Hi Moms - we're playing a little germ tennis at my house. I had a head cold with a caugh that went away, but now my almost 3 year old son has it. Runny nose like crazy and coughing. He's not pulling at his ears, and no green in the runny nose, the coughing sounds a little wet, but his post nasal drip has been awful. I hate to run to the doc for every little thing, but I don't want to miss something if the cough is a "go to the doc" thing.
Is there a "go to the doc when..." for coughs? Thanks!
UPDATE - There may be a little green in the runny nose this morning (sigh) - I may have just answered my question - but still appreciate input re the cough!
Talked to the nurse and we have an appointment for 11 today. Green means "go" LOL. At lease we'll be able to get rid of the sinus infection. Thanks, Moms!
I use the nurse line whenever I am in doubt. They are very helpful about telling you what symptoms to look for. I don't take DS to the ped unless he has trouble breathing, is getting better and then spikes a fever, or has symptoms that persist beyond 10 days.
If he is having trouble breathing, runs a fever (temp over 100.4), seems very lethargic, or the cough is sticking around for more than a week I would probably take him in. They can at least make sure there is no ear or sinus infection going on. Sometimes kids won't even let you know when they do have one! My 3 year old just had an ear infection in both ears and never said a thing about pain--she just happens to go to the doc for a well visit when they saw them =)
Why don't you call the pediatrician's office, ask to speak with a nurse, tell them the symptoms and see what they recommend?
The doctor, even though he makes money off the office visit, really doesn't want to see a kid with a standard cold, but if the symptoms are enough to signify something else that may be going around (especially the ear pulling), they may want to bring you in.
We've been going through the same thing in our house. Just a bit of info, if no one else has brought it up. A cough in children can often be a symptom of a sinus infection. We just went through this with our 5 year old and he was a little stuffy with a cough that wouldn't go away. I took him in and he had a pretty bad sinus infection. They told us that often with little ones the only symptom of a sinus infection is the cough! Also, with my older one, if his breath smells bad I take him in b/c it means he either has a sinus or ear infection. Good luck!
