So there's been a cold/cough going around forever. Our whole family has had it and it hangs on for weeks. My son is 3.5 years old and he's acting fine, no fever, but his cough is hanging around and his nose is stuffy today - no discharge of any kind. I just had a checkup at my ob (they look and listen to everything, and I only have upper respiratory cough.
Do I go to the pedi or not? He seems fine, but it's just been hanging on so long. My "gut" says don't worry, but I don't want to be a bad mommy and not go when I should (I'm a first time mom so I'm a little paranoid :)
Well, today his nose isn't stuffy and he's not coughing at all, and he wasn't really coughing yesterday. I think I had a panicky mom moment. Thanks for all your support, MOMS!
Try a humidifier in his room at night and see how it goes. If it is still hanging on in another week or you see any new or worse symptoms then take him to the dr.
I would go, just to be safe. My stepson had a similar cough--it just wouldn't go away. He never complained, never had a fever, never really "acted" sick. His mom finally took him in after almost 3 weeks and he had pneumonia! He had to spend the night in the hospital. Not saying this is your case, but it wouldn't hurt just to have him looked at.
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Well you said your cold and the entire family has been hanging around for weeks. Follow your gut. You know when he is beginning to be in distress if he cannot breathe due to tightness in his chest. Give it a couple days, apply some vicks to his chest (my good old remedy is garlic tea) but you can use what works for you. Then if you find that he is not getting over it, go to the peds - if only for your peace of mind. All the best!
If there are no signs of ear ache/infection, I would not take him. When we pass a cold around the house, I usually open the windows and clean everything. I put a little drop of bleach in my water and clean the stairrail, switch plates, door knobs & handles, toilets, everything we touch and it usually goes away soon. As well, I change my AC filters. I try to take anything that would hold the germs and get it out.
Best wishes.
If in doubt and your schedule allows, just take him. There's nothing to lose this way...especially if it will give you peace of mind.
Get some vitamin D3 drops from the health foods store and give him 10,000 units for 7 days. It should clear up fast. After that, give him 35 units per pound every day, and give yourself 5,000 units every day until summer comes around.
We have this same cold in our house. I am so sick of not being able to breathe - I have congestion. And my kids have the cough. I waited since my daughter had a well check coming up. Her doctor said it's a viral thing that's running rampant in N Texas right now. He said he could give us something for the symptoms, but it would just control it a little...it has to run it's course. He was nice enough to check me out too and said it sounded like I had the same thing. We all feel ok, it's more annoying than anything. This was two weeks ago...after having it for two weeks. It is getting much better, but it's not gone yet. When I called about it last week, I was told to give it another week before coming back. My son has it too, but I have just been waiting it out. I was told to put humidifiers in both rooms at night and have the kids drink lots of water.
I wouldn't be overly concerned. Keep an eye on him to make sure he's his "normal" self. If he's not any better by Wednesday or Thursday, I would take him in.
my oldest has had pneumonia several times and was acting fine and did not have a fever. Its not so much the coughing you need to pay attention to but his breathing.
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