Toddler Always Sick - PLEASE HELP

Updated on December 07, 2009
D.S. asks from Grand Prairie, TX
8 answers

Hi ladies. I'm hoping someone can help me. My 20 month old son is always sick. He is in daycare and I understand that children in daycare often get sick, but I strongly believe this may be more than your typical childhood illnesses. About 8 weeks ago my son started running a fever ranging from 102 to 104.7. This lasted for about a week before our pediatrician referred us to a specialist. The specialist believed it was a severe sinus infection and started him on antibiotics. He was on the medication for 2 weeks. 24 hours after finishing the medication he began getting congested again and had a horrible cough. By this time we changed pediatricians (long story). The new pediatrician gave him a steroid to help his very soar throat, but recommended we contact the specialist again to report the illness having occurred so soon after finishing the antibiotics. The specialist believed he may not have given him enough of that antibiotic and started him on another two week round. Following this 2 weeks, he always prescribed another antibiotic to be taken for 4 weeks. One night he fell asleep early before I had given him his daily dose. Until that point, I had not missed any doses. The following day he came home from daycare with the horrible cough. I gave him his dose that night as normal and within a couple of days the cough was gone. Two weeks later I missed he fell asleep early again and thinking the first time was a coincidence I chose not to wake him. The following night after having nothing strange happen during the day, he woke up at 3am with a 103 temperature. The following day he was severely congested and had a runny nose (green in color which I'm told indicates an infection). The specialist said that he believed it was just a concidence and that he picked up a virus from somewhere and this would have happened whether I missed the dose or not. His last dose of medication was taken on Thanksgiving. Saturday night (48 hours later), he started to run fever, then Sunday he became congested again. His fever compared to other times has been mild. The highest was this evening - 101.8. I'm really not believing it is a coincidence that shortly after not taking the antibiotics he gets sick. Just thinking logically (or at least it seems to me), if he doesn't get sick on the antibiotics it can't be viral. Viruses do not respond to antibiotics right? So it seems to be a bacterial infection that is supressed by the antibiotics, but they aren't removing the cause of the infection. It is remaining in his body and gains strength when he stops the medication. Perhaps I have watched too many episodes of House, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice and ER (I love all of them)? But something just isn't adding up. Has anyone heard of something similar happening to someone? The specialist asked that we come back in tomorrow, but I'd like to have an idea of possible causes to question him about. Thank you!

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So What Happened?

Thank you ladies! Just a quick update - We went to see the specialist on Wednesday and they ran blood tests, did an xray of his chest and gave him a rapid flu test. The flu test and chest xray were both negative. They prescribed him more antibiotics which he began the same night. The next night (last night) I noticed bumps on his hands, feet, legs, mouth and arms. I called the doctor this morning to report the new symptom. Minutes later the nurse called me to tell me that just after we ended our call the doctor came running in with the results of the blood test - he has the hands, feet and mouth virus. I've stopped the antibiotics since they will not help the virus. We are going to let this new illness pass and pray that he stays healthy. However, I do plan to look into seeing the other doctors that a couple of you suggested as a possible cause for his repeated illnesses. Thanks again!

Featured Answers

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

It could be he just hasn't been on antibiotic long enough. My now adult son had ear infection after ear infection at that age. Finally they admitted him to the hospital and put him on an antibiotic drip for 3 or 4 days to get rid of the bacteria. You might ask about that.

Get the baby on vitamins and a probiotic. I sell vitamins with a prebiotic that are wonderful. I agree that you would do good building his immune system. More than likely he has allergies that are irritating his sinus and leading to infection. You can fight the allergies by building his immunities.

I don't remember reading whether you are using a humidfier. Another thought.

Good luck today. Please let us know what the specialist says.
P.

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O.M.

answers from Dallas on

just out of curiosity, do you have cats? or dogs? my daughter always seemed to be sick when she was young and it turned out she was highly allergic to our cat. she was always getting sinus infections/upper respitory infections... just a thought. good luck, it can be frustrating. they found out about the allergy from blood test...

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D.P.

answers from Cincinnati on

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C.F.

answers from Dallas on

I would ask for an x ray of his sinuses.

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K.K.

answers from Dallas on

This absolutely does not sound right. My friend had the same situation and they even took her child's tonsils and adenoids out thinking that was the cause, but nope...same thing. She took him to my pedi and they did food intolerance testing and lo and behold his immune system is suppressed by some of the foods he was eating (and they eat healthy he just is reacting to some of it). Now he is doing very well and this is the first fall that he has not been on constant antibiotics. Trust your gut.....

I highly recommend Dr. Bain. She helped me with my two girls' ear infections....treated with removing the food intolerances they were having and no more antibiotics and NO surgery....what a relief. LOVE HER!!! Words can not describe!!! It sounds like an immune issue and most doctors do not understand the link between food and the immune system....when Dr. Bain told me 95% of ear infections are a food intolerance I about lost it thinking the other pedi was keeping info from me. She reassured me that she did not learn that in medical school, but in learning more holistic methods. She is an MD, but adds this element in her practice and am I so glad she did......she has totally turned around my youngest daughters health....I could go on and on......let me know if you have questions.

www.healthykidspediatrics.com

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

Hi D.,
Well this may sound nuts but I think you should take him to see a pediatric chiropractor. It sounds like his caught on a viscus antibiotic cycle. With each new Rx the infection gets stronger and the body doesn't get to actually fight off the infection for it's self and comes back stronger. My son was really sick all the time and was only well while on antibiotics. They ended up wanting to remove his tonsils and put tubes in, both of which we chose not to do. After getting proactive in his health by doing things (probotics, sinus flushes and some antihistamines) and letting his body push through the infection did he get better. Now he's great and we don't have any problems.
Best Regards to you and your little one,
C.

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C.F.

answers from Dallas on

Begin by strengthening his immune system and seeking a good pediatrician who is familiar with homeopathy to help you. I can recommend one if you wish.

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K.A.

answers from Dallas on

Momma let me tell you my son is 3.5 and has been sick for 3 years of it. He has had 4 sets of tubes his adnoiods taken out 2xs...You name it, been there done that. We finally took him to the infectious disease specialist at cooks. We saw dr. mark Shelton.....After several test and appt., and scans and meds....we are clear, they are miracle workers...my son can even hear now. call the infectious disease specialist at cooks, its there job to deal with infectious that regular docs cant find a cure for.

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