My oldest ds age 5 is coughing non-stop. Maybe a minute or two passes between each cough or coughing spell. He has vomited about 6 times tonight from it - gross but mucousy vomit - which tells me it's from the cough. No fever, no other symptoms besides a slight stuffy/runny nose. Should I take him to the ER??

By Kaseys on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 02:08 am:

I'm still up but don't know if I'll be much help.. When ds gets like that is in the winter time and he sounds like a seal when he coughs. It usually ends up being bronchitis (sp).. My ped told me to take him out in the cold air or let him stick his head in the freezer.. But like I said he had a very dry sounds to it.. Like a seal barking.. Hope I helped a little..

By Amy~moderator on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 02:35 am:

First of all, thank you for responding so quickly. It doesn't sound like a seal, I've ruled out the croup (he's had that before). This is just like a regular cough, but constant. Ugh!!!

By Kaseys on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 02:44 am:

Poor little guy, maybe he has sinus drainage?? I know it can make me feel sick to my tummy.. I hope he feels better and the two of you can get some sleep.. If it has been as 30 degrees one day and 70 degrees the next where you live like it has been here in MS, it's no wonder our babies aren't sick all of the time. Hope you get some rest!!

By Amy~moderator on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 02:50 am:

That's EXACTLY how it's been here with the weather. And with the 5 of us, at least 2 are always sick. Ahhh!!!

By Kaseys on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 02:54 am:

Healthy vibes coming your way. We have been very lucky so far, we are going to Disney in Feb. so I figure that is when we will all end up with the crud!! LOL Hopefully not though..

By Palmbchprincess on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 03:03 am:

I think it's nasal drip as well, can you give him something to dry up the sinuses? Having something in his stomach to calm it might help too. That's all I can think of, hope Adrian is feelin better soon!

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 05:19 am:

Best thing in the stomach is plain, warm coke or gingerale. Dry heaves are so upsetting and bad for the stomach. Give him a tablespoon of the warm (not diet) soda and if he keeps it down, give him another tablespoon in 20-30 minutes. After about 4 doses, if they stay down, increase it to 1/4 ounce (2 tablespoons) the same timing, and after 4 doses, increase to 1/2 cup for two doses. If that stays down, keep it up. Dehydration is an important issue. If he vomits, wait half an hour and start over. Drying up the sinus drainage is a good idea if you have something your ped recommended. Does sound, with the mucous in the vomit, like that's the problem.

I'm sure you'll be calling the ped in the a.m. and probably taking him in.

By Colette on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 05:52 am:

Ditto Ginny on the warm, flat, coke/gingerale. My mother used to have us do that and it works. I hope your ds is feeling better and this doesn't go through the whole family.

By Kernkate on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 07:04 am:

Amy hope you managed to get some sleep. How is your DS this morning? I also would think its a sinus problem. My DS use to get they that with his allergies and all the mucous.
~~~~Healthy Vibes~~~~ to all of you.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 08:02 am:

Amy, how is he this morning???

By Mrse on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 10:13 am:

When my dd gets sick like that, she lives on the couch, I get most of the pillows in the house , to elevate her , she coughs less, the steamer goes right beside the couch, . The doctor gave me some cough medicine that has codiene in it to ease the coughing, it really works. I also put vicks on her chest. She gets her crackers and ginerale. No milk, just gums up in her chest. finger foods if she is up to it . Give it a try elevating is important.

By Palmbchprincess on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 12:52 pm:

Bump! Amy, how is he doing?

By Amy~moderator on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 01:21 pm:

Thank you all for the advice - I never knew about using coke to calm the stomach! He fell asleep about 2am, I slept with him and he was fine all night. This morning his cough has gone down 98%. I gave him cough syrup, so that seems to be working. I did do the vaporizer and vics rub as well. If it starts up again with vomiting, I am definitely going to give him a bit of coke. We'll see how it goes. Thank you again everyone for your advice and concern. It means a lot.