My 3 yr old started off with a sniffle end of last week, thought she was getting better sent her to school on Monday and today she wakes up with a mucous sounding cough. My husband is the first to grab any over the counter remedy and I'm not convinced. My instinct tells me I should take her to the Dr. but I'm afraid they'll tell me to load her up on antibiotics, which you always hear are not good for toddlers. Help need of advice. Thanks!
Thanks to everyone that has emailed in I appreciate it. I did take her to the Dr's. this morning and she's ok. Nothing to worry about. Doc said put the vick's rub on her to loosen the phlegm and keep feeding her fluids as well as rest and keeping her comfortable. The good thing is she hasn't had a fever. But as you all mentioned I was concerned that this could get worse. Doc says to keep doing what I've been doing and this should run it's course. Obviously if it worsens to bring her back in. Again thanks for all the great advice!
Hi V.!
J. here, I am a mom to an 8 year old at Bird School and a 5 month old. My father and my sister are doctor's and have always told me what is just being released to the public now - NO OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS FOR LITTLE ONES. With that said, I have always done the warm mist vaporizer with the Vics and the vics on the bottom of the feet with socks at night. It has always worked for me (on the coughs only though). Hope this helps:-)
J.
Hi, If the mucus is yellowish green then she has an infection and she will need to be seen by a Doctor. No OTC will get rid of it. Yes she probably will get an antibiotic shot but that's the only way you will be able to get rid of this problem
Take care and let me know how things turn out.
C. Kotsou
There is a nasty cold going around. Both of my kids got it. I didn't take them in for 2 weeks, when it became apparent that the one had ear pain. It started as a cold an became an ear infection. If it were me, I would probably wait until I thought there was something else along with it, however, if there is a fever, I would take them right away, or if the runny nose is green, that's a sign of infection. Good luck.
Its a nasty bug going around and most ofhte people i have talked to whos young children have gotten it there dr's have told them to just let it run its course and keep the child comfortable, try vics vapor bath at bed time that helps. (even my husband uss htis when he gets cold its been through my intire family my 2 younger children got over it quickly m oldest son never really got it and my oldest daughter has been fighting the cough for a good 2 weeks althugh she is getting better. While i wound up wiht pneumonia and a very strong antibiotic. So it really up to you weather you take her in to the dr. But with all the over the counter scares with young children and cough meds. I would ask my dr what you can give your child.
To play it on the safe side, you should take your little one to the doctor. Also, have you tried any of the Vick's vapor products? Sometimes that helps them breathe better.
Good Luck!
Go to the doctor, a sniffles and a mucous sounding cough is what my 6 month old had recently and he had to be put on a nebulizer, cleared it up within a week though.
Hi V.,
I would take your daughter to the doctor.This type of cough, not to scare, can lead into pneumonia. It seems to be going around, lately.
J.
Honestly today a DR. is unlikely to load your kid up with drugs unless it's something very serious. You'll go and they'll tell you to let it run it's course if it's a virus or cold. They will most likely suggest: Propping her up at night to help drainage, using saline drops in her nose to help clean out the virus and help break up the goop in the nose, and lastly a cold mist humidifier in her room at night. So I don't think you have anything to worry about. Oh also the biggest thing: Lots of fluids to drink. Clear fluids. Good luck and I hope she gets better.
I called my son's doc when he got all congested and a stuffy nose ... they said to give him the orange triamenic ... hope your little one feels better soon.
Hi my name is T. I'm a new nurse and mother of two 7 & 20 mo., my advise would be if there is nothing green or brown and no fever let it take its course alot of the otc meds are not for young children. If your DR is good he won't order any antibiotics unless there is an infection. Try using a humidifer at night in her room and a cough med at night if she is coughing. Stock up on the chewable vitamins and drink lots. Hope she gets feeling better.
Does she have a fever?? does she seem like she is getting better or worse?? How is she acting ?? How sick is she acting.??
those are the questions I ask myself before we go to the dr.
My dr says if the child has a fever for more than 48 hours they should be seen.
Recently my child did have a fever for more than 48 hours so we went to the dr. -- the dr did an exam and said it was a virus... He did not give antibiotics. A few days later she was still sick and a bit worse - so we went back to the dr and he did prescribe antibiotics.
You are right kids do not need antibiotics for every cold. but if the cold has turned into bronchitis, pneumonia or an ear infection - she may need antibiotics.
my ped says that the cough can linger long after the child is no longer sick. Wierd I know but he said its normal.
Hi V. -
If there is any type of production with any color you should take her in to see the doctor. Especially if there is a fever. Most likely your doctor will only put her on antibiotics if she really needs it. Infections can set in and manifest quickly at this age. For an at-home remedies you can try lathering the bottom of her feet up with Vicks Vapor Rub and put a pair of socks on her before bed. Elevate the head of the bed to help drainage from sinuses when she sleeps and a cool mist vaporizer should help, too. I wish you the best - good luck. S.
Hello i know this is really late but I am new to this. I have found that when my 2 year old get a chest congestion that childrens mucinex works great.
