5 year old with runny nose and cough!?

Question

2 weeks ago, my son had a slight fever with runny nose. it only lasted 2 days. I gave him some tylenol cold and he was ok. Since that time, he has had a runny nose and developed a slight cough this week. I have given him dimetapp everytime I see his symptoms come back, (which is once a day). The worst of his runny nose and cough seems to be when he wakes up in the morning, and right after his bath at night. During the day, the runny nose and coughing stops (pretty weird to me)

I dont want to give him anymore cold medicine, because I know it only makes him feel better, not cure the virus. The cold does not seem to bug him, except for his nose dripping. So, is it time I take him to the doctor? (I have taken him before and all they tell me to give him meds to make him feel better) or any other suggestions? Also, in your opinion, would you think he needs the flu shot?

For the first person who responded: I am not seeking medical advice, but opinions from other parents. At one time or another, all parents go through similiar situations with their children. Don't judge people based on their questions, or just respond merely to earn some points.

Answer 1

dr works wonder why are you asking folks that dont know are care your baby health comes before yahoo answer

Answer 2

My son has allergies and asthma and is prone to sinus infections, so that's where I'm coming from.

The reason your son is coughing at night, and not during the day, is probably that there is some drainage that is happening at night while he's laying down. Try getting him propped up to sleep, in a semi-upright position, and see if that helps some.

Run a humidifier, possibly with a vapor solution. Make sure he's getting lots of Vitamin C. Consider giving him Airborne (they have a children's dosage). Give him lots of fluids and foods high in antioxidents. Make sure he's using Kleenex (not his hand) and washing his hands often.

Stop giving him Dimatapp. About two years ago, my youngest son was admitted into the hospital for something close to pneumonia (fluid in his lungs, but no infection -- yet). His doctor stressed to me that it is important to allow them to cough, and that he should ONLY be taking something for the cough if it is keeping him from being able to get the rest or nourishment that he needs. Since it doesn't seem to be bothering him, you need to stop giving him something to mask the symptoms on a regular basis. The longer you do that, the longer it will last.

If he's been coughing for more than about three days, and you've been just giving him dimatapp and there is no improvement, yes, take him to the doctor. It could be a cold, and you could be just told to take him home and do what you've been doing. But you need to have a trained professional look at him to determine if you should keep up what you're doing, or if he needs something more.

You should also be speaking with his doctor about the flu shot. I THINK (but don't know for sure) it is reccommended that kids get it when they're that age, but I also know that in the past, when there have been shortages of the vaccine, only children under a certain age, and adults over a certain age, were allowed to get it. I could be totally off on this, but I don't THINK they're going to give him a flu shot if he already appears to be sick. I know that's the case with other preventative shots.

But seriously, if you feel your son is sick enough to be taking dimatapp regularly, you should realize he's sick enough to go see a doctor to make sure everything is okay. What will it hurt? You might lose an afternoon and a $20 co-pay, but it's worth it if you can talk to his doctor to make sure everything is okay.

By the way, he may have a slight case of the sniffles here, but if you keep giving him dimatapp as soon as you see his symptoms return, you could very well be masking symptoms of the flu as well, without even knowing it.

Also, like pretty much any other OTC meds, extended usage can lead to the body building up an immunity to it, so that it is virtually useless. At some point in the future, your son could have something worse than the sniffles and really could benefit from that medicine, and you are going to be kicking yourself when you realize you wasted its usefulness over a little runny nose and a night-time cough. Trust me, I'm saying that from personal experience.

Answer 3

kids just seem to pick up a lot of bugs and viruses. Having hasd three chui;dren the DRs normally just say it is a virus and give nothing for it. This is the best thing to do as having a runny nose is the bodies way of getting rid of the germs that are causing the cough.

having a cough late and night and early in the morning is common as these are the cooler parts of the day and this is the time for some reason that if you have cough it will seem worse.

if my children are sick with a cold I will give them some cough mixture at night just to help them sleep if they are not sleeping very weill how ever most Drs will advise against this as children need to build up an immunity to certain germs.

The best time to give the flu shot is just before winter but it is really up to you. if you are worried you should seek medical help.

hope this helps

Answer 4

Kids this time of year always seem to be running at the nose. I wouldn't worry about it too much. The coughing could just be because he isn't really good at blowing his nose and all those fluids are draining into his throat. If the cough doesn't seem to be "barky" that is probably all it is. A barking cough originates in the lungs and is a sign of cold/infection in the lungs.

Get him checked out for allergies, and get the flu shot if it makes you feel better, but he's probably just fine.

Answer 5

I would always give him the Flu shot just in case but it sounds like it might be allergies. I just recently found out that my son has allergies (and he's only 4). I would take him to the Dr so he could make a better assesment.

Answer 6

that over the counter stuff u must take caution there but when my step son was about that age he had the same thing and it was suggested to me to give him a spoom of honey on a regular bases it stop the cough and it stop his running nose and to top that it don't have all those chemicals in it try it it might work and he will like it happy paranting

Answer 7

If he isn't running a fever anymore, it's just a cold. Give him lots of fluids, no dairy products [it builds up the mucus in his cough] and make sure he's getting lots of vitamin C and rest.

Answer 8

hmmm...it may be him adjusting to the new weather b/c of winter coming.. i work at a doctor's office and i see that a lot but i would get him a flu shot if it is possible.. also, if it keeps going take him to the doctor's office again... got a Question.. e-mail me
[e-mail]