Should we visit the pediatrician?

[camdensmom]

We leave Wednesday.

My 2.5 year old is acting just fine, but he has had a really bad runny nose for the past week and has developed a cough. "Historically" we went through a cycle last winter where he would have a runny nose for a week or so and it would then develop into an ear infection the next week. He had 5-6 ear infections of the course of the winter last year.

At this point he isn't showing signs of an ear infection, but I remember last year all too clear. He would end up with a fever and vomiting from the infection if it wasn't treated quickly enough.

I'm tempted to just take him to the doctor tomorrow or Monday to have his ears looked at, but I'm torn. I am really crunched for time and don't really want to spend 1-3 hours at the doctor office not knowing if he is even sick. Also, I am almost afraid he will pick something up while there since there are so many sick kids in there.

Ugh! What to do...what to do?

 

[tiffsix]

I would just to be safe! Esp. if you are flying!

 

[disneyloveNY]

Definitely if you're flying-I wouldn't hesitate even one second.

 

[Thats_for_Shore]

Whether you're flying or not, you need to take him to the doctor. Inform the doctor that you're leaving on vacation, so even though this may not be serious, you need to be prepared so that he doesn't get ill on the trip.

Sometimes the docs will give an antibiotic just to be on the safe side, especially if you won't be able to get your child to the doctor if things start to go south.

 

[reelmom]

I would take him. I took DS5 the other day for a cough that would not go away. Guess what? DS has bronchitis and an ear infection. Never ran a fever or complained of ear pain. So better safe than sorry.

 

[kellyf2626]

Like a pp said...I would go because they may write you a prescription to take with you since you will be away.

Poor little guy!! That's a lot of ear infections last year! Hopefully this year won't be a repeat!!

 

[Iott Family]

I would definitely take him just for the peace of mind, especially with his history. I would also consider putting him on an allergy med like claritan or allegra. We have done this with two of our four who have a history of upper resp./sinus and ear infections during the "furnace" months. The dust mites and closed air we all breathe in this time of year due to furnaces running really effect some kids. Also, keep him away from smokers and I have found that a 10 minute walk even on colder days can really help everyone!

 

[tanyaandallie]

Well, I wouldn't take him for an after hours visit if he is showing no signs of an ear infection, but I would make an apt and go on Monday. Sounds like with his history he may end up with an ei. I took my ds in before our last vacation b/c i was worried. he was perfectly fine so of course I felt like a moron, but I really wanted to make sure he didn't have an ei before we went on vacation!

 

[TinkandAriel]

Last year, the day before we were to fly out, my dd said her ear hurt. I called her ped and we went in, and he said she had the faintest barely there traces of the beginnings of an ear infection. Now, this is the kid who when she was younger had double ear infections and never made a peep about them! So, I'd do it to be safe. (Just remember to tell the security guys about the big bottle of liquid antibiotics in the carry on --not that I didn't or anything like that--)

 

[inloveindisney]

I'm in a similar boat. MIne is runny nose and a cough. She's not had a problem with ear infections yet, but I worry about her getting a sinus infection or bronchitis. We leave in two weeks. I think I might take her in just to let them listen to her chest anyway. I have a big fear that she'll be sick while we are down there. I would hate that for her-and everyone else that will be with us. If she did have a minor infection, we might be able to get it cleared up before we go!

 

[Aliceacc]

When my son was that age, his got an ear infection every 8 or 9 weeks. The only way I could tell it was bad was because he got incredibly clingy. He never cried or touched his ear; just clung to me like glue.

One year it started on December 23rd. I called the pediatrician, knowing that the odds were good that in 24 hours it would be both Christmas Eve and a sick child.

The pediatrician, God love him, called in a prescription for Amoxicillan to CVS. When we did get in to see him on the 26th, the infection was healing.

Moral to the story: you KNOW your child. He has an ear infection. Call the pediatrician.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[malibuconlee]

Take him. The doc may write him a script for you to take with you 'just in case'. If you don't fill it before hand be sure he writes his DEA number on the script or the out of state pharmacy will have to call the office to get it.

I did that the last time we went, then just popped over to Walgreens to fill it. Got snacks while we were there.