Question

So obviously there has been an onslaught of flu, colds, pneumonia, etc going around the schools. My preschooler got hit hard on sunday with fever and cough. Tuesday, my 1 year old (literally turned one today! ) caught the fever, cough, and added a cold with teething to boot. Its saturday, I haven't gotten the fever to go away, and when he coughs he turns bright red/purple. We cant seem to knock it out of him. I've called his doc twice and they're usually awesome about calling us back but weve heard zilch from them. I noticed last night and today he has had barely any wet diapers but still pooping. He barely sleeps. I'm usually one to avoid the ER or urgent care, but at this point I'm really worried. Talk me through it. What would you do?  

Answer 1

Our 3. 5 year old came down with a fever yesterday morning and same. Can’t seem to knock it down. It does not help that he doesn’t want to take Thankslenol and when I tried to give it to him using the provided syringe, he threw up. Thought about going to the er but assuming there are many sick people already waiting to be seen, and probably have been waiting for hours I decided to pass. Plus, since the immune system is already fighting this virus the last thing my kiddo needs is to be infected with a different strain of whatever he has ‘cause lord knows this crap just keeps on mutating. We’re currently pushing fluids such as water, juice and Gatorade. As much food as he will eat and it’s not much. Like @natheless said, keep on checking on the temp oh and cold compresses to help with the fever. That’s what I do. And happy birthday to your boy  

Answer 2

I'd start pushing fluids and monitor the fever/give Thankslenol as needed.  

Answer 3

If he is wheezing at all when breathing take him in though. My daughter used to get horrible breathing when she was sick at that age and had to stay overnight once. We have a nebulizer now if it happens again but she seems to have outgrown it.  

Answer 4

I would try to get him in for a sick visit with your ped today if they are open Saturday mornings. Keep calling them

Answer 5

If you are worried urgent care. It won’t hurt to have another pair of eyes on him

Answer 6

My 5 yo got hit with a bad fever. It was negative at the doc for flu but it was viral. As soon as he got amoxicillin he was back to himself. So you may need to stalk the doctor and just get him in.  I’m sure they are overwhelmed bc literally everyone is sick . ER isn’t the place to go. A walk in or urgent care is what I’d do if I couldn’t get my doc probably today since they’ve been sick all week. Hang in there girl I only have 1 and it was ROUGH for the week he was sick. ❤️

Comments

@deficient nch immediate care over Walgreens immediate care. If only for the cleanliness

Answer 7

I would do an urgent care and change peds my peds have nurses on staff that answer the sick child calls

Comments

@fallingout id be pissed if I didn’t at least get a call back!  

Answer 8

Mine always answers and has a nurse on call, but if for some reason I couldn't get through, honestly I'd just bring her into their office. They sick visits same day so I'd just say, nobody answered so I wanted to come by and have a nurse check her before exposing her to all those ER germs if it wasn't necessary. In person, it would basically force them to assess your kid. This would be a last resort though and then I'd be looking for another ped

Answer 9

I’d go to urgent care or the ER. You don’t want to take any chances, err on the side of caution.  

Answer 10

Northshore has walkins (do not do a CVS Walgreens thing) Push fluids but might need antibiotics so sooner is better. hang in there

Answer 11

I would take him in. I don’t care to manage respiratory things at home that involve a fever that won’t go away - and I’m in the medical field. I don’t do long fevers and respiratory stuff at home on little ones.  

Comments

Go to urgent care. Don’t take chance on a little one.  

Answer 12

Take him in if you are concerned. Could be croup.  

Answer 13

My son had pneumonia couple of weeks ago. at first it was a regular cough that won’t go away for 2-3 weeks turned out to be a pneumonia he had cough for 4 weeks poor kid. this past week I gave him some lemon about 10ml warm it for 5-8 seconds then I put a little of honey. and humidifier with some drops of eucalyptus oil. now he’s back to normal for the first time in 4 weeks. he missed schools and all the activities

Answer 14

I would call the on-call pediatrician and definitely go to Urgent Care ASAP. Dehydration is serious in babies. Turning red or purple with coughing as also alarming.  

Answer 15

Take him in to get assessed. It sounds like he's getting dehydrated. If you can't get in to ped, go to urgent care. If you can't get in to urgent care, go to ER. I understand not wanting to expose him to other germs but if he doesn't have wet diapers he should be seen. He may need IV fluids.  

Answer 16

I agree to get him assessed ASAP. Also pedialyte to help with hydration

Comments

Hope the baby gets better soon!  

Answer 17

Sounds like you need urgent care or the ER for assessment and fluids

Answer 18

Ugh my fam got hit a few weeks ago. Luckily not as bad but still feverish and coughing. I’m currently 7months pregnant so I was so worried I’d get sick too. Praying for you guys! Drinks lots of water and pedialyte. I also do some immunity ginger tumeric shots to help.  

Answer 19

Sorry little man is having such a hard time. I’d go to urgent care at this point. It will give you peace of mind. Hope he feels better soon!  

Answer 20

Thanks ladies. I'm at Luries in Northbrook right now. Our doc finally got back to is and advised it immediately. The amount of sneezing and coughing going on inside here is insane. If you need to go, wear a mask!