Kids fall ill off and on, sometimes a slight cold and congestion, sometimes low grade fever with a sore throat, tummy aches, etc… Most often we give them some OTC medication and some TLC and they get better.
But when do you think we should schedule a doctor’s visit? What are some symptoms we should look out for that indicate a more serious problem?
Here’s some from my experience:
Having a fever for more than 3 days, congestion, thick phlegm, a productive cough. You’ve tried the humidifier and some Tylenol and the symptoms don’t subside, it just may be an infection that needs antibiotics.
Re: When is it time to take your kid to the doctor's?
The general rule that the docs follow these days is that a fever over 102 degrees may require antibiotics. They have been much more vigilant about prescribing antibiotics with the advent of "super-bugs". So fever over 102. Also the color of the mucous. Clear, yellow and white are ok...green needs a visit. Viruses can last as long as 12 days!!! With no requirement for antibiotics!! Ear pain also needs a visit.
Something I've sadly needed to keep an eye on with eldest son...with all of his eating issues, he has much trouble keeping anything down when he is sick. He cant bring up phlegm even if the cough is productive, he ends up puking so he used to get dehydrated and need IV rehydration. Even without puking, a child with a lasting fever needs to drink alot of fluid to maintain hydration...so keep an eye for dark urine, general weakness or listlessness and no tears when they cry. Once his docs got to know him, they prescribed Fenergan suppositories for him. This prevents vomiting and was a real godsend for him and prevented a number of trips to the ER for IV rehydration.
Somthing I've not yet tried - zicam for kids. It supposedly cuts the length of viruses in half or better. I used the adult one for myself and I have to say it really worked. Mashallah, its been a really good winter for us so far but if they do come down with something, I'll def give that a try. Meantime, I give honey, vitamins, Orange juice and keep fingers crossed!
Re: When is it time to take your kid to the doctor's?
Me and my BIIIIIIIIGGG mouth!!! About 45 minutes after I posted my message, the school nurse called. Middle son was sent to her office not feeling well, she took his temp and its 102.8!! Poor little guy. We go to doc first thing in the am unless he gets worse in the meantime.
Zicam is an over-the-counter remedy (herbal and vitamin mostly) that supposedly cuts the time of virus infection.
With my kids I find it really depends on their behavior. My middle daughter runs very very high fevers when she has a virus (occasionally almost 106*), but was rarely seriously ill. My youngest runs lower fevers. Green or blood streaked phlegm is a definite sign of something serious. I watch for how much energy they have. Sometimes they can have a high fever and cough but are still active, and it usually turns out to be nothing serious.
My oldest recently had mono, and the only real symptom he had was just no energy and a sore throat. I always have a sore throat that lasts more than two days swabbed for strep, because the complications of strep are so serious.
Appetite is also not a big deal, but drinking liquids is. Kids can easily become dehydrated when they are sick, especially the little ones. They should be peeing at least 3-4 times a day when they are sick.
If you have one with asthma or other long-term illness just take him to the doctor to be on the safe side, it's not worth waiting and taking the trip to the ER at 2:00 in the morning. (made this mistake more than a few times)
Me and my BIIIIIIIIGGG mouth!!! About 45 minutes after I posted my message, the school nurse called. Middle son was sent to her office not feeling well, she took his temp and its 102.8!! Poor little guy. We go to doc first thing in the am unless he gets worse in the meantime.
Zicam is an over-the-counter remedy (herbal and vitamin mostly) that supposedly cuts the time of virus infection.
I hope he feels better soon.... i picked my son up yesterday morning... I told him he didn't look sick enough to stay home, so the school calls about an hour later to tell me he vomited - yuck!
