He's throwing up his milk, not taking the bottle like he normally does, very irritable and hard to calm, he's congested, and he has a very bad cough...does anyone know anymore about this? I've looked it up and read about it but I'm scared for him. I will be taking him to the doctor today but I don't know how to calm my nerves until then. Any opinions/suggestions?
2007-06-05 06:47:30 · 22 answers · asked by x_torn.angel_x 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I didn't mention he was exposed to a kid with it about a week ago....
2007-06-05 06:56:55 · update #1
I heard it can take up to 2 weeks to actually see all the symptoms such as the high fever and difficulty moving.
2007-06-05 06:59:05 · update #2
My brother had meningitis at 3 months old and I know the first sign was a high fever that wouldn't go down with a bath and medicine. It could be bronchitis or pneumonia. My son had bronchitis at 5 months old. He was congested, coughing, and spitting up his formula because the mucus in his chest was preventing the formula from going down. Good luck! Oh and if the doctor tells you it's nothing and you still think something's wrong please be persistant or get a second opinion. It took me going to the doctor 4 days in a row before he was diagnosed!
2007-06-05 06:57:04 · answer #1 · answered by Drew's Mommy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you speak with your son's pediatrician make sure you mention that you suspect possible meningitis. They will want to take contact precautions when you bring your son to the waiting room as meningitis can be highly contagious.
Here are some questions for you:
1 - Is your son running a temperature?
2 - Do you see any signs of a small, pinpoint rash on his chest, neck or torso?
3 - Is he moving his head and neck? Does his agitation increase if you manipulate his head/neck?
4 - Has he been exposed to anyone with possible meningitis?
If your son is presenting with these meningitis symptoms, I would recommend getting him in as early in the day as you can. However, unless his symptoms drastically worsen I would think a trip to the ER is unnecessary.
Typically meningitis doesn't present with a cough, congestion and vomiting, so my bet is on a cold or flu virus.
In the meantime, just try to comfort him the best you can. Spend some quiet time cuddling together, listen to some soft music. You are doing the right thing.
2007-06-05 07:06:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT LISTEN TO THE WELL MEANING BUT MIS INFORMED PEOPLE WHO ARE SCARING YOU. YOUR BABY DOES NOT HAVE MENINGITIS, HE HAS A COLD.
You're doing all the right things, taking him to the doctor is good, you can wait for your appointment, you do not have to call the paramedics or go to the doctor early, he is fine. LIsten to what the doctor tells you, take your baby home and help him through his first cold.
Calm Down, he has a cold, not meningitis! this will not be his last illness by any means, so you have to learn not to freak out over every little thing. I understand, I was the same way with my first. The best you can do is hold him, sing to him and stay calm for him, the doctor will tell you it is just a cold. Saline nose rinses are great for the congestion, they don't like it very much but it really helps with the congestion so they can breathe better and that will help the fussiness.
Good Luck, Don't worry. You will both be fine.
2007-06-05 06:58:04 · answer #3 · answered by Mamalissa 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's good that you are taking him to the doctor, who will be able to assess what's going on.
First off, try to calm down. It is really hard I know - I am a mom of two BTW, and I remember how tough it is. Now for meningitis, the tip-off is pain in the head and neck, and fever (of course sometimes it is something else because pain and fever are common symptoms) - but pain in the neck especially. Now of course your baby cannot tell you if his neck hurts but you can observe his behaviour and whether he seems to be in particular pain when raising or turning his head, for example.
I would also write your observations and questions down, because when you feel scared it is easy to forget stuff, and you will want to ask the doctor all sorts of things. If you forget to ask something, you can call back later.
I wish you the best of luck and you are totally doing the right thing taking him to the doctor today.
(BTW from the symptoms you list, sounds like a bad cold to me - have you taken his temp? if not, you should and tell the doctor what it is)
2007-06-05 06:59:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing this is your first :) We always assume the worst with the first child. It doesn't sound like meningitis, though we had a similar scare with my oldest daughter when she was about 4 months. It turned out to just be a virus. It doesn't sound like meningitis to me, but I'm not a doctor.
I suggest you call the doctors office back and ask to speak to a nurse. Tell them the symptoms and that you're really concerned. If they think it sounds like meningitis, they'll rush you in. If not, you'll be able to relax and wait for the appt later in the day.
Good luck sweetie. Don't let the negative posts get to you. You're a great mom!
2007-06-05 06:58:13 · answer #5 · answered by Magaroni 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Meningitis is a very very scary possibility. But you are probably blowing things out of proportion. It is very easy to fear the worst for the ones we love. Just try to relax, make your baby comfortable, and be patient, not only with him, but yourself. I would put money that it is more likely to be A) teething, B) some minor ailment, like a cold, flu, or stomach cramps C) constipation, D)or some other simply cured ailment. Your baby is gonna be fine. You are a good mother, and there is nothing bad in worrying, but you will not help your child be become sick yourself.
Besides, if your doctor or his aide really thought, after hearing the symptoms that your child was at risk, he or she would have told you to go to the hospital right away.
Its gonna be ok.
2007-06-05 06:54:58 · answer #6 · answered by J K 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Monitor him for the next 24-hours. He could be coming down with some type of sickness. He may just be distressed from teething. Have you tried giving him chew toys that soothe his gums? If a baby gets stressed, it means he'll get diarrhea if the distress continues. Diaper rashes have probably added to his discomfort. If he still has that diarrhea tomorrow, though, then I suggest taking him to a clinic. Even if he isn't sick, they'll teach you how to administer rash cream and how to take care of new teeth. As for now? Try feeding him electrolyte or juices so he doesn't loose any nutrition. The main thing to watch, too, is fluid intake. Keep up with the fluids, because dehydration with babies is hard to deal with. Good luck with your baby :)
2016-05-17 10:16:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My six week old son(at the time) had meningitis. He woke up with a 106 degree fever and couldn't move his head. There was no waiting to go to the doctor we went to the emergency room right away.
I don't think you have to worry if he was that sick you would know.
2007-06-05 06:55:28 · answer #8 · answered by melissa d 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hello i'm sorry to hear about your son.
it sounds like a bad cold , but i wouldnt say it was meningitis. if it were meningitis he would have had a terrible fever and wouldnt be able to open his eyes. he might have a throat infection that is maybe why he is throwing up his milk . if he has had his first set of shots i would worry too much . let us know.
2007-06-05 06:55:09 · answer #9 · answered by jack jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does not mean your baby have meningitis. Baby has also bad cough so may it is respiratory infection. Baby is irritable we must consider of Otitis media, or other infection such as urinary.So you must do BC, urin analysis, sedimentation rate, CRP and other analysis recommend your pediatrician.
2007-06-05 07:06:20 · answer #10 · answered by Ljiljana A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋