AsI am out of practice for about four years...

[6_Time_Momma]

Olivia has a large amount of green drainage from her right eye and a temp of 99.4. Is this newborn baby normal stuff or are we probably dealing with eye infection!

It's been too long!!!!

 

[doxdogy]

Just my gut feeling tells me this might be an eye infection. I'd give the doctor a call and ask just to be on the safe side.

 

[Kitty 34]

Kristy, I was always told that anything green probably means an infection but what do I know.....it's been almost 15 years for me!!! Sending lots of PD for your little Olivia.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I would, but they're already closed, dangit! I was trying to decide if I am safe til Monday or if I need to take her to the Express Care.

 

[nativetxn]

I would go ahead and take her to the convenience clinic, Kristy, but that's just me. I hope Olivia is alright.

 

[RitaZ.]

Could it be a blocked/clogged tear duct? I remember that happening to my older DS and the pediatrician recommended gently massaging and warm compresses. DS is almost 12, so maybe the recommendations are different now.

Good luck!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

It's probably a clogged tear duct and yes they can get infected.

99.4 isn't that high for an infant, but green is not a good color. As young as she is it is probably much safer to get her to a dr. asap.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

anything like "Ask a Nurse" hotline or something similar? I'd hate for you to take such a teeny baby into the flu-infested urgent care center.

 

[Cruise04]

My grandma told me once - green is infection and brown is too late (past infection). The doc confirmed this for me one time when my daughter was sick. That is always my clue to get to the doc before it gets too bad! First sign of green/yellow - we go!

 

[RitaZ.]

I found this, you may want to read it.

http://www.parentsplace.com/toddlers/health/qas/0,,205611_101188,00.html

 

[ahutton]

You might call your insurance provider, they often have a nurse on call number.

Both of my girls had some eye junk, from blocked tear ducts. I cleaned them with warm water on clean cotton balls. Neither needed eye drops when they were little, we were told just to keep it clean and if the fever goes up to call back to arrange an appointment. Of course, I don't recall how old they were, I'm thinking it was around 8 weeks or so?

 

[jel0511]

The baby probably has a blocked tear duct. You need to massage the area below the tear duct and towards the nose. The tear duct is clogged and they can get infected. You will probably be given a prescription for an eye ointment, since baby's are too little to use drops on. The infection will take a while to clear up, and it probably will re-occur down the line, so save any left-over ointment. I was told by my doctor to clean the pus off with sterile room temperature water (boil it for 5 minutes) and a cotton ball. Dry the area well, as any left over water can lead to re-infection since it will breed bacteria. My DS had this problem, and he had a re-current eye infections from this until he was 8 months old, when the tear duct finally opened. Doesn't your practice have after-hours emergency coverage? I'd just call them and have a doctor paged, so he/she can call in the prescription for the eye ointment. No reason to have to take a young infant to an "express care" place with all the germs.

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by jel0511
You will probably be given a prescription for an eye ointment, since baby's are too little to use drops on.

Will someone explain this? (Deb?) We use drops all the time on eyes that are the size of a pea. The excess just runs off.



oh and green/yellow ~ infection

 

[browneyes]

I hope Olivia gets to feeling better soon. My kids' peds office is open on Saturday at 3 of their locations. They only see sick kids on Saturday. Does your ped have weekend hours?

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well I'm out of practice as well since my "baby" is 5 1/2, but I remember one of my DDs had blocked tear ducts. Don't remember anything green coming out though! I would take the advice for the tear ducts, but if anything is green I would get her to your pediatrician.
One thing--my pediatrician has one office for "well" visits and one for "sick". I would ask to wait in the "well" office if your doctor is also like that. It lessens the chance you would be exposed to any flu stuff, and I don't think an eye infection qualifies as "sick".
Robin M.