Should I Take Her to the Doc?

Updated on April 24, 2009
S.C. asks from Bowling Green, OH
17 answers

My tow year old has this terrible deep chest cough. She coughs all day and all night. She also has a runny nose, yet is stuffy. She does have a slight fever, but nothing too serious. She's playing as normal, but not really eating well. Yesterday she took 3 naps instead of her normal one and this morning she woke up almost an hour later than normal. I tend to be a bit of a worry wart when it comes to taking her to the doctor. My first instinct is to call them. Normally I resist the urge until at least a few days has passed. If she doesn't show any improvement, I call. This keeps me from bugging the doctor every time my little one has a cold. This deep chest cough has me worried though. When she's in the middle of a coughing fit, she can't breath. This will be the third full day this has been going on. Should I call the doc? How do I know if it's more than just a cold? I worry that it could be bronchitis. I hate to take her to the doc (she's petrified of the doc and it's a screaming fit the whole time) if she's just got a cold. Also, is there ANYTHING she can take to help with this cough?

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So What Happened?

I did wind up taking her to the doctor. Shortly after I posted my request, I found out my nephew had been hospitalized for a severe upper respiratory infection. Turns out my daughter just has a cold, but the doc did find the beginnings of strep. So, she's on antibiotics for now. Hopefully that will make her feel better!

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S.F.

answers from Fort Wayne on

To help lessen the cough and loosen phlegm in the throat, I suggest getting an evaporator. Place it near where ever she sleeps or plays. The hot vapors help them breathe a bit easier. You might also try letting her play in the bathroom while you run a hot shower. The high amount of steam in the bathroom may help open her passages.

Also, there is a product called Baby Vics. It's a menthol application within a vaseline type substance. Rub a small amount on the chest and just a tiny tiny thin dab under the nostrils.

Other over-the-counter products you can use are Mucinex for kids... reduces nasal and chest congestion. There is also kids meds for colds by Tylenol, Benedryl, Triaminic. They all seem to work rather well.

An old wives talk I heard was putting the child to bed with Vics lathered on the bottom of the feet and then putting heavy socks on.

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B.W.

answers from Mansfield on

My daughter is 2 1/2 and we just went through a similar situation. She woke up in the middle of the night with a deep chesty cough, we got the vaporizer out and called the pediatrician in the morning. We took her in to find out she had pneumonia. The dr. said to give her a 1/2 - 1 tsp of honey to help the cough. It did miracles for her! It is almost an instant change once her throat gets a lining of honey and settles the cough

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

If she can't breathe when she coughs, sounds weezy while she does or has a barking cough, you really need to take her in as soon as possible. If it's more of a I want to cough something up type sound try sitting in a steamy bathroom for a little bit, and use a vaporizer at night, if these don't help I'd still take her in soon, just to be safe. hope she feels better

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P.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

Sounds like a spring mold allergy, but I am not a doctor. I would at least call and talk to the nurse about it.

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A.K.

answers from Columbus on

Take her to the doc today. Don't worry about 'bugging the doctor'.....that's their job. The cough could turn to pnuemonia as well. Or she could have RSV. Or bronchitis like you said. Better safe than sorry.

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T.M.

answers from Toledo on

Shaun, take your daughter to the doctor NOW!!! there is no such thing as a "deep chest cold". take it frome me, i thought the same thing...and this led to my daughter ending up with a staph infection in her lungs and double pneumonia, which led to emergency surgery, 14 days in ICU breathing with the assistance of a ventilator, and 11 more days on the pediatric floor of the hospital...all becuase i thought she would get better. you simply have to bug the doctor. the crazy thing is, she was so sick, but acting so normal. just could not believe it. she was only 18 months and i could have lost her due to the fact that i didnt want to bug the doctor. BUG THE DOCTOR!!! thats what they are there for. and make sure you TAKE HER IN!!! FAST. for heavens sake, the girl probably feels terrible, but at that age, we all know they have energy on their side. okay shaun, im getting riled up. take her now... or take her to urgent care. make sure you tell them she coughs all day and night and it has been three days... i bet she even has a fever... my guess is its pneumonia....i will keep you in my prayers.

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D.F.

answers from Cleveland on

When to Call the Doctor:
Most childhood coughs are nothing to be worried about. However, call your doctor if your child:

Has trouble breathing or is working hard to breathe
Is breathing more quickly than usual
Has a blue or dusky color to the lips, face, or tongue
Has a high fever (especially if your child is coughing but does NOT have a runny or stuffy nose)
Has any fever and is less than 3 months old
Is an infant (3 months old or younger) who has been coughing for more than a few hours
Makes a "whooping" sound when breathing in after coughing
Is coughing up blood
Has stridor (a noisy or musical sound) when breathing in
Has wheezing when breathing out (unless you already have a home asthma care plan from your doctor)
Is weak or cranky

It sounds like your daughter is having trouble breathing during the coughing fits. Please take her in to see the doctor to make sure her lungs are clear!!

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T.B.

answers from Canton on

I just had the same thing with my 4 yr old. I put it off all week, thinking oh it's just a cold. I even sent him to preschool. Well he had a double ear infection and pneumonia. It is better to feel safe than sorry.

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D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

MIght want to go to Half Price Books or Amazon and purchase copies of NATURALLY HEALTHY BABIES & CHILDREN by Romm and ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NATURAL HEALTH AND HEALING FOR CHILDREN by Weber. You'll use these ALOT!! They will help you figure out whether to spend the time & $$ to go to the doctors office and give you suggestions as to how to help NATURALLLY, without meds!!

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K.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Anytime you are concerned about your child's health you should take her to the doctor. You are not bothering them, this is what they get paid for.

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S.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

For heaven's sake CALL THE DOCTOR!

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B.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

My personal opinion is that she needs to be seen. If she is having trouble breathing- probably has an upper respiratory infection that has taken hold. you want to get rid of that. Doctors HELP...

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J.C.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi, Shaun! I would definitely make an appointment to see the doctor. In the meantime, I would make sure she's drinking. She could very well have a sinus infection. As for her coughing, I'm a firm believer of putting Vick's vapor rub on their feet at night (with socks). I do it all the time, and believe it or not, it stops the cough. I have several friends who do it with their children too, and it works! Give it a shot. The poor little thing is probably exhausted from coughing so much. I just think something might be going on, because she's sleeping so much more than normal. Be sure to mention that to your doctor. They may draw blood to make sure her white count isn't elevated. I wish you the best of luck! I hope she feels better real soon!

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A.A.

answers from Toledo on

Take her to the Dr right away. I know of 3 small children in the past month who've had pneumonia and My hubby has also. Fever, cough, extra fatigue - definitely something going on there.

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J.B.

answers from Bloomington on

I would take her to hte Dr. My son is going through the same thing he did 10 days of antibiotic and the Dr also put him on Clairiton and Delysm(sp). he seems to finally be getting better. he is off the antibiotic but we are still using the other two mainly for night time.

good luck

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B.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

In my opinion, you should NEVER put off calling the doctor for fear you're "bugging them". That's what they're there for. I've been sick these last 3 weeks, and have ended up with pneumonia. I've been on the phone with the doctor every day this week. The more information I give them, the better they are able to treat me.

Putting off calling the doctor will only prolong the agony. My 5 year old daughter had a bad cough recently and had to be put on a steroid to get rid of it.

Please call the doctor sooner than later.

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E.W.

answers from Dayton on

Take her to the pediatrician. There isn't much they can do for her in the E.R.
When you take her to the Dr. have them check for whooping cough. It is going around. My five yr old, husband, and myself are recovering from it. All of us were vaccinated too. Good luck.

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