What would you do? Sick kid quesiton...

[njmomtoone]

DS9 started Thirs with a cough and you could tell a cold was coming on. Stayed that way Thurs, Fri and Sat. No fever, just a productive cough.
Throat doesn't hurt.

We are going away on Wed (flying to Florida) so I took him to urgent care on Saturday around 5PM to be safe. Checked hsi ears, chest and did strep and everything was negative. So they said prob just a resp infection/cold.

Yesterday morningm, h has a low grade fever, 100.5, gave him Motrin and he seemed fine. Woke up this morning, no fever. Checked him now and it's 99.8.

I am a newvous wreck because we are flying Wed morning. Do I take him again tonight...or wait it out and see tomorrow and then take him. Don't know what to do.

 

[Derby4me]

Keep in mind that I only have a 7 month old and a 2 year old, but I would skip Urgent Care. I'm not really sure what they could do for you (other than bust your budget) with a kid that only has a cold. I would whip out the chicken noodle soup, go grab some favorite movies, push the fluids and have a day of rest to encourage your kid to kick the cold. I'd also have your sweet babe pop a few vitamine C's. It's only Monday and there is plenty of time to kick a cold...especially one that is probably at the end of running its course. I think everything will work out. Just take a few deep breaths and try hard not to stress your kid out as that will only hinder kicking the cold. Good luck!!

 

[mirage0306]

Sounds a lot like what I've had! No symptoms other than a productive cough, really. I have felt under the weather for a few days. Not running a fever--just tired and worn out.

unless he starts complaining of ear pain or something, I wouldn't bring him back in. There's really nothing they can do for a virus. I would do what the pp suggested and have him rest, nap, eat soups, have some warm tea.

I hope he's better soon!

 

[GinnyEmma]

zinc lozenges, and watch his ears. My dad would put me on afrin when I flew with a cold for comfort and to keep the eustachian tubes clear. (No more than two days was his rule.) Also, ibuprophren for inflamation.

 

[njmomtoone]

I usuaully don't worry, but am concerned since we are flying out on Wed morning.

I have to say, he got a better exam by the nurse practicioner at the CVS Minute Clinic than he does by the doctor at the ped's office. She was so thorough. I only went to the Minute Clinic because it was Saturday night and although the ped's office is open on Sundays, the usually want emergency apts only and bill alot for those.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Could it be allergies? Post nasal drip that is going down the back of the throat will cause a cough.

Things to try:
A steamy shower
Increase liquids
Kids allergy meds
Change his bedsheets - allergens can stick to the hair and end up on the pillow case. After sleeping on the pillow case it can irritate him during the night and make him miserable in the morning.
Have him shower before bed time to get the allergens off of his body.

Before flying give him a decogestant so that he does not have ear pain while flying. I would give it to him an hour before the flight.

 

[monkey30]

I was told by my doctor under 101 its a virus, and let it play out. over that for more then 24hrs expect a infection. Sometimes this isn't always the case, but we try to use this as a rule of thumb!

 

[njmomtoone]

Could it be allergies? Post nasal drip that is going down the back of the throat will cause a cough.

Things to try:
A steamy shower
Increase liquids
Kids allergy meds
Change his bedsheets - allergens can stick to the hair and end up on the pillow case. After sleeping on the pillow case it can irritate him during the night and make him miserable in the morning.
Have him shower before bed time to get the allergens off of his body.

Before flying give him a decogestant so that he does not have ear pain while flying. I would give it to him an hour before the flight.

Could be allergies...not sure. Would you get a fever?

 

[GinnyEmma]

Could it be allergies? Post nasal drip that is going down the back of the throat will cause a cough.

Things to try:
A steamy shower
Increase liquids
Kids allergy meds
Change his bedsheets - allergens can stick to the hair and end up on the pillow case. After sleeping on the pillow case it can irritate him during the night and make him miserable in the morning.
Have him shower before bed time to get the allergens off of his body.

Before flying give him a decogestant so that he does not have ear pain while flying. I would give it to him an hour before the flight.

All good stuff. We don't do oral decongestants because we all get the rapid heartbeat, etc. But dad did give me an antihistime also before I flew home. He isn't usually concerned with a cold, but he has seen ear drums burst too often after flying to not take precautions.

OP, I really hope he is feeling better soon.

 

[MomToOne]

My DD11 routinely runs low fevers with viruses such as colds. I wouldn't worry as long as it stays that low.

 

[ShariVT]

Sounds like a good day to get out the disney movies and push the fluids and airborn rest really is the best medicine for just about everything.

 

[GinnyEmma]

ftr, there is no research that says airborn is effective. Zinc has been proven to shorten the length of a cold.

 

[disneymarie]

I usuaully don't worry, but am concerned since we are flying out on Wed morning.

I have to say, he got a better exam by the nurse practicioner at the CVS Minute Clinic than he does by the doctor at the ped's office. She was so thorough. I only went to the Minute Clinic because it was Saturday night and although the ped's office is open on Sundays, the usually want emergency apts only and bill alot for those.

I hope by now he is feeling much better, but as you are flying I would stop at the CVS for a followup and make sure he did not develope any fluid in his ears. That would be so painful to fly with. I cried like a baby in my arms all the way home my first trip. Asthma turned to a productive cough, I was miserable on the last few days on my first DIS trip. (40 yrs old) By the time we got home I had pluresy in my lungs and huge amount of fluid in the ears.

Because of my asthma and the climate in Fl I guess it escalated. I only wished I had some medications, or broke down to see a clinic while there. THe pain of flying was unbearable for the 2 hr flight.

Hope things are much improved and a wonderful vacation on the eve.

 

[Tistal]

zinc and vitamin C drops. Imo, airborne will make you sicker than you started because it tastes so bad. I hope your little one feels better.

 

[elcodfish]

Before the flight be sure to give him afrin nose spray and a dose of motrin to help keep his ears clear. It could easily be allergies, I get a low grade fever when they are really bad.

 

[Derby4me]

Wondering how the little man is doing this morning. I hope he's all better! Sending pixie dust your way!

 

[ljcraw555]

Just in case your son is a little stuffy...

Ear Planes!

I use them every single time we fly. They look like little rubber corkscrews. My DS8 or my ears never hurt or pop with these in. I use one pair for each flight. I think it says on the box to only use once.

Have a great flight!

 

[njmomtoone]

Wondering how the little man is doing this morning. I hope he's all better! Sending pixie dust your way!

Thanks for asking. Well, fever went up to 102.7 yesterday around 5PM so I took him to the ped. Ears, chest all clear and negative for strep. This morning he woke up it was 99.2 and went down to 98.4 anhour later so maybe it spiked and then borke over night. We'll see.

The doctor said if we wanted to be 100% safe, we could take him for a chest xray to rule out pneumonia, but I don't think we are. He is acting totally fine. From what I read, most kids are sleepy and lethargic, have chills, etc. and he isn't.

Thanks for thinking of us!!

 

[ecatzippy]

I second the EarPlanes suggestion. They are a lifesaver for stuffy kids and adults on the planes They make them in adult and child sizes.

 

[crabbygal902]

I would add to the great advice already listed here to go ahead and get the phone numbers & map out the closest Urgent Care and pharmacy to the place where you'll be staying---just in case.

Best wishes for safe and healthy travel.