Hi Mommies, My just turned 2 year old DS has been ill for the past week. It started out with a loss of appetite last Saturday that has persisted until yesterday. He threw up on Sunday evening one time. Monday night he woke up with a croupy cough Took him to the pedi Tues. She put him on a steroid and that kicked the croup pretty fast. But a cough still lingered. Clear runny nose showed up on Tuesday and has been around intermitently. He has had no fever that I have been able to detect. He has been in generally good spirits the entire week, but usually always is regardless of his condition.
Big brother has been ill for the past week and a half, but with fever hitting 102 and below, puny appetite consistently, cough but no croup. Interesting side note, big brother licked an aquarium at the pet store about three days before he came down with all of this. His constant complaint is his stomach hurts and occasionally he mentions his throat.
Yesterday, toddler DS had a tremendous appetite and ate basically everything that we put in front of him! I thought, yea! We've kicked the whole thing finally! BUT, this morning he woke up with the same puny appetite he had all week (literally less than half of what he normally eats). AND he has thrown up 3 times this evening within about 1 and a half hours.
Pedi refused to check for strep on Friday and said this is just a cold. But shouldn't his symptoms be getting better, not worse? Also, no fever this evening. WHAT IS GOING ON? Scared Mommy on this end.
Can you call your ped? Do they have an aswering advice nurse?
If so, I would call their line, give the symptoms.....just to be sure.
It's probably nothing serious but you're right to be sure.
I will be thinking good thoughts for you.
I would definitely ask for a strep test. I hear strep is going around in Allen. It is for sure going around here in The Colony. Also just to be on the safe side, keep both kids on the brat diet for a couple of days. This way, if it is a stomach virus, it'll give his stomach time to recoup and become strong enough to eat heavier foods.
If you don't feel like it can wait until Monday, take your son to an Emergency Pediatric After hours place (there's one at Preston/Forest in Dallas) on Sunday. They can do the strep test and check if it's anything to worry about. There is a bunch of stuff going around.
Sounds like you've had a rough week! So hard when kids are sick : ( I know both my kids seem to really get nailed when they get sick and it takes them a ling time to kick it, but drs can be wrong so if you feel like something's not right definitely give them a call or bring in to be seen. You know your kids better than anyone! If you're having doubts better safe than sorry, and it will help ease your mind too. Hope they are feeling better soon!
Have you gotten a flash light out and looked in the back of his throat? That would be the first thing I did before I went to the ER. If he isn't running a fever, and no large narly puss pockets are in the back of his throat, I wouldn't think this is strep. Fevers with strep are pretty true to form. They run high fevers for several days, not intermittently.
As bad as I hate to agree with your Pedi, it probably is viral. He could be having a couple of viral things attacking his immune system. Drainage from a sinus cold can cause vomiting. Poor eating habits are also common if you can't taste anything.
Big brother licking an aquarium was indeed gross to mom, but not likely to cause serious illness. Stomach bugs and head colds can happen at the same time and are easily spread around in families.
If you are concerned, you can go to the ER but I would suggest waiting. Peds these days are very cautious about throwing antibotics at things that can't 100% be determined is caused by bacterial. ER doctors even more so.
My suggestion is to push fluids and watch for signs of dehydration. I have used Mucinex for myself and my child, and it works wonderfully. Treat fevers over 102. Have the family practice good handwashing and wipe everything down with Lysol.
It will get better, just give it some time! Good luck and I hope you guys feel better soon.
