My kids are never sick- and now they have yellow snot

My kids have gone to the doc for illness maybe 1-3x in the 14 months we've had them.
Everett started a runny nose on Saturday morning, and now on MOnday its turned to yellow snow. ugh gross.
Macey then woke up with a snotty nose this morning but hers is clear, just like his started out.

They are both eating/sleeping ok -- when do you go to the doctor? Does snot color alone warrant a trip?

 

I typically wait until there's a fever. Does your ped have a nurse's line to call? Maybe a quick call to them would help.

 

I would call before you bring them in.

I brought Lily in last week for green snot and was told sometimes it's better to just let it run its course than to put them on antibiotics. But they did a CBC on Lily to make sure her white blood cells were in the normal range before it was decided to not put her on anything, so that's why I'd call and ask.

 

I don't usually call right away just for snot. But if you are concerned by all means call and see what you should do to make them more comfy, or symptoms to watch out for that would warrant a trip in. :hug:

 

QUOTE(Leighann @ Apr 20 2009, 11:56 AM) [snapback]1281109[/snapback]
I don't usually call right away just for snot. But if you are concerned by all means call and see what you should do to make them more comfy, or symptoms to watch out for that would warrant a trip in. :hug:


What she said! Typically for cold symptoms, I wait a week or two and if they don't seem to be getting better or are worsening, then I call and triage with the nurse at the office.

 

Like Leighann, I would not call for snot only but if you are concerned by all means do call your pediatrician. I hope your little ones are feeling better soon!

 

I'm with everyone else - I probably wouldn't call just for snot color. However, if it is persistent or there is alot of fussiness, I might take them in. We have had lots of ear infections start out as harmless runny noses. One thing I would do would be frequent saline flushes to help keep the fluid flowing, to avoid a sinus or ear infection.

Hope they are doing better soon!

 

There is nothing a doctor can do about a cold or virus so I tend not to go and wait my kids out. Fevers can also come as a result of a virus or even teething so I don't take them for that either. The only time I take them to the doctor is if they are crying in pain since that is a sign of ear infection. If they were to not be eating for a long time then I would take them. Pulling on an ear is NOT a sign of ear infection by the way if you look at the medical studies done on it. I don't understand the people who rush their kids to the doctor at every little sign of sickness. It is worse to bring them to that germ infested waiting room in my opinion. I'm glad I'm not the only one with healthy kids out there! Rose has never been ill with even a cold but Daniel seems to get some colds.

 

only if the cold lasts more than 2 weeks or my DS gets a fever of over 102 (febrile seizure issue) I go have ears checked because my kids don't cry in pain with ear infections....

 

I was just coming to ask the same question! We have all had a cold for more than a week. One of the boys seems to be on the road to recovery, the other one still has loads of yellow snot that yesterday backed up into his eyes (and probably ears... sigh...). It's not a bad cold as colds go - it hasn't really slowed any of us down, and they don't seem to feel bad at all. They are still playing, happy, eating, drinking, pooping, etc. It's just sinus congestion.

I have only taken the boys to the doctor for colds 3-4 times. They have never recommended anything other than Tylenol/Motrin for fever, saline for snot and just wait it out. So unless their temps get high, they get miserable, have problems breathing, or sleeping, or their behaviour changes (like being lethargic, completely out of character, not eating or drinking) I generally just wait it out.

If you are concerned though, a call to the nurse can't hurt.