Illness criteria?!?

So. Eventful week over here! I listened to my gut and brought the three to pedi. Long story short we have one with pneumonia, the other two virus of sorts, but doc said they probably have the same thing amongst three of them. So zpack for all three and breathing treatments three times a day for the three.

I've kept the boys out of school all week(except Monday). They are fine otherwise, aside from a runny nose from Anthony.

They have a birthday party on Saturday that we RSVP'd to. Would you still take them? Aside from coughing and runny nose they are fine-no fevers, etc.

 

Isn't a zpack effective after 24 hours? I'd consider going, but I'm not sure.

Ugh, Meghan! I feel so clueless about sickness. I wish I had the intuition you do- we apparently go too far with our "wait and see" every time. I hope those kids are well and that you hear no more coughing very soon!

 

Steph-you and me both! It drives me crazy, as I don't want to be the mom that runs every two seconds with a runny nose, nor do I want to hear it just needs to run its course...

I've heard they will be much better tomorrow after another breathing treatment. We will see.

I will say, they are sick, but certainly don't act it or anything. They are happy kids all around.

 

I would go. Fever free and on antibiotics for 24 hrs you should be in the clear to passing it along

 

If it is a virus--- I would wait until the runny nose clears up. The coughs may take longer and usually if they are dry- not a big worry.

The Zpack wont prevent them from spreading the virus. It is good for bacterial infections (likely the pneumonia). The breathing treatments may make their symptoms better, but it does not *cure* the virus.

If the breathing treatments have steriods, then they may have temporarily lowered immune systems. Which puts them at risk of easily picking up new germs!


BUT I say this as a mom of kids that have asthma and I really REALLY get tired of my kiddos missing a week of school with viruses that they pick up!!! One of my girls missed 4 days last week- she was sick for 6 days (weekend in there) and had a fever for only 3. BUT she was so sneezy, runny nose, sore throat, and generally tired that I kept her home even though she was fever-free.



If in doubt, call your Dr and ask how long they are contagious. With viruses- it can vary. Sometimes once your actually sick you've already spread it around! Other times, as long as symptomatic you can be contagious.

Hope they feel better soon! We have had a ton of illnesses around here....

 

I know it's a moot point now but I am not a germaphobe and am used to sickness etc BUT when a kid is coughing I can't help but get nervous that whatever is flying through the air is headed my kids' way. A runny nose is one thing, but the cough.. it's kinda pervasive. I sure hope they feel better soon!!

 

I called the doc and double checked. We got the all clear. Their coughing was definitely decreased today and they are superb about covering. They had three doses of antibiotics and 6 breathing treatments. Annabella was watched by a friend and she was probably the worst of the three.

Thank you everyone!