When to go to pedi for a cold?

[karinothing]

DS is 8 months.

Starting last weekend he had a runny nose. He has had a cough for about two days. He kind of sounded a bit wheezy this morning (but I can't tell if it is just his nose or his lungs). Regardless we have abeutrol for him, so I started him on that this morning.

He doesn't have a fever. He seems in good spirits, although a little more cuddly than normal. His sleep is okay, not horrible, but not as good as normal (although he slept in until 9am today!). He is eating in earnest (although milk only, he doesn't seem interested in solids). His dad had a cold last week as well and it started in the nose and ended in the chest with a cough, so I assume DS has the same thing.

I was diagnosed with strep on Friday, but haven't seen any signs of it in DS (the pedi told me what to watch for).

So, two questions

1. Would you take him to the pedi? I don't really know if there is anything more that they can do for him (we are suctioning, using saline drops, and a humidifier).

2. Would you send him to daycare with the cough? I realize a cold isn't a reason to keep him out but I feel bad for the other kids, although I also understand colds can last forever and it isn't feasible to keep him out.

[Deleted]

supposedly kids don't get strep before 2.

I wouldn't go based on your description

[dcrunnergirl]

Jun 24, 2012 9:55:39 GMT -5 @septimus said:

supposedly kids don't get strep before 2.

I wouldn't go based on your description

I feel the same. I only bring them to the pedi if they are really out of sorts, have high fevers, etc.

[txannie]

I would go to pedi. It wouldn't hurt to get a quick check.

I think the wheezing could be a concern. Ds1 had cold symptoms but dr was suspicious of pneunomia vs virus and suggested to start antibiotics to cover the broad spectrum of chest bugs that could be causing symptoms.

Other thing is ears. Have them checked bc ear infections don't always have the obvious symptoms (fever etc). They are tough little guys some times!

[DarcyLongfellow]

If you felt like it was bad enough that you needed the abeutrol, I would think it wouldn't hurt to have the doctor check him out.

I tend to take DD to the pediatrician frequently, though. I have no problem with taking her in and having the doctor tell me it's just a cold and she's fine. DH has bad asthema, so I'm always worried about a cold or anything settling in DD's lungs.

[cjeanette]

This is a situation where I would call and talk to the nurse

[karinothing]

Ok, he seems to be on the mend (nose less stuffed up this morning). I think I will give it one more day and see how he is tomorrow. Then call and see what they say.

[h]

The only symptom you listed that might prompt me to go is the wheezing, depending on how bad it is. My son had a lot of wheezing episodes that required albuterol as an infant (and was diagnosed with asthma at 2). When he was a baby, I could always see his chest pulling in if his lungs got bad. I would take him in at that point. Normal cold symptoms without significant lung involvement would not merit a trip to the pedi for me.