Toddler Cough and Other Symptoms. Do You Think I Need to See Doctor Again?

Updated on December 21, 2011
S.K. asks from Chicago, IL
9 answers

My 20 month old son has a lot going on. It started with pink eye. Treated with eye drops but didn't clear up. In the mean time he developed a cold and cough. Took him to the doctor last week and she put him on antibiotics for pink eye and a ear infection he had. She also mentioned that his chest/lungs seem very congested. I am concerned about RSV(since he was a preemie). I asked her if it could be RSV and she said it could be.She didn't do any tests . He didn't have any wheezing or cracking sound, just congestion and she said he will get better with antibiotics. She asked me to bring him back if he got worse and she might prescribe nebulizer.

It's been a week since he started coughing and it's still not going away. I don't know if it's getting worse or not. He still coughs a lot but not all the time. His doctor told me his risks with RSV is not much now. It's same as any other kid even though he was born premature. But I am still worried. She told me he can continue going to daycare but I kept him home for almost a week until yesterday.

I looked up symtoms of RSV , he doesn't have any other symptoms except cough and cold that's not going away for almost 10 days now.He doesn't have any trouble breathing etc. If the doctor hadn't mentioned about chest congestion , I would have thought it;s a regular cough and not worry about it. Also he still has a little discharge from his eye every morning(day 5 on amoxicillin). I am beginning to wonder if the antibiotics are working or not.

Do you think I need to take him in again now or wait until he finishes his course of antibiotics?

Also with RSv , do you know if cold/cough persists for a week or more before getting wose or does it get worse immediately. I so hope it's not RSV. It's definitely something contagious because my husband was down with the same symtoms last week along with my son and now it's my turn.

What can I do next?

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Although he was a preemie he is past the stage where RSV should be really dangerous for him. Even if it is RSV he should be able to tolerate it and I would just watch closely for any signs of trouble breathing. With his preemie history, however, he could be more prone to developing reactive airways or even asthma and I might take him back in if he keeps coughing to ask about that. I have one kid who was born a month early and has asthma (we have a family history of asthma too) and one kid who had RSV at 4 1/2 months and has a history of reactive airways so feel free to send M. a message with specific questions.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

There are many types of antibiotics.
IF a certain antibiotic does not work... THEN, the Doctor should be trying ANOTHER family, of antibiotics.

I am surprised, the Doc did not do any tests on him.
Nor see if it is Pneumonia or Bronchitis, etc.

Mucus/congestion, can be from 2 sources:
lungs, or
Sinus, post-nasal dripping.
And, it can occur both at the same time.
Post-nasal dripping, can also infect the lungs. And because a young child cannot "spit" out mucus accumulation.
I had a cold once. Then got Pneumonia. My Doc said it was an infection from my continual post-nasal dripping. For example.

Secondary infections can also occur.

Is he having labored breathing?
Did they check his oxygen levels?

Typically, a course of antibiotics does have to be taken... to see if it is working or not.
And take it for the full course. Do not stop midstream.

TELL your Doc, to try another family of antibiotics.
If the current type, is not working.

OR, take him to the ER.... and see what the ER Doctors, say.
BECAUSE, this would be a 2nd, opinion on your son's condition.

Keep in mind, that nebulizers or inhalers, do NOT stop the mucus or congestion, nor does it "cure" the illness. What it does is open up the lungs airways.... so that breathing can be improved.
I have asthma... and this is what it does. Because with Asthma... the airways are constricted or inflamed... hence, a person cannot breathe fully and it impedes the intake of oxygen in the system.

I would take him to the ER.
Your son is young.
Continued lung illnesses, can weaken the lungs.

I personally would not send him to daycare. He is sick. AND I wouldn't want to infect, other kids with an illness.
Contrary to what your Pediatrician, said.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

Pink eye can be viral or bacterial so if the meds are not working it may be viral and will just take time, approximatley 5-7 days. When my family notices signs of a cold coming on I use some type of menthol rub on their chest and feet. Then put a humidifier right in there room. Also i beleive it is Vicks that makes a plug in contraption where you place a menthol pad in it and plug it into an outlet and it releases the scent of Vicks. With all four of these steps a cold has no chance in my house and within the day or next day it is cured. My child had RSV once with neb but recall the details so can't help you there. Hope you see changes soon and he can feel better!

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C.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

If he's not better by Thurs. I would take him back in. Amoxicillin is one of those antibiotics that docs were handing out "right and left" for everything years ago and alot of things are immune to it. It may take another antibiotic to totally clear everything up. My twins were also premie, 27 weeks and our docs told us be careful the first couple of years. They are now 11 yrs. and totally healthy.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

its probably a viral infection. finish the meds and if its not gone or better take him back.

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Take him back in. Dont wait any longer. I have 2 kids with asthma, not to say that your child does, but I have a lot of experience with coughs that don't go away, even with antibiotics. At this point, he probably will need a neb/breathing treatment.

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S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Finish the antibiotics and see how he's doing. If you can't wait, give the doctor a call and see what they say.

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A.M.

answers from Denver on

My daughter had RSV last year and it lasted forever! She wasn't hospitalized or prescribed a neb. But she was congested and coughed for at least 3-4 weeks. Just watch the breathing- so long as you dont see the struggle for breath where their ribs show and so long as they are acting okay and eating and drinking they should be okay. You just have to wait it out and lay low. Don't worry! I know easier said than done but now that he is that old he can fight it off better than a premie.

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R.S.

answers from San Antonio on

My daughter had RSV...it was a very bad cold, so I thought...when we got to the doctor's office she just kinda "wilted"...went limp and was struggling to breathe. Her blood oxygen was 84 and she was admitted straight to the hospital.

She was sick...looked sick, sounded sick...just laid there not moving not very responsive.

Can you call your doctor's nurse tomorrow and ask if he needs to be seem again now or when the antibiotics are finished?

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