I'm new to this! Natalie had her first illness less than 2 weeks ago. She was on an antibiotic for 10 days, that ended about 7 days ago. When I did take her in, completely unknown to me, she actually had an ear infection.

This morning she woke up totally stopped up (yellow)and has a light cough this afternoon. Although I didn't check it, I think she might have had a touch of a fever when she woke up from her nap.

I guess having an ill child for the first time is making me question when you see a doc? 2 weeks ago I called in with her symptoms and although they weren't clear on that question, I ended up taking her in. At that time she had run a fever for 2 days with lots of yellow snot. It seems like she shouldn't be sick again already!
I'm not thinking of taking her to the doc right now, since this just started this morning, but in general how do you decide/know about going to the doc? ARe there any "rules"??

By Luvn29 on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 04:59 pm:

Ugh. I don't think this ever gets easier! My kids are 6 and 9 and I still always wonder do I or don't I? Should I or not? Unless of course, it is blatently obvious and no one would question it.

Like with Ashton and his reaction to the new tummy med he's on.

It's just one of those things that you never have a straight forward answer to most of the time. You have to take each experience individually and go from there. Now some parents will take their's each and every time they have a sniffle. And some will take their's as soon as temperature reaches x.x degrees. I don't have any of those things. To me, I go by how mine act. My kids don't run temps very often. And they don't often get "typical" symptoms. So I have to go by how my child is acting. To me, if my daughter is staying in bed all day and is not trying to run around, I start to worry. If my son isn't talking much, that's when I worry about him. If either one is running a temp of 102.4, but they are still playing or talking, I'm not too concerned. But if they are listless and running a temp of 100.2, I'm worried. Because something's not right.

To me, this is one of the hardest parts of being a parent, not being too overreactive, but not worrying too little, either. Trying to find that nice "in between".

Just always listen to that mother's instinct. You have it and it's there for a reason. I have found that out the hard way and I have learned to never ever ignore it. That mommy radar will lead you in the right direction!

By Tayjar on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 05:22 pm:

My rule of thumb was if the snot was anything but clear, I took them in. With my kids, yellow snot usually meant an ear infection or a sinus infection.

Is she teething? My DS would always get ear infections when he teethed. Ear infections are very tough to treat. It sometimes takes more than one round of meds to treat them. I always went back and had the ear checked out once the treatments were done.

Follow those mommy instincts. The rules are different for each kid.

By Andi on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 05:45 pm:

Taylor has had so many ear infections and Dylan ZERO (knock on wood)! With Taylor I just watch her and see how she is acting. She has a green nose right now and a cough but I will only take her in if it is green for 4-5 days and is getting worse or if she has a fever.
I agree to always listen to that mother's instinct, don't second guess yourself and do what you feel is right.

Hope she starts to feel better soon!!!

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 05:45 pm:

I would be inclined to take her in, but then again, Sarah had a lot of ear infections.

Now that my kids are older, I don't run in as quick and it seemed with Sarah, in the last few years, that I would take her in and then she started getting better. So, if I would have waited one more day, I would have been fine. She had a cough about a month ago, that ended up resolving on its own. Of course, she is 16 now, too, and would be able to tell me how she is feeling.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 05:57 pm:

Definitely follow those mommy instincts. The fact that you're questioning the need for a doctor visit is a red flag in itself. Does the child have a fever? Is he/she eating, sleeping and toileting as usual? My kids are just not themselves when they're sick. If they don't show signs of improvement within a day or two or I just *feel* something is not right, I'll call our pediatrician.

By Vicki on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 06:43 pm:

When in doubt, call the dr's office. They usually have someone that can talk with you and you can tell them what is going on and they will tell you if they should be seen or not. My guess, the antibiotic didn't work all they way and the infection is back. If she has been off of it for 7 days and is already having yellow drainage, something is up. The antibiotic stays in your system for a couple of days after you stop taking it. I am guessing that within the past few days, the infection is back. Likely didn't clear up all the way the first time. My ped always had us come back in for a quick re-check of ears after an infection to make sure it was all cleared up. I would say about 40% of the time it wasn't and she got another round of meds. We went through lots in ear infections and ended up with tubes a 11 months old!!

By Reds9298 on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 07:10 pm:

Thanks A LOT to everyone!!! I really appreciate your words of wisdom. She's running about 2 degree temp this evening, but running around like a crazy woman. Her little cheeks get beet red when she's got the slightest bit of fever, poor thing. She's acting like her normal self, but the nose is yellow and very clogged up. I don't *think* it's her teeth, but I've had trouble getting a good look in there. She has one molar still left to come in.

I didn't realize ear infections were so hard to get rid of. They never told me to come back for a re-check, which sounds like a really good idea. I think I'll see how she does tomorrow (I'm expecting more of the same though)and then give the doc's office a call.

You guys are the best!!!

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 09:22 am:

Little kids get can sick alot and be sick for up to 3 weeks at a time. Some kids can get up to 10 viruses a yr (Thank god mine havent).If they seem to be getting better and then get worse sometimes its a secondary infection which usually requires a check-up.Always watch for a rash after an illness that doesnt go white when you touch it.It can be dangerous.My DD got ITP after a cold and being on an antibiotic.She developed a rash that concerned me and I took her to ER.Thank god I went with my instict cause her platelet count was so low we almost lost her due to hemmorage.She needed a transfusion to help boost her count and it was the scariest time of my life.Shes fine today with no problems but it all started with just a common cold.ALWAYS go with youre gut.

By Imamommyx4 on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 05:58 pm:

My rule of thumb, follow YOUR gut. I would rather take my kid in and have everybody think that I'm a worrisome mother than sit at home with a sick baby that needs medical attention.

Short story: when dd was 15 months old, I picked her up from my friend's house who was also my babysitter. DD threw up in the van on the way home. And threw up 15 more times after we got home over the next 3 hours with me giving her Phenergan suppositories. My girlfriend said she'd been great all day and played well. No problems at all. Dh was out of town and I got scared. I am a pharmacist, too. But I took her to the ER. She never threw up again after I got to the ER! We sat there for 4 hours (it was MN when we left) and she was able to finally keep a little popsicle down. When we were finally discharged the ER doctor hugged me as we were leaving and reassured me that I'd done the right thing. She was getting close to dehydration and if she'd kept throwing up she'd been in trouble quickly. I felt sort of silly taking her to the ER but that dr made me feel so much better.

When it comes to my babies, better safe than sorry. And even sometimes, you think it's just congestion or it's just a little something and then it can go bad quickly. Another time she was a little congested and a little fussy, no fever. I took her in after a few days and she had a double ear infection and bronchitis. I felt like such a horrible mother.

By Tink on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 12:46 am:

Definitely go in when you think you should, regardless of the "data" that may not back you up. My ds had a cold and cough when he was 3yo. He was a little sleepy, had a slight temp (right at 100 degrees) and was pale. I couldn't stop checking on him one night and finally called my mom to stay with the girls while DH and I took him to the ER. They nearly sent us home since he seemed to be fine but at the last minute, the doctor ordered a chest x-ray, just to be on the safe side. Seth had double pneumonia and was kept in the hospital for seven days.

I'd rather take in a not-sick-enough kid than make the mistake in keeping him or her home. Like everything else in mommy-hood, each child is different and you've got to go with your gut.

By Kittycat_26 on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 07:45 am:

A good pediatrician would never make you feel "silly" for bringing a child in to be seen. They (just like you) would much rather see a child who really isn't all that sick then one that waited too long to be seen.

By Kaye on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 08:17 am:

For me it depends on the kid. My middle kid stays sick, he has that asthma cough and let him slide. But we also medicate at home, register his peak flows, and give breathing treatments. If I can't get his numbers to improve in 2-3 days I take him in. If his numbers are very low we go to the ER. We have only had to go to the ER twice.

With my oldest she doesn't complain ever, if she does I take her in.

The youngest I take him in more frquently because he doesn't ever seem to notice pain and things get bad quick. Like he ruptured an ear drum and I had no idea he was sick.

My general rule of thumb, if I think to myself should I take them in...then I do. I have insurance, it doesn't cost too much and the doc gets paid, it takes time, but everyone is compensated for their time.

By Vicki on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 08:18 am:

How is she doing? Did you have to take her back or is she on the mend??

By Lauram on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 09:18 am:

I'm an err on the side of caution kind of a gal. Unfortunately, we learned that the hard way. I was "embarrased" to call in the middle of the night when my kids were born. They ended up being REALLY sick. (I did call by the way but was given misinformation and then didn't trust my gut to call back). My oldest son has permanent brain damage from that. It happened SOOOO fast. He was hospitalized at four days old and the brain damage occurred the night before (I had taken him in to the pediatrician that morning). My youngest son had the same issue, but I took him in. Luckily, the pediatrician was really aggressive and got him hospitalized that evening (three days old). He still may have some issues down the road- we're still waiting. ALso, both my kids have asthma. If you don't act fast, they can end up in the hospital as well.

I know my situation at their births was very rare, but I point it out to say there is nothing like a mommy gut. Parents call ALL THE TIME. The pediatricians are used to that. I am so happy now when I hear, "He's fine." I'd much rather here that than, "Oh my GOD! WHy didn't you come in sooner????" Little ones get sick so quickly.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 08:04 pm:

I'm not one to take my kids to the doctor for throwing up. With Emily, in 2004, though, it kept happening. She had had 5 episodes or so, over a period of 10 months. Finally, at the end of the year, we went to the doctor and confirmed what I already thought it was - appendicitis. I keep thinking I should have taken her in the first time, since she had a fever that day, too. It's all good now, but the poor kid had a horrible 10 months to endure. The throwing-up episodes, only would last about a day, and then be done, though. So, I guess it was hard to know. We're probably lucky she didn't rupture!

By Reds9298 on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 08:26 pm:

Thanks for all of the advice ladies!
Vicki - Thanks for asking! She is sooooo stopped up, has a cough, no fever, and digs at the ear sometimes. For the most part she's acting normal but not eating. I called this afternoon and they said I should bring her in. They think it's a recurrent ear infection, too, just like all of you said!!

We have an appt.tomorrow at 11am.

By Vicki on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:09 am:

That is what it sounded like to me too even before the additional symptoms. Think of the positive side, if that is what it is, you get meds and after 24 hours or so, she will start feeling better. I hate things that just have to run their course and take days and days for the kiddos to feel better!!

Let us know how you make out!

By Reds9298 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 01:42 pm:

We went to the doctor this morning and I'm a little confused, but keep in mind these are our first experiences with sick dr. visits AND we have a new doctor.

He said that she definitely has fluid in that ear (he thinks left over from before) and a full nose. When she coughs, it sounds loose. He didn't say her chest sounded bad.

He gave her a decongestant and an antibiotic, BUT said to only fill the antibiotic if she started running a fever or got grumpy. (Up to this point, she hasn't been grumpy, just a little quieter than usual.) He kept mentioning that if the nose continues with the decongestant, that she may have allergies.

We don't have a lot of allergies in our families. DH has none and I get them a couple of weeks in May and again in August. It's definitely not severe. I also know that when I am having one of those allergy times, I don't have thick, yucky snot in my nose and no cough whatsoever. Am I trying to play doctor or does this guy sound on the right track?

I'm thinking about giving her the antibiotic now. What do you think??

By Vicki on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 02:01 pm:

If she has fluid in the ears, I would give it to her now too. I understand the whole things about antibiotics being over used etc., but I honestly now believe that many doctors are going over board with it. With fluid being in her ears and yellow/green discharge from her nose, I would give her the antibiotic now too.

By Tink on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 02:06 pm:

Personally, I'd hold off on the antibiotic. It's so easy for them to build up a resistance and if she's not feverish or grumpy, it may be something that resolves on its own. I don't know about the allergies. My ds has had terrible seasonal allergies since he was a few weeks old but the mucous is always clear or whitish, thick or thin. Not yellowish at all. It is pretty easy for children to have allergies, even if there isn't much family history for them and vice versa. DH has terrible seasonal allergies but only one aunt has any history of them. My family all has various allergies and I have the mildest hayfever issues, similar to your's.

Go with your guy, you know Natalie best but my inclination is to give it a few more days to see if everything begins clearing up on its own. {{{Deanna and Natalie}}} I hate seeing my kids sick. It's such a helpless feeling.

By Tayjar on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 03:11 pm:

Give her the antibiotic. My DS has permanent hearing loss from constant ear infections. He has had 4 sets of tubes and he is only 7. And, once the antibiotic runs out, take her back and make sure that fluid is gone.

Because of ear infections, my son never developed his speech properly. We did years of therapy and he is now understandable but still struggles a little. Until his tubes, he heard sounds like he was under water. Fluid in the ears is nothing to mess with. It is also painful.

By Reds9298 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 03:12 pm:

Hhhmmm...I'm thinking about it. I'm going to see what DH thinks when he gets home, but I think my gut is telling me to start her on the antibiotic. It took her an hour to get to sleep this afternoon from the cough and the snots. Then I also started thinking about the appetite...none. She's eaten about 12 cans of fruit in the last 2 days and that's it. She wants nothing. Short of the fever, which she has only had one day this week, she's acting the same as the first time we went in, only more congested and with a cough now.

There are signs everywhere in my doc's office about not always giving an antibiotic, and I do understand that, but really. The first time she had this (2 weeks ago) she had a clear runny nose for about 10days before it turned yellow/green with a fever. I never even thought of taking her in until then. But once it got thick and green/yellow, I thought infection. Vicki- I also think some doctors are overusing the "no antibiotic" thing, and I think some parents run to the doctor for every sniffle. Tink- I hear you about the antibiotic, too, and I've tried reading up on not going always with an antibiotic.

I'm pretty sure I'll start the antibiotic tonight. I really do think she needs it. Thanks girls!!!

By Trina~moderator on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 03:27 pm:

I agree. I would give her the antibiotic.

By Pamt on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 04:53 pm:

Don't you just love conflicting Mommy advice! I'm with Tink though. A stopped up nose and fluid in the ears is NOT an infection so antibiotics aren't needed. Only an antihistimine and/or decongestant. Kids do build up immunities to antibiotics and it is really scary to think that what we take for granted won't always work. Antibiotics were quite a miracle drug when discovered b/c people died OFTEN from things like pneumonia, staph infections, etc. that are cured with antibiotics. However, if we continue to overuse them for colds and allergies that they don't help anyway then they will lose effectiveness.

And just to clarify, fluid in the ear is different from an ear infection. It does affect the hearing in a similar way but is not the result of an infection.

By Reds9298 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 07:37 pm:

I agree that fluid in the ear is definitely different from an ear infection, having experienced that quite a bit myself. It's not the ear as much as it is the cough,nose, AND the ear. This is not a runny nose. This is thick yellow crap that blows out when she laughs or coughs. Really gross! She's also hoarse and coughs like a 40 yr. smoker.

I appreciate the conflicting advice!! We've decided to go with the antibiotic though. This is Natalie's very first illness (2nd in about 3 weeks I should say). If it comes back after 2 rounds, then I'm more willing to walk about allergies or something else or whatever.

By Dawnk777 on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 11:13 pm:

With the thick yellow crap, I think I would have started the antibiotic myself!

By Debbie on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 08:36 am:

Yes, give her the antibiotic!! My ds had temporary hearing loss because of constant ear infections and fluid in the ear. It also effected his speech because things sound funny when you have the fluid in your ear(it sounds like you are under water) He was at 60% hearing level by the time we got the tubes in his ears. He did eventually get his full hearing back.

The fluid is just a breading ground for bacteria. Also, if she has thick, yucky mucus, then it sounds like she has an infection.

I know antibiotics are overused. However, it sounds like she hasn't been on them much before. If that is the case, I would definitley give it to her.

By Amecmom on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 03:56 pm:

Chiming in late, but it could even be a sinus infection that is causing fluid to develop behind the ear.

When Helen was only a few months old, she developed a persistent ear infection - such that we had to have her on a small, daily dose of antibiotic until spring - when cold season was over.

It worked out just fine.

Hope she's feeling better!
Ame

By Imamommyx4 on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 05:42 pm:

As a mom I agree with my earlier statement, go with your gut. If it were mine, I'd probably give it to her.

As a medical professional though, your dr is right on target.

But don't worry about the resistance. If you were giving your baby antibiotics every other week, you might worry about it. Resistance is not as big of an issue as some want you to believe.

By Pamt on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 06:17 pm:

Yeah, I'd give it too with thick gooey snot. I didn't catch that part earlier. I thought it was just a runny or stopped up nose and fluid in the ears. Hope she's better soon!

By Reds9298 on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 07:27 pm:

Thanks everyone!!! I appreciate ALL of the advice. You guys are really great.

By Lauram on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 11:15 pm:

Hope she's feeling better!

By Kiki on Sunday, March 26, 2006 - 12:13 am:

When Gabby was a baby the only way we knew she had an ear infection was when she would cut a tooth. The doctor would always put her on the same antibiotic the one that you would give over a course of 10 days. It never worked. I would have to go in again and another antibiotic would be prescribed and that would work. Finally, after a couple of ear infections, I insisted on the newer medicine being prescribed when a new ear infection would develop. It's frustrating when they are sick because they really can't tell you what's wrong. Follow your instinct. It never failed me. I hope she's feeling better.