Should I take Wil in?

mysweetpeasWil&Wes wrote: He's had a cough for a couple days now and a stuffy nose, but nothing drastic. He coughs maybe once every couple hours, but it's pretty raspy. He just sounds like he has some flem backed up. His nose isn't running. It doesn't seem to bother him much either...he's been playing and eating as usual.

But this morning we went in the basement to play for awhile and around 10am, he came over to me on the couch and put his head down on my lap. So I took him to his room, rocked him for a bit and put him in his crib...and he's out! He typically will take an afternoon nap, so he's obviously not feeling good to go down this early! He woke up pretty late too.

So I'm just not sure if I should just see if the cold gets worse by tomorrow or take him in now. He doesn't have a fever, he's just flemmy. I know it's better to be safe than sorry, but it's a drag to go in, pay a $20 copay, and have the doc tell me, oh it's just a chest cold and take some Motrin. Maybe I'll wait to see if he is worse when he wakes up.

Just wondering if some throat thing is going around? What are the signs of phneumonia (sp?).

amynicole21 replied: I probably wouldn't take him in unless he is having trouble breathing or gets a fever. That's just me, though. I sure hope he feels better soon~

ediep replied: Jason has the same thing. He had 1 day of a low fever last week, now thats gone and he has a cough. Its so annoying because no med really works and he wakes up during the night because of the phlegmy cough...he is so tired.

anyay, I did take him to the doc and he said its a sore throat and if his fever doesn't go away in a few days call or come back in.

PrairieMom replied: Pneumonia generally comes with a fever, shortness of breath, and a really juicy cough.
I usually wait until at least 10 days before I take the boy in. It takes a week to 10 days for something viral to pass. Anything after that may need antibiotics.

I would wait a little longer. Save your copay, and don't expose him to germy waiting rooms until you really have to! I hope he feels better soon!

5littleladies replied: I would wait. It's probably just a bad cold. I'm hoping that is all Brianna has.

Signs of pneumonia are fever, labored breathing, bad cough, etc. Bri had pneumonia a few weeks ago and I did lots of reading about it and from what you said about Wil I'm guessing he doesn't have it. Just keep an eye on him and if you think he is getting worse go ahead and call the dr., but for the meantime just have him rest and drink lots of fluids!

I hope he's feeling better soon!

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: I would definately wait and see how he's acting. Being sleepy when sick isn't really reason for concern it's more when they are completely lethargic or you can't get them to really 'wake up'
I have taken the kids in so many times (many co-pay's ) for them to say it's a cold, use a humidafier and wait it out. I would probaly just give lots of extra hugs and maybe put some Eucalyptus in his humidafier (and I have sme if you need it)

moped replied: I wouldn't take him in just yet, he likely has a cold and it will have to run its course - sounds like he just wants a bit of rest and that is jsut what he needs!!!!! Hope he feels better soon.............

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I am super cautious with Logan because of his recent heart surgery, but I waited a week with this cold he has now before I took him in. He didn't have a fever and the ped said his lung sounds were clear. Most of the phlegmmy sound was at the back of his throat. He's getting better now. I agree with PrairieMom save your copay. Logan slept more with his cold too. Hugs to Wil and you Rae.

3_call_me_mama replied: I would give teh liquids to himm full force, adn wait it out a day or two. but i personally wouldn't go much longer. Twice last year I Kathleen had similar symptoms and I waited 4-5 days to bring her in and she ended up with Bronchitis and on a nebulizer (SP) . So from my experience I bring them in after 3 days (call teh morning of the 2nd day to see what's going around.. our nurses are really good about tellign us what peopel have been in for as far as colds or flus going around!)

jcc64 replied: I don't worry unless/until there's a significant fever for a prolonged period of time, or the child is just acting very sick- beyond the usual cold related stuff. If it makes you feel any better, my ped told me that kids as young as Wil don't typically get strep throat, for some reason. So, unless he gets a decent fever, I would chalk it up to just a yucky cold for the time being.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Oh good! I thought you all would think I'm a bad mom for not wanting to take him in right away. I'm just so tired of paying so much for only five min of the ped's time and to have him tell me what I already know. I'll definitely keep my eye on him, but sounds like just a minor cold for now. Hopefully it will pass before all the festivities coming up!

Jeanne, my ped said the same thing, that babies don't get strep throat. So I'm glad I don't have to worry about that one! I remember all the strep cultures I got as a teenager, ick!

Jen, hope Brianna feels better soon!

Lisa, we have some eucalyptus oil, so thanks for the offer and the tip! And thanks everyone else! I'll let you know how he is by tomorrow or so!

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: Have you tried any ifant Tylenol cold?? Mackenzie has had a stuffy nose and runny nose for a few days (no cough) so I called the doc to see if I could give her the Tylenol Cold and they said as long as she meets the weight requirement which is 24 pounds. It seems to be working because her nose isn't as stuffy and she seems to be in a better mood. They have all different types for different symptoms. Maybe go to the tylenol sight and then call the doc and see if it is o.k. to give it to him.

coasterqueen replied: I called my doc yesterday on this very thing for Megan. He said as long as she doesn't have a fever or isn't wheezing (different than raspy cough) then there is nothing you can do but ride it out, give them lots of fluids, and use a humidifier. I noticed a huge improvement in Megan in just one day of doing the fluids and humidifer.

coasterqueen replied:
Just be careful not to give them any of the meds with antihistamines in it unless the child has a previous history of allergies.

My ped is TOTALLY strict on this about me not giving out otc meds with the antihistamine in it and if they are under 12 months don't give out cough supressant type drugs as well.

A&A'smommy replied: Alyssa has had the same thing for a little over two weeks I personally would wait to and if he gets worse fever, trouble breathing, green snot (yuck I know) or anything that could be sign that he is REALLY sick then I would take him but otherwise I would just let him fight it off there really isn't MUCH they can do for a cold I hope he feels better soon

A&A'smommy replied:
awwwww girl we know your not a bad mom I hope his cold is gone before christmas!!