My 2.5 year old son has a cold; when should I take him to the doctor?

Question

My 2.5 year old son has what seems to be a cold; runny nose, no fever, and an awful cough. He hasn't been eating anything either, of substance - just a bite here and there over the last 24 hours. He's a bit lethargic but does not have a rash. He's just not himself. When should I consider it serious enough to call a doctor? THANKS!

Answer 1

Try giving him some medication to help settle him, he's probably aches, a child's painkiller, keep the fluids going into him, so he doesn't become dehydrated, we can last for days without food, it is fluid which is important, the doctor won't be able to do alot as antibiotics or something similar don't work on colds, just monitor his process and if your not happy then take him, just keep the fluids up

Answer 2

I'd take him to the doctor, if not for anything but peace of mind. He sounds fine but it is better to get it checked out. I would not give a 2.5 year old cough medicine!! Try giving him some popsicles, if he has a sore throat the cold will make it feel better(plus they taste good) make sure he gets lots of fluids, the posicles help with this. My daughter was just sick as well(she's 2), and I was worried sick because she wouldn't eat, I took her to the doctor and she said as long as she was getting fluids, and eating a little she would be fine. You probably know this but don't give your son any milk it will make him more stuffed up.

Answer 3

It could be more than a cold.
If the cold is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms, see your doctor,the problem may be a more serious disorder than cold.
* Fewer that remain above 101 deg F for more than three days,or any fever above 103 deg F,children with high fecer should see a doctor within 24 hours
* Any hot,extreme pain,such as earache,swollen tonsils.sinus pain,or aching lungs or chest.
* Excessively large amounts of sputum,or sputum that is greenish or bloody.
* Extreme difficulty swallowing.
* Excessive loss of appetite.
* Wheezing
* Shortness of breath.
Please if you notice any of these symptoms,take the baby to doctor.

Answer 4

Keep some kind of cold medicine in him for the cough and other cold symptoms. Give it about a week only if he doesn't start to run a fever. If he doesn't do better with the cold medicine, take him to the doctor. Or if he develops a fever, take him right away.

Answer 5

if his temp goes over 39 or if he stops drinking and his nappy is quite dry if he is still moping around after 3 days then take him remember thats what the doctor is there for if you are concernd then most docs will talk to you on the phone and answer any questions. im no professional just a mum of a 3.5yrold and am tellin you from personal experience. hope he feels better soom. also when my daughter has a cold the best thing to do at nite is a warm bath in a steamy bth room or constantly boil the kettle in there room to create steam b4 they go to bed just remember to take it outa there way.

Answer 6

take him if he gets a fever. if he doesn't have a fever, he doesn't have an infection. there's nothing the doc can do for a cold. my daughter had like 10 cold her first winter and the doctor always told us the same thing. even when it seems like he's had it 2 weeks, it's probably just a new cold. make sure to keep him hydrated. we use water and apple juice.

Answer 7

Pediatric waiting rooms are full of coughing kids and the two of you could come out of there with worse than you went in with. Get him some children's DM cough syrup and feed him some chicken soup. He will probably cough less if you keep him sitting up. I propped mine up with stuffed animals. And get a humidifier for the room. Keep him clean and watch the temperature. If his eyes get gooey or he gets an earache, you need the doctor.

Answer 8

you need to take him as soon as possible scince he is so young. if you cant email me at [e-mail] and i will try and help you as soon as i can.