saw the doc who gave her an antibiotic. She thought it was likely viral but that maybe DD had gotten something on top of it. (I am not a huge antibiotic fan) but the symptoms improved pretty well for four days and then got worse again.
Talked to the doc on xmas eve who said keep going with what we're doing if she runs a fever go to ER. By the 26th she was running a fever. We went into docs office and they ordered tests. She had a chest xray negative for pneumonia. She had blood work done, no mono, she's anemic but otherwise everything is normal. But, she's dehydrated and losing weight. (She's super tiny for her age so she can't afford to lose weight) She has no vomiting or diarrhea, just low appetite and sore throat and headaches.
She feels OK some of the time and then runs low grade fevers. She's still coughing though not as much. It's just been a long time now.... Does anyone have any guesses?
Thanks Gang!
She was tested for strep and it was negative. It is probably the endless cold thing. I love green goodness, but the kids won't drink it! But they do love some of the others so I let them have all of the mango madness they want. LOL!
Got her to eat 1/2 of a burger and some egg nog (protein) for lunch she is supposed to have a play date tomorrow but I told the mom I am not sure if she's up to it. She is missing out on a sisters sleep over friday. Poor baby.
Thanks guys.
Did they test her for strep? My 5y had a runny nose (like a facet!) and a dry cough that wouldn't stop that tested positive for strep. 2 months in a row. low appetite, headache and sore throat, while they could be related to many things, ARE all symptoms of strep.
Keep her hydrated with water. Water works well in keeping the cough at bay.
Has she had a blood test to check her white and red blood count levels?
Unfortunately, this is the same thing that everyone else we know is dealing with. We've had it a little differently- son and I had bad cough for 2 days, almost croup-like; husband then got sinus infection; then son got ear and double sinus infection with a horrible exhausting cough; then I got double ear infection, double sinus infection and a cough so bad I pulled muscles in my back. We are never sick, so we hate to complain, but its been a rough month! Good luck!
Just saw your what happened and had a thought I had about our own similar but not as long situation. My daughter has a cough, sniffles and had a fever/sore throat on Christmas Day. No surprise as it has been going around her school but I've noticed it's something that lingers. This morning I thought we need to get rid of anything and be careful with anything that could cause respitory problems even if they don't normally for us. I'm going to get the tree out of the house. Be careful about milk products, especially before nap/rest or bed because of the mucous thing. I think some of the sicknesses that are going around are very tenacious. Glad you are on top of it though and getting testing done so you can nip any bacterial infection in the bud. For now, lots of liquids and rest. All the Best!
She could have easily been exposed to different colds/viruses this time of year. Once you get one thing your immune drops and then other germs have an easier time attacking the body.
Have her eat lots of fruits, veggies and chicken soup or broth, drink lots of fluids and get rest. You can try some supplements like Emergen-C or Airborne, they will give her immune a boost. My daughter likes a smoothie drink from Bolthouse Farms that is called Green Goodness, it has lots of vitamins and stuff in it and is in the produce section.
Sorry she is going through that. I would go back to your Dr for advice as it's continuing. It could just be that she's catching one thing after the other. Could be sinus or allergy related.... best to work w/ your Dr on that one. Other than that, I'd just push the liquids and get her to keep eating to help build her resistance. I hope she feels better soon : )
Mine has had something ongoing since before THANKSGIVING! Started with a croupy cough, then progressed to a stuffy nose and deep cough. I took him into the doc's office and they said sinus infection and prescribed antibiotics. He seemed to get a little better, but has been back downhill since just before Christmas. No fever, but a chronic cough and stuffy nose. He has a wellness visit next week, so I'm trying to hold off taking him back in until then.
I bought a vaporizer for his room the other day and that seems to be helping a bit a night, especially when I add an inhalant.
Best of luck - whatever is running around, it seems to be lingering.
I have allergies and never lost weight with that, wish I had, but I would be concerned about that more than anything with a child. I would get her to a different doctor for second opinion if she is not well soon. An antibiotic should have helped if it is bacterial. Maybe she needed a second round of it though. The cough could be from the lungs or throat area either one so that is something to keep an eye on and have her drink lots of water like suggested, not too much but more than usual maybe. If she was my child I would get her back to the doctor soon for more thorough tests and a second opinion.
We have all had a cold that hung around for a month. Some days we felt ok other than the dry, barky cough. Other days we would feel like we were hit with a truck.
Many people I have talked to that have gotten this cold said the same thing, it took 4-6 week to fully be gone.
I hope she feels better soon!
Since you've already been to the doc a lot, it's probably not this...but my daughter used to get a lot of sinus infections (with symptoms similar to those you're describing). It was always worse in December when we brought a live tree in for Christmas. We eventually discovered she has a mold allergy....and she has since started allergy shots and had no problems this ear...
