Cold/RSV Questions (Long)

[muppetinma]

I searched back on previous posts, but couldn't really find the answer I was looking for. How did you know it was RSV instead of just a cold? What made you go to the doctor?

Andrew developed a cough and labored breathing seemingly overnight. He woke up last night groaning. It wasn't crying or whining. It sounded like he was in pain. We tried giving him a bottle, but he wanted none of it. He didn't want to snuggle. I even turned on Baby Einstein, since it always cheers him up and keeps his attention. Nothing worked. I ended up in the bathroom with the shower running, trying to clear him out. It worked and he fell back asleep with his humidifier on high.

This morning, you could tell he was sick, but he was his generally happy self. He was just upstairs taking a nap and had a coughing fit. It was so bad, I couldn't run upstairs fat enough. I thought he was choking for sure. By the time I got to him, he was fine. Just startled.

Since its a weekend, I'm playing Dr Google trying to figure out what's going on. He has no fever. Isn't really snotty. Minor lack of appetite, but still wetting diapers. Any ideas?

[muppetinma]

Also, aside from the humidifier, what can you do for a bad cough?

[imimahoney]

Ari's bad cold (coughing, sneezing, congestion) is not RSV. I was scared that it was, so I went to the pedi with him last night. Turned out to be a double ear infection.

You could try elevating the crib mattress, if he doesn't move around a lot, or sticking him in the bathroom with you during a super hot shower.

[jenbelle]

Joshua's cough was really bad, and it was causing him to vomit both milk and large amounts of mucus. The vomiting was what made us go to the pedi, and they did a nose swab test for RSV. They gave him a breathing treatment with steroids there at the office, then an inhaler for home. Mainly, we just had to keep him hydrated (pedialyte, and watered down formula if not breast milk) and steam. Coughs suck, since there really isn't much to help them. good luck and i hope he feels better!

[katfco]

DS ended up in the emergency room because he was wheezing. He'd already been prescribed an inhaler a few months before (ashtma runs in our family), and the breathing treatment he had a the doctor's office 2 days before didn't help. They gave him 2 more treatments and tested him for RSV, which came back positive.

For the most part, RSV manifests as a bad cold; it's a virus, so it has to just run its course, but you do need to watch out for danger signs. If he's wheezing, lips are blue or discolored or seems like he can't get enough breath, take him to the ER. Sometimes I think grunting noises are also indicators there could be a problem.

As it was explained to me, we need to pay careful attention to warning signs because babies can go into respiratory distress very quickly.

Unfortunately, other than what PPs have suggested and waiting it out, there's little you can do. Just be on the watch in case it gets worse.

[livinreality]

R had what we though was a cold then stopped eating so that is why we took him in and it was RSV. They don't do anything for cough, but if his breathing is labored to the point he needs a treatment I would take him in.

Have you tried a Vicks wall plug in? They are one of my favorite cold overnight helps.

[irishsara]

The main part of rsv is the wheezing and if when they are breathing you can see their chest retracting. (Take off clothes and watch breathing). We found that if you coat the feet with Vicks vapor rub and then put socks on (or footie pjs) it helps with the cough. It's an old wives tale that our dr endorsed and has always worked for us.

[irishsara]

Also breathing treatments only help about 30% of babies. Charlie didn't respond to the treatment so we couldn't even get any relief that way! My dr said the surest sign is the retracting chest when breathing.

[katfco]

Jan 26, 2013 22:22:09 GMT -5 irishsara said:

Also breathing treatments only help about 30% of babies. Charlie didn't respond to the treatment so we couldn't even get any relief that way! My dr said the surest sign is the retracting chest when breathing.

DS had two albuterol treatments that didn't help much so the ER doctor treated him like an asthmatic and gave him a different treatment. It cleared it right up.

[erniebufflo]

Same as with anything, you go in if the fever is high and won't break, they're not drinking or wetting, they are otherwise not themselves, or they are having trouble breathing. It's the breathing troubles that usually get a baby admitted for RSV. Sometimes you can get breathing treatments in the ER and go home.

Hope he feels better soon!