UPDATED - Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

My 27 month old DS has the worst cold he's ever had. He's not one to get sick and this cold (that he got from me ) has been serious.

My main concern in his congestion. He has a lot of chest congestion. I can hear it when he coughs. I'm wondering if I should take him to the ped.

Will the ped prescribe anything for the chest congestion?

If the ped won't, then I'm leaning towards not taking him since we'll just be treating the symptoms (fever, runny nose, cough) ourselves with tylenol, humidifier, vicks, etc. I don't think he has an ear infection or strep.

WWYD?

Update: Decided the call the ped for an apptmt. I figured $20 (copay) is small price to pay for peace of mind. Hey, I took him in once bc he was touching his head only to later discover it wasn't his ear but a mosquito bite

Anyway, DH stayed home and we almost cancelled the apptmt but again, decided to go in. Ped said we were lucky bc he had the beginnings of an ear infection in BOTH ears 1st ear infection EVER. Ped commented we would have been there tomorrow anyway bc the ear infections would have been raging.

So, all in all I am soooo very glad that we took him in. He's still down and barely eating but at least now I know he won't get much worse since he's on antibiotics.

Message edited 1/9/2012 8:59:27 PM.

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

Can you call the ped and ask for suggestions? I called mine and she suggested triaminic, which normally they don't recommend for 2 YO, but she gave me the right dosage and it seemed to help.

I don't think you'd get a prescription for a cold, so probably calling would be as good as going in.

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

DD is 10 mos and had such a bad cold, with horrible chest congestion. I debated taking her to dr for 3 days. She seemed fine, no fever, just a real deep cough and nose running everywhere. I was shocked that the cough is now gone. It took a good 7-10 days but shes fine.

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

DS has been congested for just over 2 weeks now. No fever though (well, nothing over 101)

I brought him to the Dr Friday because I wanted to make sure his cough wasn't in his chest. The Dr said it wasn't and for now let's wait it out because he has no other symptoms of anything. He has a 15 month well visit Friday and if he is still congested then she will tell me what to give him.

If you are dealing with an ongoing fever, or you think its in his chest I would bring him. It could be a sinus infection or bronchitis.

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

I always say if your not sure then go. Better to be safe
DS is 6 months and has a bad cold. The Ped prescribed something for the nebulizar. I told him we have one from my older DS. Been using it 3 times a day and it's been helping.
Worst is at night when he wakes up coughing. Since using the nebulizar I've noticed a big improvement

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

I second calling it in first. If they say he has to come in, then even then I may hold off. Mother knows best. But if its heavy congestion and you can hear the fluid in this lungs just breathing then I’d take him in. If its keeping him awake and honey isn’t helping to soothe the cough, I’d take him in.

Basically if his suffering is effecting his overall health, I’d take him in, but if he’s just miserable but otherwise Ok, then I’d self-treat as much as I could. AJ has been on Benadryl since she was 1. It helps to dry up that cough. Honey to soothe the throat, baby vicks on the chest to keep her clear as much as I can, lots of fluids and a cool air humidifier and elevation as necessary. And although I KNOW its against all the social norms of LIF I would let her sleep with me so I could be there if she woke up coughing.

But if she’s feverish – She goes in. If she’s lethargic – She goes in. If I can hear the fluid in her lungs just breathing normally – She goes in.

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

DS is almost 4. He was fighting this cold/cough for almost 2 weeks.

Finally taught him how to blow his nose (and it wasn't pretty). Brought him to the doc and they gave him an Rx. 6 days later, not any better. Bring him back, new Rx.

So, I'd bring him.

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

If you can hear it in the chest it may require an antibioctics or nebulizer treatment.

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

i wouldnt mess around with that. esp if you can hear it coming from the chest .

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

DS just had the worst cold he ever had.

He ended up developing croup. Thank goodness we took him to our ped.

If it's worse then ever... it's worth a visit. At 27 months, you should have insight to what makes a cold really bad... go with your gut. Worst case scenario: you lose some time & a copay.

Re: Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

DD has the same type of cough. I called the ped and they said no meds, just humidifier, lots of fluids etc. However, my niece just had croup and my sister said it started as the same type of cough. I'm giving it another day or two then I'm taking her in.

Re: UPDATED - Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

bumping for update

Re: UPDATED - Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

glad you took him.
hope hes feeling well soon.

Re: UPDATED - Heavy congestion in a toddler - ped visit??

Glad he's going to be on the road to recovery !!

Good think you took him in, at least he wasn't in too much pain yet !!