Seeking Help

It is normal for toddlers and young children to get 6-12 colds or viral illnesses per year. Most are in the Fall and Winter and it may seem like they are sick nonstop because each illness can last a few weeks. This will happen even more for kids in daycare and those with older siblings who bring home more viruses and germs. You cannot prevent all illnesses, but please beware of some advice given here. Vaccines ARE helpful and through vaccines we have virtually eliminated polio, smallpox, measles, and now chicken pox is exceptionally rare. All of these diseases have the potential to cause permanent harm or death. In unvaccinated children, especially those who tend to gather together and live in the same area due to their parents' philosophies, there have been outbreaks of measles and other illnesses most of us will never see. Other theories on the rise in allergies are antibacterial soap, prevention of exposure by over protective parents, food additives, poor air quality, etc. There is no proof of allergies increasing due to vaccines. I am a physician, parent of a toddler, and I vaccinate my daughter. She has had 2 colds in 14mo even with exposures at her small daycare and playgroup. She got over both with no real problems at all.
My recommendation to you is to be patient, keep your son away from sick children as much as possible, make sure you wash his hands often and if he has a virus, realize it will pass and the only treatment needed is tender love and care, fluids, and rest.

1 mom found this helpful

My son was exactly the same... a friend ended up telling me to check his tonsils... they were the culprit! Ask the doctor to check for you if you're not sure what to look for.

I know how frustrating that is, I went through it too. My daughter is three now and I'm dreading flu and cold season, just around the corner. I'm hoping she will stay relatively healthy this winter. My daughter was literally more sick than well from about November to April the last 2 years. The doctors just keep telling me that my daughter is normal and some kids just get sicker than others. Especially ones that go to a preschool or daycare. It's hard to take that as an answer, but I have no choice. I actually had to quit my job a couple of years ago because I was paying for daycare that she couldn't use and was missing so much work.

Depending on what kind of sicknesses he has, you should have them check his tonsils, but it sounds like your son had the same random illnesses that my daughter had, and they told me removing her tonsils would not help one bit.

I don't have any brilliant answers for you except to say, it will get better. Hang in there and try to prevent illness as best as possible. Keep a clean home, disinfect, give vitamins and Airborne when other people are sick, really what more can you do?

Good luck.

If you are currently giving him vaccinations, stop.
There are a lot of ingredients in vaccines that can cause illness and allergic reactions. These illnesses may be reactions to the shots, or what's in them. Most of the vaccines are worse than the diseases they supposedly prevent. If you want some reputable information, try:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller15.html
http://www.informedchoice.info/index.php
http://www.vaccinesafety.edu/package_inserts.htm

We don't vaccinate our son. Many people who don't vaccinate believe or experience that their children are not as sick as often as vaccinated children. Our son has had a few colds (4-5 at 21 months), but no serious problems. While autism gets all the press, vaccines may be responsible for rises in allergies, asthma, ear infections, and other auto-immune illnesses. As the number of vaccines has risen, so have the numbers of several illnesses and conditions. Cause and effect has not been proven, as there has not been a comprehensive study of vaccinated children versus unvaccinated children. It's certainly worth looking into.
It's a proven fact that the flu shot causes the flu in some people, by the way.

Hi S.,
The poor little guy. Keep in mind that everyone's body has the ability to fight desease given the proper environment. Make sure he's getting his daily vitamins and proper nutrition. I assume your son is in some sort of daycare. Is it clean? Are there other children whom are sick as well? Most likely you cannot avoid the common cold; however, 5 weeks is a long time. I'd examine a little further. Hope he feels better soon.

Good luck,
E.

S., my best advice is to ask your doctor to send you to a specialist. Possibly a "Rheumatologist" as they do specialize in some "immune disorders" (and nope, not talking about HIV). They are lots, and lots of types of immune system disorders that can make people constantly sick. Or ask if there is another specialist your child can see that specializes in immune system problems. Only 5 good days out of 5 weeks to me is a sign something serious is going on. Doesn't seem normal and you are very right to be concerned. I hope you find some answers and your lil' one gets better.

They will be sick for a solid year. I'm not kidding. One thing after another. It is good that he is "getting it out of the way" before he gets to school, where germs are EVERYWHERE. Your older daughter is bringing home all sorts of germs and he is catching them. He will come out of this stronger. I'm not kidding. Just stay in contact with your ped. to make sure that nothing else is happening. Both of my girls went through this. My younger one was sick in her first year of life because of daycare, and then when we moved to a new climate (Hawaii) she did it all over again, because apparently there are "new germs" that thrive here in the hot/wet petrie dish. My little one caught everything that was available to catch when the big one went to school. Now I think they are both done. Sometimes My older one (in school) will come home with a mild cold (just runny nose, not even complaining) and I will get a full-blown cold from her little runny nose, because she gets exposed to all of those sticky kid germs daily and I do not!

Take heart, just keep taking him to the doctor and keep the humidifier going - don't forget Vics Vaporub!

Some kids just have bad immune systems. I was always sick as a little one, but my daughter is healthy as a horse. You may try to promote his immunity (especialy during flu season) with some natural methods. Highlands (the teething tablet people) make a Vitamin C tablet that my girl just loves. I've also been told that a little Flaxseed Oil in their milk everyday can strengthen immunity too. Hope this helps

Oh S. I'm so sorry to hear about your little one being so sick! It's so distressing for the mommy when she can't do anything to really help. I've been in your shoes!!! I am going to try and keep this quick so I don't ramble. My son (who is almost 30 months) was just like that....sick all the time with at least 1-2 ailments a month. I was so upset - the dr said it was normal. All these great "normal" childhood afflictions but it seemed like my poor little sweetie was getting them all! I started doing some research on finding ways to help his overall health and I found something! I found it on the www.askdrsears.com website and since they swear by it I ordered it (after wavering on the idea for about 3 months). My son has been on Juice Plus gummies for almost a year. He thinks they are candy. Because they improved his health (and his food choices) so drastically I actually signed up to sell it - and I'm a HUGE skeptic normally! My "sick kid" has only been sick 3 times since he's been on Juice Plus and when he gets sick he doesn't stay sick long. They don't claim that it will keep you from getting sick but it can help boost your overall health and thus improving the immune system. It's made from 17 fruits/veggies and is all natural. No added ickiness (I'm a nut about only putting good stuff into Josh). I hope if you have time you can check out my site www.heathergreenwood.com or send me any questions you might have. See - I was telling everyone I knew about this stuff anyway - that's why I started selling it! I have deemed myself "A mom on a mission for nutrition" and these gummies have helped my son and my friends children so much - I am on the adult version and I know my family will stay on them the rest of our lives. We are so much healthier.

Thanks and I hope your little one gets some relief soon!
H.

Dear S.,
As a pediatric chiropractor, I see children who have many sicknesses. It can be symptoms of a weak immune system. When the spine is in proper alignment, the brain controls all functions of the body via the spinal cord and spinal nerves that exit each level of the spine, and go to every organ and tissue of the body. When the spine is misaligned, it puts pressure on the nerves and minimizes nerve flow. The brain cannot get the messages to the body and the body gets sick.
Take your baby to your family chiropractor for a check up to see if this is the cause for you sons condition. Chiropractic care has help thousands of kids get healthy.
Dr. C. Demaray
Vacaville

I had this problem with my oldest son, because he was a in daycare for about 5 years. So he was exposed to so many germs! But he is now 10 years old and in the past 5 years has hardly gotten even a cold. His immune system was built up at an early age, but I do remember feeling helpless and it is so hard to see your little one sick. If your son is not im daycare then I don't really have an answer for you. Maybe germs from the park? Better hand washing and a good multi-vitamin. I work for and sell herbalife products and we have a great kids line, nutritional shake full of vitamins and minerals needed to stay healthy and grow, also there is a great multivitamin in dropper form and chewables. I started my other two kids on them at 1 1/2 yrs old and they hardly ever get sick. It is a money back garentee so it might be worth your while to give it a try. Check out my web site.
Sincerely, A.
http://herbal-nutrition.net/members/ash79smith

all my contact information is on that page, feel free to call me to place an order or if you have any questions.

My girls (11 & 8) have not been sick in over 2 years thanks to Isagenix and proper nutrition. Are you supplementing with high quality vitamins and minerals? It is EXTREMELY important. It is well known that to get the proper nutrtion now a days we muct supplement. Isagenix has an amazing kids program. Let me know if you want more info about it.

Barbile
www.HeyYouGetReal.com

hi S.,
If you are open to learning about some natural alternatives that could help your families health, I would be happy to tell you about what I do to keep my little ones and our family healthy!
:)
S.
____@____.com

hi i kind of had the same problems with my daughter when she was around the same age. She had RSV and then when she was over that she would get sick all the time with a cough or a runny nose. The best thing that seemed to work for me is to steam up the bathroon and sit in their with her for about 5-10 min. This helps to clear the air passages. She is five years old now and very healthy. Good luck

If he is coughing a lot each time he gets sick (except the flu) I would have him tested for asthma. It could explain the chest pains, allergies, and maybe even the croupe. Talk to your son's doctor again and tell them that you are worried it could be something else. I know kids get sick a lot since their immune system is still trying to build itself up, but constantly sick doesn't seem to be normal. Best of luck to you.

I am substantially older, but I remember when my younger brother was around 4, 5 or 6... he had a disease every two weeks. FINALLY, they had his tonsils removed and no more problems. I never could figure out if he had run out of diseases or the removal of tonsils did the trick. Just a bit of "history" and the facts that worked.

Good luck. Sorry the little guy is having such a bought.

Dear S.,

Yes, I know, you are trying to be a good Mom and you are. The fact that you took him to the doctor tells you that he is o.k., watch for fever, and know that kids do get sick over and over again. Each one has a different reaction to the environment - One pediatrician told me that it is normal for a baby to have a 'cold' or something like that on and off all through the first two years. Some do, some do not, but the doctors are going on scientific evidence that has been studied for years and years.

Keep on trying to feed him vitamin rich foods and stuff like that. Lots of love, of course, you are doing that. But, I say that because a little tiny bit of extra love and closeness - not for a looong time, but bits of love, often really raise people's spirit.

My husband is almost 82 and he gets depressed and forgets and grouchy, I just give him bits of love and he responds more cheerfully and gets up from his pouting chair and does something he loves to do - paint the fence or work in the yard, then he comes back to rest and he gets some more attention. Happier and contented people are more healthy, now I am not promising anything miraculous, but it does help and the closer and more understanding you are the better you will feel and so will the whole family.

C. N.

Dear S.......I feel for you. Living through the experience of having a child who is often ill is quite wearing.........on you and on him. Your son sounds like a perfect candidate for homeopathic medicine. Homeopaths looks at health/illness quite differently than does Western medicine. We don't see health as merely a lack of symptoms showing up in blood tests, but more wholistically -- taking into account his history, the family history and specifically his pattern of illness and his temperment. Vaccination history and sensitivities to certain foods would also be considered.

Homeopathy, although not well known at this time in the U.S., is quite commonly used all over Europe, India and South America. It is a form of medicine which has been around for over 200 years; it is safe, non-toxic and effective.

There are professional homeopaths in many areas of the country. Your phone book would be a good resource for you. Check under HOMEOPATHY.

To your health,
C. Springer
Certified Homeopath