What should I do about my 14 month old?

Question

We are stationed up north so it is very cold here, I came back after my hubby's deployed in July and my son has been sick since. I have taken him to 3 different doc's and the ER and they each have told me something different. One saids he just has a cold, one said he has an inner ear infection and the other saids there's nothing wrong with him. They keep giving me Sudafed 4 him and it seems 2 go away but a week later he's sick again... He had a fever a while back for like a week and they said that was ok as long as he was takin fluids. Now he's congested really bad and is coughing a lot. I have been using a humidifer and giving him Infants Tylenol cold and cough but nothing seems 2 be working, and the doc's here are worthless. What else can I try. I feel so bad 4 him because all he does it cry.... is it just a cold or something more serious.. I kno u are all not doc's but the doc's here aren't helping me either! he is only 14 months old! Any opinions would help!

Answer 1

If your son has been this way since July, there is probably a more serious problem than just a cold or ear infection. Are all three doctors aware of the length of time this has been carrying on? My family is in the military, so I know that the docs sometimes suck (sometimes they are great, though). I would ask your doc for a referral to a civilian doctor, and take your son to a reputable pediatritian. If he won't do that, you need to work up a big stink about it with your or your husbands supervisors, and get to the doctors boss. Dealing with no answers (right ones anyway) since july is way over the edge. They are obligated to help you out, but you might have to be pretty pushy.

Answer 2

well, i can tell you from past experience with my daughter, i went through the same thing just a few months ago, with taking her to three different doctors. they told me the same thing your docs told you. one said she had a cold, the next said she had an inner ear infeciton, and the last one said there was nothing wrong with her. the last dr i saw, explained to me, that sometimes there really isnt anything wrong with our baby when it seems like there is an ear infection, but most drs will say there is an ear infeciton, and prescribe a low dose of amoxicillin, since it will do no harm to the baby. they do this, so you wont tell them there is something wrong with the baby, and make them check out the baby again. he also said that ear infections are the most commonly misdiagnosed cases in children. in your case, if they keep telling you to give him sudafed, he probally does have an inner ear infection, that is not bad enough to need a prescription, the sudafed should help clear up the congestion in the ears. as far as continuing to get sick, i would say he's probally getting exposed to different viruses. babies ammune systems are much weaker than ours, and this is cold and flu season, so i could understand why he keeps getting sick. as for right now, my daughter just got over the coughing, sneezing, and congestion. i gave her the same exact thing you are giving your son, and i had the water vaporizer in her room, just like you have. i also got her some vics vapor rub for babies, and as soon as i put that on her, her congestion cleared up right away.i used it the very first day she was sick, and she was over it the next day. i gave her the tylenol, gave her a warm bath, rubbed her down with the vics, turned on the vaporizer, and the next morning she was all better. that vics really helped! i hope your son gets better, give him lots fluid (not milk), lots of cuddles and kisses, and if he gets worse, like throwing up alot, or running a high fever for a couple hours, i'd take him back into the ER. good luck with your little one, i hope he feels better soon!

Answer 3

Is it possible that he has allergies? Maybe to furry pets?

It is possible for a baby to get sick every other week or so. My husband worked in a children's hospital when our eldest was an infant, and she was sick at least twice a month. If your son goes to daycare that could be a factor. You could also try wiping down the shopping cart with disinfecting wipes (the parts his little hands will touch) or using a shopping cart cover. My baby (16 months) chews on the shopping cart when she thinks I'm not looking, and I know there have to be millions of germs on there!

I hope your little guy feels better soon!!! One of my friends has 3 kids and she's had at least 1 sick nonstop for the last 6 months and she is totally exhausted from it, so I can imagine how frustrated you must be feeling.

Answer 4

It could just be allergies. Maybe like pollen or something. Especially with the weather changing like it does, it's probably affecting him. Is there maybe an allergy specialist ( sorry I'm not sure what kind of doctor that is :) ) you could take him to? I know it's the military and tricare and all. But maybe you can get a referral to find out what's going on. Poor baby. I know that's got to be rough on him and you.. Hope it all works out!!

Answer 5

I am so sorry, what a position to be in, you must be beside yourself. Take him back to the doctors until you get the answer you want! You are Mum so you know better than any doctor. It is not normal for a 14 mth old to be like that for such a long time. Good luck, I hope he gets better soon.

Answer 6

Cough is caused by a number of ailments.
It can be treated by over the counter medicines
or home remedies. More information available
at http://ailments.in/cough.html

Answer 7

He needs to go to a ear,nose and throat doctor. In the mean time keep him away from things that are going to congest him more.

Answer 8

if he seems to be sick more frequently then other kids i would insist the docs test his immune system to make sure he doesnt have an immune deficiency