My 4 year old has had a cough of many forms for over a month. A week ago my Dr. thought it might be a sinus thing and put her on omnicef, then 5 days ago she started running a fever and her lungs sounded "junky" so we switched her to Zithromax. The problem is, she doesn't seem to be getting better. Her fever is gone as of Monday and her activity level is good, but her cough is still there and yesterday I could hear a funny sound when she breathed. Not a high pitched whistle, but more like a small honk/grunt deep in her chest. I thought for sure it was weezing so,we headed back to the Dr. The Dr. said that she didn't really hear weezing, but did hear rattling. Dr. did a chest x-ray and determined that it was not pnemonia and sent us home. But, I can't stop worrying about it. I spent my whole night listening to her breathe worrying that she might start weezing. I still hear the funny sound and also hear lots of crackling noises. I am more confused than ever. The breathing sounds I'm hearing can't be normal, right? I'm wondering if anyone else has expereinced this and if I should just trust that the antibiotics are working and try to not worry about it? Or should I get a second opinion?
Thanks so much for all of your input and advice. One week later and everything is fine. I never got a second opinion and tried to just trust our doctor. I think the "honk/squeek" sounds I was hearing weren't in her lungs but higher up. Anyway.... my husband (who is not a worrier) kept reminding me that her energy was good and she didn't have a fever, so she was not in any dire distress. He was right, and after a few days, her breathing sounded completelly normal again. She is no longer coughing and seems to be over whatever "bug" she had. Thanks again for all the help and support!
I think I would get a second opinion it sure couldn't hurt. You are the Mom so you know her better than anyone. It could be asthma that crackling noise is what my granddaughter has when she has an attack it's a rattle crackle. Hope she feels better soon.
Nope your mom instincts are obviously telling you something isn't right - get that 2nd opinion and if it turns out to be nothing, then you know for sure...and won't regret it later if something is wrong and you didn't find out sooner.
It could be RSV. My son has it right now and it's running rampant all over the place, so it's likely it could be that or Croup. Now in a 4 y/o they don't usually exhibit those signs, both RSV and croup are much more serious in littler people. For the older kids it's usually more of just a light cough or cold symptoms, but they could have that wheezy side effect. I would keep her on the antibiotic but it might be a virus for which there is no treatment. I would put a vaporizer in her room, give her Zyrtec, and maybe even rub some vicks on her. I think you'll notice a difference with the warm steam in her room. I would check on her after an hour and see if it's better. If it doesn't get better, I'd give it a couple more days before calling the doctor again. Coughs can last a while!
Could be a bronchial infection. My daughter started getting them last year every time she got a cold. She was given an albuterol inhaler. After having to use that every time she got a cold, they gave her a steroid inhaler. Now when I think the cold or mucus is settling in her lungs I start the steroid inhaler.
I would get a second opinion.
Definitely get a second opinion! You should always trust your mom instincts.
The "honk" sound when she breathes makes me suspicious - in a lot of parts of the country, pertussis (whooping cough) is making a huge comeback, possibly due to people electing not to have their kids immunized. I just quickly googled "pertussis nebraska" & Nebraska is one of the states seeing a surge in cases. In addition, the vaccine is only 59-89% effective in preventing pertussis. It is a bacterial infection, so the zithromax should help, but it may take more than one course.
I hope your daughter gets well soon!!
It's likely developed into asthma.
Try giving her benydryl or zrytec because it's come on in the spring it's likely allergy induced Asthma.
Sometimes those noises can be scarry. Most likely the dr. could also hear good breath sounds along with the other gunky noises. Do you really think it's in her lungs? Many times in the peds, loud sounds that we think are in the lungs are actually in the upper air ways. Put your hands on her chest when she's breathing. Can you feel the rattling in her chest as well.
Honestly, it sounds like she needs a good breathing treatment to me. Is she calm and relaxed or is she breathing fast and heavily? Does she seem anxious? Are her lips and finger tips a nice pink color and blanchable?
If it were me, I would watch my child for signs of getting worse. If she's not better though after several days, then I would visit the doctor again. You might need another opinion.
