Help! Afraid my son will get sick.

[StrikersMom]

I hate to be paranoid, but, I'm hoping for some precautionary advice here.

My son, who will be 16 mo. when we go to the world in Oct., is very prone to getting sick. No joke, I think since he turned 4 mo. we don't go longer than a month with some kind of illness, especially ear infections. Christmas it was croup, then we've had 3 double ear infections and one single ear since. Also, he's prone to sinus infections, has reflux and we believe, allergies. It seems despite my attempts to sanitize everything each day, he always picks up bacterial infections at daycare, or where ever.

I fear he'll get sick right before we travel, which would be horrible. Any precautions anyone can think of for this?

 

[belle&beast]

Wow, I feel for you, it sounds like you are describing my DS now 2 and healthy!!! My best advice if he is having so many ear infections is to get him to an ENT. I had to switch pediatricians because nothing was helping and they just wanted to wait out the infections which had become chronic. He was miserable and I knew something had to be done. I took him to another pediatrician, they referred us to an ENT and he has been well ever since. The new doc. put him on a long term antibiotic to maintain his health and he has only had 1 infection this winter. At this point he is not a candidate for tubes because with the right treatment he has been healthy. My DS also had reflux, but it was resolved by 10 months. He and DD have asthma and suspected allergies so we took the nebulizer with us and benadryl. Luckily everyone stayed healthy, but I know how you feel!

 

[StrikersMom]

Belle & Beast - I'd hate to switch pediatricians as it took us a while to find a good one in dealing with my son's reflux. She's wonderful, I guess the problem is because we have so many unscheduled visits, we don't usually see her, and just get whatever doctor's available. Her husband actually does ear tubes, and she had mentioned that possibility for Riley in the past.

With my son, though, most ear infections come following a cold and congestion of some kind. Benadryl does seem to help him sometimes, as he usually has at least mild congestion. A couple weeks ago he had so much stuff coming out of his nose though, I knew it would be an ear infection if we didn't take action, so off to the doc. we went. The man we saw said if I would have got him in a day or two later, it probably would've been another infection, so now he's on Augmentin. We seem to alternate between that and Ammoxacillan (sp?)

 

[brandip22]

I would call and ask to see that ent- it's not a new pediatrician, just another doc who specializes. Our DS had the same issues and did end up getting tubes and having his adenoids out- it's been a lifesaver! He still has sinus issues, but I amde an appointment with our doctor for a checkup a couple of weeks before our trip. I told her that we were going to WDW and was worried he may get sick right before the trip. She looked him over and saw no signs of illness. So, she gave us a prescription for an antibiotic for just in case. We didn't need to fill it, but it was nice to have to help our fears. Good luck- I know it's tough to hope that everything will go off without a hitch!

 

[dylansmom1]

I don't think you are paranoid at all, just a concerned mother. MY son spent the first 2 years of his life with chronic ear infections, so I know how it goes.

See your doc and make sure you have any necessary meds on hand. Anti-biotics, tylenol, motrin, Anti-histimines, decongestant, vicks, sanitizing wipes, santizing gels, lysol to spray everything with.

I also have discovered some homeopathic earache medicine that are tablets that can be disolved in the mouth. They work great and I used them whenever my son gets a runny nose to keep him from getting an ear infection. It's like $12 at Rite Aid and Walgreens but worth every penny and it taste like sugar and easy for kids to take.

Jane

 

[2tinkersmom]

I would be another to say get a referral from your pediatrician for an ENT...I'm actually surprised with the number of infections you are describing that the pediatrician hasn't recommended that already.

My youngest daughter went through the exact same thing for her first two years and as a result wasn't talking either except for very few words. Our doctor was concerned and sent us to an ENT. It was the best thing we ever did. She had tubes put in both ears right after her second birthday and started speech therapy at about 2 1/2. She was hearing things all muffled, think like you had water in your ears all the time, so she would miss beginning and endings of words and therefore couldn't repeat them well.

I know there are many stories against tubes but for us everything went very well and I'm so glad our doctor was wise enough to catch it.

I can't say she never had another ear infection but instead of having them every couple months, since her tubes she's had a handful and she's now 7.

I don't think your pediatrician will be offended. In fact if you haven't been seeing her for all the infections she may not even realize how frequent the infections have become. There is nothing wrong with getting an opinion from an ENT. They simply have better equipment to look at the ears than your doctors office. My daughter had a hearing test right away too which is how they determined she was hearing things muffled...no hearing significant hearing loss but just not hearing right. I kept thinking her hearing was fine because she responded to me the right way and I was right, but I didn't know the hearing was muffled.

Anyway, moral of my story is that it can't hurt to get it checked out. Had we not caught it early, my daughters speech problems could have been a lot worse as she started school as well.

 

[2tinkersmom]

Sorry, just caught something else in your post that reminded me of my daughter. You mentioned amoxicilian...we finally realized through all her infections that she wasn't responding to amoxicillian as an antibiotic. We would have her on it and the infection wouldn't clear up. So from then on she only got augmentin or zithromax. They definitely respond differently in different people. Hers would always follow a cold too, it was so predictable that it would always turn into the ear infections.

Hang in there and just continue pursuing things with the doctors.

 

[jsd70]

Just to let you know. If your child becomes sick while at WDW there is a nice pediatirician at CentraCare walk in clinic. I can't remember his name, but if you are staying on site they will transport you their or give you directions. Hope your trip goes well. My son also had trouble with ear infections and allergies. He got tubes at 9 months with good results and started allergy meds at age 2.

 

[StrikersMom]

Just want to say thanks for all the great advice. My son will be seeing the ENT, who happens to be his pediatrician's husband, next week for a hearing test. We'll see what he has to say!

 

[mommyceratops]

I am with you. Our first trip when DS was 3 I was so nervous. He is FTT (failure to thrive) and other things and every time he would get sick we would end up in the hospital.

Our doctor told me who to contact at Orlandos hospital if he got sick in WDW.

I took TONS of antibacterial hand cleaner and EVERYONE washed their hands after every ride, anytime anyone did anything. I was very OCD about this, but we have gone 2 times and not sick (yet knock on wood)

I also carry lysol wipes and would wipe down the dinner table. I know I am crazy over this. But I don't want him sick in Disney!!

 

[gianna2006]

Just wanted to say that I understand about your concerns with the ear infections - my son suffered from many ear infections from the time he was 18 months until he was about 2 1/2. We saw an ENT and he said in my son's case we should wait it out a little more, as sometimes kids outgrow the infections by the time they turn three or so. If the infections didn't stop, we would talk about tubes. Thankfully, it never came to this.

My pediatricians are very conservative when handing out antibiotics, as overexposure to these drugs has already caused lots of bacteria to mutate and become resistant to the antibiotics. Lots of times the ear infections are caused by a virus, which antibiotics do not kill. The only thing that works in a virus situation is waiting it out - and (believe me) I know this can be very difficult. The only way to know if an ear infection is caused by a virus or a bacteria is to actually culture the inner ear fluid, which, obviously, is not done on a regular basis. Also, placing a person long term care with antibiotics makes them susceptible to things like fungal growth (like yeast infections), because as the "good" bacteria die along with the bad, the good bacteria are no longer in the environment to keep other things in check. I've worked for years in a hospital laboratory and have seen many of these bacteria grow and flourish where antibiotics were supposed to have killed them. This is why sometimes, with some people, amoxicillan doesn't work and you have to go to a different antibiotic to kill the infection bacteria. Just keep this in mind and maybe speak to your pediatrician about this, as I've found many doctors are handing antibiotics out like candy without exploring other options.

Don't get me wrong - sometimes and antibiotic is all that will work, and it certainly is up to your doctor what is right to do. But I would be very wary of a doctor that hands out antibiotics for a "just in case" situation - going to Disney or not. I would rather go the doctor at the clinic on-site and get the appropriate treatment for my sick child then fill a perscription in the hopes that it will work.

 

[KristiKelly]

I haven't read all the responses (gotta go pick my kids up from school) but if the ear infections persist, I would look into tubes. We had tubes for DS when he was 22 mo. old - THe best thing we ever did for him. He was always on antibiotics because of his ears. Once he got the tubes, it seemed like he stopped getting colds as much. The tubes also helped with the plane ride (just in case you're flying). I have never had to use the onsite clinic but have a friend who has used it twice. Every time they go down her son gets strep throat. They gave him a shot of antibiotic and he was feeling better by morning. Try not to stress it too much.

 

[amarberry]

Hi ...just wanted to add my two cents. I noticed that you metioned that your son is having reflux and sinus isses in addition to the ear infections. I don't know if your ped. has determined a cause of the reflux yet, but my DD suffered from horrible reflux and sinus issues and it turned out that she had pretty significant allergies. She had allergy testing at 7 months and as soon as I eliminated the culprit (eggs) from my diet (because it was being transmitted through breastmilk) the reflux stopped. Just might be something that you might want to look into....

 

[mom2isaac&ella]

My DS4 & my DD2 have both had tubes & the surgery is so easy, I recommend them to anyone whose child is suffering from multiple ear infections. Like you, I love my pediatrician & still go to her, but I feel she took too long to recommend an allergist & ENT for my son. He started allergy symptoms when he was a year old along with ear infections. The tubes helped with the infections, but the allergies persisted & he had several bouts of pnemonia & now he has allergy induced asthma. Many kids do not begin allergy symptoms until they are older & I think this is why my MD opted for the wait and see approach. After beging tested at 2 1/2 & starting allergy shots & several medications, he has not been so sick that he has needed antibiotics. When my DD started with allergy symptoms & ear infections my doctor was wonderful & suggested we start treatments earlier than she did with my son. She knows it runs in the family. You may want to go ahead with allergy testing. Since starting shots & meds my son has been healthier & happier. We can tell when he is due for an allergy shot b/c he gets very moody & tends to fall apart easily. After the shot he is back to his happy self. Best of luck!
Oh yeah, have you seen those highchair/grocery seat covers? I don't know if you want to lug it around WDW, but they do seem to keep them away from the grossness of public highchairs. I think I saw them in the One Step Ahead catalog.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Trip insurance

But even then, unless a very serious illness...it may not be covered. But certainly worth looking into.


On site--be aware of where the clinics are. They are there for that reason.

I agree about not getting just in case antibiotics---b/c without a diagnosis of an ear infection---which would require a clinic visit anyway.

My girls have been sick on vacation--and it stinks..but you just roll with it. Nothing you can do about it unfortunately (other than treat it and wait it out).

 

[crisi]

Just wanted to say that I understand about your concerns with the ear infections - my son suffered from many ear infections from the time he was 18 months until he was about 2 1/2. We saw an ENT and he said in my son's case we should wait it out a little more, as sometimes kids outgrow the infections by the time they turn three or so. If the infections didn't stop, we would talk about tubes. Thankfully, it never came to this.

My pediatricians are very conservative when handing out antibiotics, as overexposure to these drugs has already caused lots of bacteria to mutate and become resistant to the antibiotics. Lots of times the ear infections are caused by a virus, which antibiotics do not kill. The only thing that works in a virus situation is waiting it out - and (believe me) I know this can be very difficult. The only way to know if an ear infection is caused by a virus or a bacteria is to actually culture the inner ear fluid, which, obviously, is not done on a regular basis. Also, placing a person long term care with antibiotics makes them susceptible to things like fungal growth (like yeast infections), because as the "good" bacteria die along with the bad, the good bacteria are no longer in the environment to keep other things in check. I've worked for years in a hospital laboratory and have seen many of these bacteria grow and flourish where antibiotics were supposed to have killed them. This is why sometimes, with some people, amoxicillan doesn't work and you have to go to a different antibiotic to kill the infection bacteria. Just keep this in mind and maybe speak to your pediatrician about this, as I've found many doctors are handing antibiotics out like candy without exploring other options.

Don't get me wrong - sometimes and antibiotic is all that will work, and it certainly is up to your doctor what is right to do. But I would be very wary of a doctor that hands out antibiotics for a "just in case" situation - going to Disney or not. I would rather go the doctor at the clinic on-site and get the appropriate treatment for my sick child then fill a perscription in the hopes that it will work.

In addition, prolonged repeated exposure to antibotics as a small child can make the child allergic. And since the antibotic usually given is penicillian, and since penicillian variants are the only thing that will kill some bacteria - you don't want a penicillian allergic child - it may kill them (an ear infection probably won't). (We need to have my daughter tested, she is now six and hasn't had penicillian since about ten months when she had a rash - my nephew is definately allergic through repeated exposure to penicillan.)

 

[39CINDERELLA]

I took TONS of antibacterial hand cleaner and EVERYONE washed their hands after every ride, anytime anyone did anything. I was very OCD about this, but we have gone 2 times and not sick (yet knock on wood)

I also carry lysol wipes and would wipe down the dinner table. I know I am crazy over this. But I don't want him sick in Disney!!

call me crazy too!
I am known as a germ freak at home
use the wipes and gel all the time when out in public.

 

[HiddenMickey3018]

My 2 boys have asthma. My oldest son has allergies, so I carry an inhaler and an eppy-pen every where I go. So I can relate to what you are going through. Have you tried daily vitimins? Has your ped's ever mention getting tubes in the ear? With all those ear infections, it should be looked into. Because putting the child on antibotics can do more harm than good. Talk to the doctor, or look into seeing a new one at a new practice.

 

[gopack]

Go to an ENT. If the cause is allergies it canusually be treated very easily.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Stikers Mom, I noticed in your OP you said your son is in daycare. Don't you think that when kids are around lots of other kids, they get sick? We joined Gymboree when my twins were just over a year old. All of a sudden it seemed like they were sick all the time. I contemplated pulling them out, but discussed it with my pediatrician who said, basically, take your choice, get it over with now, or when they start preschool. In other words, one way or another, they were going to get sick being around other kids. Just a thought. We had our share of illness when my kids started childcare/preschool as well, but it didn't seem as often as that first experience at Gymboree when they had very little germ immunity.

I'm also more of a believer in common sense and good hand washing than things like wipes and lysol. I can't help but wonder if down the road we're going to be learning that things like these are in and of themselves causing health problems. Not to mention that it's ok for children to have some germ exposure so they do develop immunity. Painful, I know, but necessary.

The reason sometimes they recommend "waiting a bit" (with ear infections) if your child is already two years old is because at age 3 the eustachian tubes become vertical and fluid can drain better out of the ear (it's the stagnant fluid that gets infected). Prior to that the tubes are horizontal so fluid cannot drain as well. My DD had many ear infections when she was very young, but around age 3 she stopped getting them. We'd had her hearing tested and it and her speech were normal, so on the advice of our doctor decided to wait, which worked out well for us.

Good luck, I hope you have a nice trip without your son getting sick.