WWYD? Fever and Cough

[Sandbox Sally]

I know whatever 15 mo dcg has, she is likely past the contagious stage. I'm not worried about exposure at this time. However, she has a terrible cough, is laying on my couch and crying every time she hacks. She's saying, "owwwww" and holding her chest with every cough. I think she needs to see a doctor. Her fever is low - 100.5.

Would you guys send her home?

[Fun&care]

I would. If a child can't keep up with the regular routine and she is crying because she is in pain, she needs to go home to rest and possibly be seen by a doctor.

[mimi]

Absolutely!!!! She has a fever, is in pain and needs immediate medical attention.

[Sandbox Sally]

Dad's coming. Thanks.

[kidlove]

Glad Dad is on his way! now take extra vitamins, and de-germ as much as possible...sounds like influenza and that spreads like wild fire! hope you stay well. ;)

[Sandbox Sally]

Thanks, kidlove. :)

[bright sparks]

Sounds like a chesty cough. Poor thing. As everything is connected via the sinus' she probably has a little infection related to the cold and cough and its causing the fever. Needs to be home resting with lots of fluids. I pray to god another dr doesn't prescribe antibiotics for another's cold. It's no wonder cold and flu season just keeps getting worse and worse. Poor little thing

[mimi]

My husband who is normally as strong healthy guy has had since Dec 30 flu, bronchitus, walking pnemonia and now rebound pnemonia. These bugs are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Very scary. We are using the natural approach as much as possible.

[bright sparks]

Good luck Mimi. That sounds terrible. Your poor hubby. I got hit with a cold on Sunday. Monday was worse with a nasal drip and now it's all dried up. I swear by sambucol which is black elderberry extract. My whole family has been taking it since my son started with sniffles and a fever on Friday evening and now we are pretty much done. Thank goodness. Also oil of oregano is sometng Ive heard so many people swear by and warm water with honey(preferably local) and cinnamon in it is good for colds. Be well everybody. Spring will be here before you know it :-)

[kidlove]

where I am, this influenza virus seems to have hit pretty hard, and it only last about 2 to three days for those with a descent immune system, those who are less lucky, it seems to develope into more serious junk like pnemonia, or bronchitis and such. Seems to begin with a runny nose, then headaches, body aches, fever and chills. pain in chest and a cough. They say they are really weak and tired also. then about 3 days later, back to normal aside from a lingering cough.

[Sandbox Sally]

Sounds like a chesty cough. Poor thing. As everything is connected via the sinus' she probably has a little infection related to the cold and cough and its causing the fever. Needs to be home resting with lots of fluids. I pray to god another dr doesn't prescribe antibiotics for another's cold. It's no wonder cold and flu season just keeps getting worse and worse. Poor little thing

If she has an infection, antibiotics wouldn't be prescribed for the cold, but for the infection. Often, sinus and bronchial infections do require antibiotics.

[kidlove]

Too many doctors seem to give too many antibiotics rather than letting the illness run a natural course. IF it's a virus, antibiotics can do nothing, and if you take antibiotics when they are not needed....good luck having your body work proper when you do need them and take them, you will build an immunity to the antibiotic and the use of it will be as if taking a sugar pill.
I have also learned, you should never give medication to lower a fever unless the fever reaches a dangerous level....103 or higher. The fever is the bodies signs of naturally working to overcome an unwanted virus. If there is a fever...it's a good thing. If you lower the fever with medication you are taking away the bodies natural ability to fight the illness. I have had so many parents medicate to drop a fever and try to bring there kids, explaining, :the fever is gone" so they can come back to care. Not here! :)

[mimi]

So right kidlove. With acceptable levels, I always leave a fever alone. Your body knows what it is doing. Also, never use cough supressants unless dr says so and even then sparingly.

[Sandbox Sally]

I do understand antibiotics resistance. I was just clarifying that infection is the correct usage of antibiotics. This kid doesn't have a fever from her cold. She has a fever because she has an infection somewhere. An infection is not a virus, but a cold is. Normally when you develop a secondary fever during/after a cold, it's from an infection of some kind. Colds on their own don't normally come with a fever.

[sunnydays]

I'm glad you sent her home! My 2.5 year old daughter had a bad cough last week with no fever or other symptoms...I thought it was just a cough due to a cold, but when we finally took her to the doctor, it turned out she had pneumonia! And she had no fever...just a really phlegmy cough. I will never minimalize a cough again.

[Sandbox Sally]

When her dad (whom I love, and who seems to be a really invested parent, btw) picked her up, he said, "it's weird. You said she was sick last night, and when we got her home she was fine, and then again this morning she was fine, and now you're saying she's sick again".

I'm not sure what he meant by that. It seemed to imply that I was reading too much into her illness. Sorry. Crying, pain and fever. I had to call.

[mimi]

Alpha my hubby was the same way these last few days till it hit him fully. Felt crappy w/fever, then fine, then crappy. Ugggh is it spring yet?

[mom-in-alberta]

I would have called too. If she cannot participate in our day-to-day activities, she is too sick to be here. I will make an allowance if the child is willing/able to just hang out on the couch, have quiet time, etc. But the fever and crying, equals a call to the parents.
As for dad's remark; I think I would have just said "Well, I can only tell you what is going on while she is here, and she is very uncomfortable today. I will be in touch to see how she is doing."
Chances are, her being "fine" meant that mom or dad snuggled up on the couch with her and cuddled all day/evening. That is NOT "fine" for daycare!!

[Momof4]

I do understand antibiotics resistance. I was just clarifying that infection is the correct usage of antibiotics. This kid doesn't have a fever from her cold. She has a fever because she has an infection somewhere. An infection is not a virus, but a cold is. Normally when you develop a secondary fever during/after a cold, it's from an infection of some kind. Colds on their own don't normally come with a fever.

Exactly this. A fever is a symptom of an infection. That's why I send children home when a fever is getting close to 101 because they need to see a doctor. If parents just medicate to bring down the fever they are not getting to the root of the problem, ear, throat or chest infection? If left untreated there could be a serious problem.