Hi parents,
My 2 year old has had a cold for a week and it's not getting better. He is very congested, can't breath out his nose, and has a congested cough.....he coughs alot! He has no fever, his nose runs all day..but it's clear mucus, and he still plays but he seems very tired and he cries when he coughs. How do you know when it's time to go the the doctor? It is just a cold.....maybe give it a little longer?
Thanks!
Sounds like a sinus infection. He might need meds to kick it. It could have also gone to his ear(s). Took my son in for a lingering cold/cough and he had a bad ear infection/sinus infection even though he never complained about his ear--and he's 7!
They usually say if its over 2 weeks. Coughs can drag on and on. My daughter had one for a long time and I took her in. All they did was listen to her chest and since it was clear, sent her home.
Sounds more like an allergy than a cold. He will cough as long as his nose is running, especially down his throat. Clear mucus is usually the sign of an allergy... any coloration is an infection, ie cold. If it was a cold/virus he would have a fever. It's exhausting not being able to breathe clearly and coughing for a little guy is no fun, it hurts after a while. Take him to the doctor for a check-up, or a least call the nurse hotline to see what anti-histamine/decongestants they recommend. There are precautions that need to be discussed and followed. Get well soon!!
Try Zicam (they have various forms of it - the mint spray works great) will speed the healing process up. Make him lots of tea (peppermint, camomile, echinacea tea, and they make some specifically for colds) put some Manuka Honey in it (you can get it on amazon.com) best stuff to heal everything.
At night (or even during the day) rub some vicks cream on his chest, neck, under nose to help with the stuffiness.
Usually when the mucus is clear it means teething. Clear mucus is teething and yellow-green mucus signifies an infection of some sort. Has he got his two-year-old molars yet, because it sounds like his symptoms are teething. But that said, teething doesn't usually come with a cough. Check to see if his molars are in and if they are, take him to the doc...
FYI.
Many people think that a green or yellow nasal discharge means a bacterial infection, which requires antibiotics. This is NOT true. Colds will often begin with a clear nasal discharge, but after several days it usually turns creamy yellow or green. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics will not help. A green or yellow nasal discharge is not a sign that you need antibiotics.
If it's less than 10-14 days w/o a fever, they'll likely tell you to wait it out.. but you can call and ask. In the meantime, use saline (even if you don't suction it out) to thin the mucus. If you haven't already, I'd also put a humidifer in the bedroom to keep the air moist. You can limit milk and dairy (to also keep the mucus amount down). I sometimes "steam" them in the bathroom when I shower - they color on the floor and I block the door... It may be allergies.... but likely a cold. Can give benedryl or advil at night for runny nose/sore throat respectively if you want to try some otc stuff. I also find baby vicks is great on the chest... and sounds silly, but lather it on the bottoms of the feet w/ socks for sleep (for the cough...). I know, strange, but it works.. Good luck and hope it improves soon.
Take him to the Doctor. I would have taken him.
Per our Doc's... a 'cold' runs its course in 7-10 days.
If symptoms are getting worse/different/not better... then take him to the Doctor.
You do NOT 'know' if it is a regular 'cold' or not.
Pertussis for example, is rampant/epidemic in some parts of the U.S.
"Coughing"... should not make a child cry.... for example.
And he is very fatigued....
To me: these things can indicate something more than just a 'cold.' It can be many lung related colds... or even pneumonia or many of the other 'coughing' type illnesses.
ALSO, in addition to chest congestion... your son is having nasal congestion....
I would, take him to the Doctor, tomorrow..... or if not, the ER.
You can STILL give him tylenol &/or ibuprofen to ease the achiness/ pain/ discomfort. 1 will get you 50 he also has a headache (don't you usually when you have a cold?).
Personally, I treat the symptoms (cough syrup for coughs -dextromathorphan and/or guaifenesin , pseudoephedrine for sinus and lung congestion, tylenol and/or ibuprofen for aches and pains w/ or w/out fever), push fluids, and encourage rest (aka no trips to the park or active play, but bed and reading or couch and movies). If there's no improvement with rest, fluids, and meds (meaning he doesn't need them anymore, not he feels better while on them)... or if anything changes for the worse... I take him in.
If he has had it for a week or more, take him in to get checked. The cold my dd brought home from school the first week is nasty one with a bad cough and stuffy nose. We are still fighting symptoms. Keep an eye on his eyes. Are they clear or gooped up in the mornings? This latest cold brought on pink eye because it backed up into our eyes.
Take him in and get him checked. There isn't much you can do for a little one and they don't like prescribing things for colds/coughs at this age. You might try a naturopath. My little guy was sick at 4 wks and we used wet cotton socks and dry wool ones over the top. It helped to loosen the crud in his lungs. Just used my wool socks and they came up to his hips. It was pretty cute and sad all at the same time.
I would call the advice nurse at your doctor's office and see what they suggest. Personally, if it's been a week I would take him in. I would worry that it would settle in his lungs. It's best to let the doctor tell you nothing is wrong.
The new fall virus is a cough and congestion nightmare. After a week I would take him in. My home remedies are vicks vapor rub on the chest as my 5 year old is terrible about taking medicines. Although there are a couple of good meltaways that help with colds now. But for a two year old, vicks is good. Your doctor can give you better advice to help the cough.
We got hit with this cough/cold thing the first week of school and both of my school age kids have missed nearly a week from it. There is no fever but a real bronchial cough and lots of flem.
i have learned that not all conditions run a fever... for example my son had strep throat but didn't really run a fever with it. they say to go based on actions usually being not themselves which only you know what this is when it comes to your own child,you will know when it is not right to take him to the doctor and like the others said colds usually only last like 7 days,a really heavy heavy cold could be something lung related take him in just to be safe.
