My son has been sick with a head and chest cold for 3 weeks?

Question

I took him in to the pediatrician because I knew he had an ear infection. She gave him antibiotics. Ear infection got better,but the chest and head cold will just no get better.He says he doesn't feel good.His head hurts.He is very cogested.The thing is he is not running a temp.He put himself to bed tonight at 5:00, he's 4
Please experienced moms out there tell me should I go to work tomarrow or stay home with him to take him back to the Dr's.

Answer 1

Take him back to the doctor and make an issue of the chest congestion.

Honestly, my youngest had a terrible head/chest cold that lasted for weeks. We took him to his pediatrician (wouldn't give antibiotics because it was a virus) , then we took him to the urgent care (also no antibiotics, looked him over and sent him home). We finally thought it had cleared up and then one day he had a seizure that lasted over 20 minutes because of a sudden onset of a high temperature (also known as a febrile seizure...can happen in kids under 6 years old and he HAD NOT had a temperature at all). We called 911 and he ended up air-lifted to the hospital where he stayed for a week.

I don't mean to scare you but don't ever think that you are "overreacting" to your child feeling ill. You just never know when something that seems relatively minor can still be important. You're the parent; you know your child. Trust your gut.

Oh, and always keep kids motrin (or the generic version) on hand for fevers. Tylenol is great for lower temps 102 and under but worthless on temperature spikes. Benadryl (or generic) for nose and/or allergy troubles, motrin for fever and kids cough stuff with guafessin+cool mist humidifier+vicks vapo rub for a cruddy chest. Not to forget chicken noodle soup and tea ;-)

Good luck. If you don't have success with the pediatrician go chat with your local pharmacist. I've found them to be great allies in taking care of sick munchkins.

Answer 2

Interesting (I'm sure your child is/will be fine) -- Glad the vitals all read well, but this diagnosis is puzzling. I would like to have examined the child. At any rate I think the most likely differential would be: Bacterial Bronchitis - with possible: Asthma Bronchospasm Reactive Airway Disease Often Asthma is initiated by a bacterial infection.. so the asthma ruling might still be on the table. With negative Xray, I am willing to bet a low grade (very low) will present if this doesn't clear up soon. The cough sounds productive, but isn't.. I assume. Otherwise a sputum sample should be taken. The RAD isn't likely either. A Pediatrician is a good start, but if he can't find any positive results a pulmonary specialist would be a better route , imho. Watch for any change in basal temperature.. if it slowly raises.. even a few tenths - it is likely bacteria taking hold. The asthma shouldn't be presenting at this level unprovoked. Best of luck,

Answer 3

I'd take him back to the doctor. These darn colds can really hang on -- it's frustrating. If he had a fever, I'd think maybe he had pnemonia or a sinus infection....ask the doctor about those possibilities. They could do a CT of his sinuses and/or a chest x-ray to rule out phemonia. It's probably neither. But it's really hard to watch our little ones go through this.

A few things that have helped our family a lot are...increasing the humidity in the house, and especially in the bedroom. Humidifiers are wonderful. Also, hot steamy showers to loosen everything up. Use "Shower soothers" from the makers of pseudafed. They are eucalyptus disks that you put on the shower floor that dissolve and make vapors that help them breathe better. Sounds like he has lots of mucus that needs stirring up.

It would be good it you could stay home w/him and take him back to the doctor for a recheck. It's worth it for your peace of mind.

Answer 4

If he has no fever that's a very good sign. Cold and congestion durations depend on the individual. I wish I knew what your alternatives were to staying home. If you have adequate and reliable care for him while you work, then I would leave him with your provider. If he isn't better by Friday, I would make an appt. for Monday and try my best to alleviate his symptoms over the weekend. This is only in the event that no fever is present. If one spikes, give him children's Tylenol according to package directions and make an appt. with his pediatrician. Good luck and God bless...

Answer 5

I'm no mom, but this might be serious. Stay home and maybe go to the doctors. When I was sick, I went online to this site where you can look up sicknesses and you can try matching the symptoms with the sickness. Make sure he drinks a lot of fluids.

I hoped it helped
I hope he feels better too.

Answer 6

I have been there so many times you will never imagine.. Take him to a doctor that believes that he needs to be on a special diet.

My son was like that and 3 months or less under the diet he was great and not a problem. A working mom is a diffiucal thing to do but I will say what a Dr in Oklahoma said... he needs to stay off red meat, ...only meat he can have is white...no bread...only rhy wheat and ...veggies..

He will get better immediately

Answer 7

If you feel the doctor is not getting to the root of the problem, it might be time for a second opinion. Your doctor should not be offended by this as it is your childs health you are talking about. If they are maybe it is time for a new doctor anyway. I hope your child gets better, and you may also need to check into a visit to a ear, nose, and throat specialists. Your child might also need to be checked for allergies. I hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 8

I am wondering if his ear infection is truly gone. I would take him back for a follow-up. Ask the doc to re-check his ears. My niece had recurrent ear infections and it seemed every month, she was sick like your son. Hopefully, he doesnt need tubes, like my niece.

Answer 9

ask your doctor if elderberry extract would be ok, they sell it at the drug store, it's a natural product

I know that works for an adult or older kid, but I don't know about young kids.

Also this site http://www.mercola.com has alot of good info, try looking up colds and see what he says might work.

I know what kills a cold/flu fast for an adult, but I don't know about a kid, there is a site called living ecology, and they have a cold and flu formula, it really works for me, kills the flu in 1 day, but I am an adult.

Answer 10

Take him back to the Dr.