Is This Going Around?

Unfortunately with the push for antibiotics, more and more infections are becoming immune to the drugs. A lot of doctors now WANT you to do a "wait and see" approach with colds. Common colds can last 2-3 weeks, coughs even longer. My 8 year old has had a lingering cold for the past few weeks, too, though since he doesn't appear to have any infection, fever, or pain, I'm just letting it run it's course. I only give him some medicine at night to help clear him up so he sleeps better.

Try a humidifier in her room. By all means, take her to an ENT. I have had a lifetime of sinus issues, and I can tell you how miserable I am when I'm not being treated. I've developed polyps and have had multiple surgeries to remove them, all from infections that have progressed and gotten worse. An ENT will take a nasal swab (something your ped never will do) and the lab will take the culture and find exactly what strain, be it viral or bacterial she has,and the doctor can then give you the correct antibiotic to treat her. If the culture comes back clean, then it's an allergy, and the ENT can then refer you to an allergist for her. Though I have to warn you, the testing I went through was HORRIBLE. I had about 20 TB-type shots all down my inner arm at the same time. I developed bad rashes to things I've never been allergic to 6 months following the testing, like suddenly my lotion that I've used for years made me break out. Soap, shampoo, you name it. It's been 2 years, since my allergy testing and now I'm fine. Mind you, I don't know how they test children's allergies. I've never had my son tested, but don't be surprised if it appears your daughter is suddenly allergic to every little thing. She'll probably need to spend several months on Claritin afterwards. But at least you'll know what's going on and can treat it more effectively. p.s. The allergist will also test for asthma, when you go. At least, I was tested my first vist, and hmm.. for the first time in my life, I was told I have mild asthma. Good luck!

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I would try an ENT..they definitely have more knowledge when it comes to ear infections and what causes them.

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My now 5 year old son went through an obscene amount of ear infections, antibiotics, and upper respiratories as well...we finally had enough and did go to the ENT, Dr. Andrews in Tampa...affiliated with All Children's (of whom we lovingly refer to as Dr. Ears)...if you need #, let me know...

They were great. After 3 surgeries, which yes, it is extremely scary sending your (at that time) 2 year old under. He no longer has the issues. He required tubes, and removal of adnoids.

We, however did not realize just how bad his hearing was also...it has improved quite a bit, but we have accepted the fact that our son is hearing impaired. What do you do?

I would definately take her.

~K.

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You can also request to have her immune system tested through blood work. There could be some deficiencies that may be causing the problem.

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Hey R., its J.! I can't believe she is still sick with that! or should I say I can believe it!! We have all had this, 4 year old had "croup cough" a week later took her back "sinus infection" 10 days antibiotic - another week & 1/2 she is 90% better ~ during that time I was diagnosed with 2 ear infections/sinus infection 10 days antibiotic, cough meds at night, still only 90% better, I have congestion and a cough that I never had in my life, my sister had an ear and sinus infection, same course as me plus flonase and magic mouthwash (benadryl, maalox and another med) she still has a cough - my honey refused to go and is still complaining of aches, coughing......I don't know what it is but there is something bad going around and if you get it, it sticks. My oldest daughter had a baby last week and her pediatrician told her not to take the baby anywhere in public for 8 weeks. Her baby is very healthy, they have had no problems. I don't remember being told that with my baby, I could be wrong. It made me think it was because they know there is a very bad cold going around.
We have been pumpin up the juices, OJ, Cran/Pom, Apple hope its gone 100% soon!
Good Luck
J.

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Yes, my grandchildren have all been through it as well as adults. sometimes it goes in about 6 weeks and some adults have battled it for 3 months. Good luck!

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My son has multiple allergies. Blood test confirmed food (to soy,milk, egg,soy,wheat,tree nuts,peanuts) and he takes singulair to seasonal allergies too. He does have more symptoms right now with the pollen tree weed count. the pollen weed count may be high right now. He went to an allergist because he had the symptoms you describe but worse---he had severe ecezma. That was a long time ago. He is three now and that all started when he was 15 months old! But anyway, if the symptoms persist and you have allergies--(that's a big red flag) you may seek the advice of an allergist.

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Stop and look at your home. Do you have fans that you run? How cold do you keep your air? How often is your air filter changed. How often do you dust? With a small child in the home you shouldn't be running any fans. You should keep your air no cooler than 79 as hot as it is out. Also, do you have pets? Is she around them? Keep track of what she is eating. Sometimes food can cause these systems. Especially orange colored food and the yellow dye that is put in foods. I would not consider allergy tests at this time. The meds they give out are a lot worse then the allergies in most cases. Allegra can cause serious leg cramping and stomach problems. Sinus drainage can cause ear infections. Maybe you should consider another doctor if you are not happy with your doctor trying different meds. If I am not happy with a doctor I switch until I find one I am happy with. Just because you have allergies doesn't mean she does. A lot of children go through the sinus infections and ear infections while young. They are exposed to a lot of new and different things every day. Most kids do out grow their allergies if they have them. Good Luck!

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living in Fl my son has a respitory infection every 3 months. I would ask the doc about putting her on claritan that is what they did for my nephew

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Hey R.:

I would do both, I would go to an ENT and get her tested for allergies. My son went through this and he constantly had ear and nasal infections. It got so bad he had to have his nasal cavities scraped out because of all the scare tissue from all the infections, he also got his adenoids out and had tube put in his ear twice. We got him tested for allergies when he was 2 years old but all they can do is a blood test which is not the most accurate. I then went and got him tested for allergies last year when he was 4 and we found out he is allergic to a lot of things in the house. We went to an allergist for this and ever since he has not had any runny noses or ear infections for awhile. I have a great ENT his web site is http://www.pediatric-ent.com/index.html his name is Dr. Peter Orobello. It is a great place and I travel a long way to go to him. I live in Davenport, FL and he is located in the Tampa area. He is worth the travel time, we went to another ENT before him and it was a nightmare. They did not specialize in children and there lies the difference. They know how children will react and understand that having you wait in a room with very sharp instruments for an hour with a very active 2 year is not good idea and that was the light side to the story. Good luck!!!!

K. P

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My daughter has bad allergies and asthma and when they flair up it drains down the back of her throat and she gets a cough. It is almost like cold like systoms minus the fever. We went through the same thing with the antibiotics and this and that. I hated it. Felt like they were using her as a guinea pig. I finally spoke to my ped about allergies and they tried her on a prescribed medication called Allerist D it worked no problems, I have since stopped using it and she uses Clartin D for children and it works the same and is less expensive and can be purchased over the counter. If you know she does not have allergic reaction to allergy medications I would try it. If you don't know I would talk to your ped. first. Then you can go from there, I notices with in 24 hrs that my daughters cough was gone.

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