Daughter Is Sick

Do NOT give cough "medicines"

Cough medicines suppress the body's only way to CLEAR the LUNGS of fluid. They are useless & harmful. Especially if she is working on bronchitis or pneumonia.

She seems to have some virus. The best thing is plenty of rest, plenty of fluids, supplements including zinc & vitamin C, and antioxidents such as blueberries (or blueberry or pomegranate juice) are very helpful in helping the body fight off illness.

If you are feeling nervous, talk to the pediatrician's help line or take her in.

Hang in there!
P. : )

Micah had the swine flu about 6 weeks ago. This is almost exactly how his symptoms presented, except he also vomited twice the first day. He went through a cycle of low grade fevers with slightly low energy and malaise to feeling, playing and eating normally. This occured for about 5 days, then his fever spiked for about 24 hours with a considerable amount of lethargy, malaise, reduction in appetite. Then, it broke. The cough continued for about 3 to 4 days with a slight runny nose.

I would try to boost her immune system with Vitamin C, keep her comfy when the fever goes up, keep her secluded so that she doesn't pass it on to others, and keep an eye on her symptoms, as if it is H1N1, they could become serious.

Hi C.,

I agree with these ladies to watch her closely. Other than the Swine Flu the Chicken Pox is going around as well and it starts with a low grade fever and a cough. It seems to be a much more virulent strain than usual.

God bless,

M.

Delysum is a great cough medicine, however, only give it at night for sleeping. Hope she feels better fast.

Buckwheat honey is supposed to be even better for taking care of a cough than any prescription medicine out there. Give one tablespoon morning and evening and you can give her another one at lunchtime if necessary. This usually takes care of coughs in our family in a few days. Not sure where you live, but if there is a Food City near you, they have it in the "specialty foods" section (not with the other honeys). Otherwise, you should be able to find it at a health foods store.

Watch her carefully. It might just be a fever virus that alot of kids are picking up from school. Three of mine were sick with it last week. But it could be something else, too. She might need an antibotic.

Does she complain of her head hurting? you should call the doctor....some of the symptoms are that of the H1N1...esp. if the fever is higher than 101.

.

Hi C.,

I'm not sure what you mean by "not herself". I'm assuming you mean she's lacking in energy and is tired. But, if she's difficult to arouse or actually lethargic, take her to the ER.

The best things you can give her are lots and lots of liquids, moist air (vaporizer, showers), and rest. Since she has a good appetite, I would feed her whatever fruits, vegetables, chicken soup, and healthy foods she wants, but avoid dairy products.
Some say that dairy products may increase her mucous production, thereby increasing her cough.

I attended an H1N1 medical lecture a couple of weeks ago. The H1N1 fever can be anything above 99.5 F according to the speaker, an infectious disease physician from Wilmington Health.

Keep a close eye on her.
If over-the-counter cough medicines aren't helping her cough, take her to a doctor. She might have developed bronchitis, pneumonia, or a sinus infection.
If she's throwing up, isn't keeping fluids down, and is reducing her urine output, take her to the doctor or the ER.
If she's breathing more than 25 breaths per minute when she's resting, I would take her to a doctor. If you see her neck muscles or chest muscles moving with her breathing, take her to a doctor or an ER. If the sides of her nose move with her breaths, go to the ER.
If you notice her skin color changing to grey or blue tones, call 911.

Please, put a mask on her when she is at the doctor's office, in the drug store, and in public places. Please, do not send her to school until the doctor says it's OK.

Make sure you and your husband are taking excellent care of yourself by eating and sleeping healthily. She needs healthy parents.

Good luck and keep us posted.

delysum and steam up the bathroom. hope she feels better soon!

I stick with the natural remedies. My daughter gets a spoonful of honey in the morning and one at night when she has a cough. It usually kicks it in 2-3 days tops.

For coughs, I use vick's on my daughter's chest at resting or sleeping time. In the morning I give her hot apple juice...it seems to calm her scratchy throat. I also might give her a spoonful of honey. If the air is dry, I run the humidifier in her room. I have read that vicks on the soles of feet works very well for coughs, but so far just rubbing it on her chest has worked well enough. Lots of liquids and rest and cuddles! I would keep an eye on the fever and keep an ear for that cough to move into the chest.

With so much flu going around I would take her to the dr just to be on the safe side.

Have you contacted her Pediatrician? Not to scare you but with a fever and cough I would definately call just to rule out H1N1.

Good luck