Updated...My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

Hi ladies - please excuse the ignorance of this post but, my DS is rarely sick so I'm really not sure if this is something that warrants a visit to the ped. In the few times he has been sick - he has almost always started with a high fever so I have taken him right in.

But, the timing for this is terrible - I'm 39 wks pregnant and now haven't slept in days and am afraid to go sit in the peds office and get exposed to god knows what if I don't have to but, of course, if my little guy needs it I will be there.

Here are his symptoms and maybe someone can tell me if this sounds like your run of the mill cold or something he might need meds for and thus theped. He started Sunday with an occasional deep cough - maybe once every few hours but, when he did cough it was deep and hurt him - no other symptoms - acting normal, eating normal etc. Sunday night he barely slept, tylenol didn't help and it appeared to be the cough waking him up which got worse at night. Yesterday morning he was fine again - still no fever and just the occasional cough but, it still was deep and still hurt him. Last night, was worse - hardly any sleep but same story otherwise. Now today his cough is worse - it's much more frequent, it's deep and wet and now he is sneezing too. But, still, acting normal otherwise and no fever.

Could this be something bacterial that needs antibiotics even without a fever or is the ped. just going to tell me its a cold virus and it needs to run its course?

TIA so much. This is the worst timing for this. If I wasn't about to give birth I would just head to the ped instead of debating it.

UPDATED BELOW IN THREAD

Message edited 1/6/2010 5:03:02 PM.

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

i would take him to the ped. if he does need ab its better to get him cleared up b4 u bring a newborn in the house and taking the chance of ur newborn catching something.

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

I would call the ped...but fully explain your situation

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

The constant coughing worries me. I would take him in. DS had an regular cough a few times a day that increased ten fold. Brough him in and he was so phlemy that he needed a treatment because his had labored breathing.

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

I brought DD to the ped yesterday after debating for a few days. His general view is that once it severly interferes with sleep, it is probably more than just a cold and you should bring them in. Turns out she has a sinus & ear infection.

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

Thanks ladies - After reading, I just called the ped. to see if he wanted me to come in. He said from his symptoms it just sounds like a chest cold and said he didn't think I needed to bring him at least not right now - but, if he develops a fever or at any point has trouble breathing or starts acting sick - not eating etc. that I should bring him right in.

Unfortunately, for my DS the not sleeping is par for the course - he is a terrible sleeper in general and something as little as a hang nail can prevent him from sleeping. He is mostly waking up b/c he wants me to wipe his nose or b/c the cough woke him up and he doesn't want to go back to sleep.

Thanks so much for the advice, I'm glad I called. If he is worse or not better tomorrow I think I will def. take him in then.

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

I was going to say call, too. Glad you did, and feel better. Just wanted to add that my Ped office is in a larger office building, and when I was pg and when my 2nd DS was very young, they told me to wait in the building lobby and then came and got me, or called my cell. Maybe you can do something similar, even wait in your car, if you have to go in?

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

I would automatically take my child anytime there is a cough esp one that sounds deep or is making them uncomfortable if for nothing else but to make sure their lungs are clear. Luckily I haven't had to do that yet - but if it was my DD I would definitely take her - besides if he does need antibiotics I would want to get him on them before the baby comes.

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

He could be prescribed a steroid or nebulizer if the cough warrants it so I, personally, would take him in

Re: My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

Re: Updated...My DS is sick and I need advice on whether to take him to the ped

Just wanted to update b/c all you ladies were so helpful! I took him to the ped on all of your suggestions and he is fine - Ped said his lungs are clear - he is breathing totally fine - just congestion in his chest but it is loose so that is good. Of course, he has a miserable cold but that is about it and there is nothing really to do for it except for what i have been doing. But, I'm glad I went at least for peace of mind. Thanks!