Bring toddler back to Dr?

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 2:50 pm

My 2 yo had been by the Dr twice within the past week. First she had an ear infection. Then she came down with a cold and bad cough and still had same symptoms that sent me to Dr first time around, so I thought she still had ear infection. Her ears were fine, but she sounded so congested that Dr wanted her on nebulizer to listen to her again right after, to make sure it’s not pneumonia. She sounded much clearer right after that, so Dr said it’s not pneumonia, but she is wheezing so I should keep using inhaler.
That was last night. Today she’s been acting worse than the past week. She came down with fever. Nothing major, but 100.5
Can something like that turn into pneumonia? Should I be going back to Dr if she still has fever tomorrow? Or say it’s probably just a cold?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 4:54 pm

amother Stonewash wrote:

She isn't on antibiotics for the ear infection???

No. She has tubes so they wanted me to try drops before putting her on antibiotics. And I guess the drops worked because the Dr said her ears look pretty good

NotFunny ↓

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 6:10 pm

No way to really know.
I’ve had kids with super bad upper respiratory symptoms, but clear lungs and less severe symptoms with clear lungs but bronchitis or pneumonia by week 2.

So just keep an eye and if things get worse (cough, fever, nausea/vomiting, chest pain etc) go back to the doctor. Also, if they get better and then a day or so later the fever or other symptoms get worse- also good idea to recheck.
Sometimes it’s anew virus, but occasionally a secondary bacterial infection due to viral infection.

seeker ↓

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 6:40 pm

Better safe than sorry. I've seen not-pneumonia develop into badly yes pneumonia very quickly. If she looks worse, take her back.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 6:51 pm

Ok thanks everyone. As of now, we’re going back to Dr tomorrow. She’s on Motrin, so idk her temp now, but she’s already woken from coughing 3 times, and it’s not even 10:00 where I live! (She’s probably only sleeping for 2 hours and woke up 3 times already)
If she’s like this tomorrow, especially if she has fever, we’re definitely going back. I just wanted to make sure I’m not crazy for going back just for a bad cold and cough

amother

Salmon

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 7:01 pm

My toddlers lungs were clear last Thurs when we went to the doc, he woke up with fever on friday and on Sunday we returned to the dr and were given antibiotics for pneumonia. By Tuesday he was much, much better! Hatzlocha!

↑ NotFunny ↓

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 7:04 pm

amother OP wrote:

Nope, not crazy. Anyway, better to be crazy and conscientious than overlook things.

Do you have a humidifier? You can also try a cut up onion near the bed to help the coughing. Try to elevate her so she’s more comfortable. And if you know how to do chest pt, that helps too.

Also, you may want to do a chest xray if you’re that concerned and doc is not sure re wheezing.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 7:07 pm

seeker wrote:

Is the nebulizer helping? Does she seem normal other than the coughing?

She was only on the nebulizer once, in the doctors office. Then she asked if I have a puffer at home, which I do, and she told me to use that. I’ve been using it every 4 hours but don’t notice much difference. She had fever today, so she wasn’t acting normal other than her coughing. She was acting sick. Until I gave her motrin

amother

↑ OP

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 7:09 pm

NotFunny wrote:

Tysm. She has a humidifier on in her room now. I gave her a pillow (I have a tiny crib one-she’s over 2 yrs old, I figured it’s safe for her and she needs it)

↑ NotFunny

Sun, Nov 17 2024, 7:13 pm

amother OP wrote:

Tysm. She has a humidifier on in her room now. I gave her a pillow (I have a tiny crib one-she’s over 2 yrs old, I figured it’s safe for her and she needs it)

You can also roll up a towel and put it underneath the mattress.
Refuah sheleima! It could just be an rsv type cold. Hopefully it passes quickly with no pneumonia.