When to go to the doctor

My girls have had running noses for about two weeks, which advanced to a cough last week. I can hear the consistency of the cough changing (from dry to phelgmy) and they're not running fevers or acting exceptionally fussy (a bit whiny, not too bad).

My question is this: Do I take them to the doctor? My MIL is adamant that I should, but I just don't know. I never go to the doctor myself, I tend to let things run their course and get better on my own. I've not taken an antibiotic in years. I don't want to take the girls in and be prescribed an antibiotic for a cold that should just blow through and, maybe, boost their immune systems.

Am I being a little too tough on this? Should I take them in?

 

If there noses are running clear, they have no fever, are not pulling on ears, and are sleeping at night, and they are eating and drinking fine, I wouldn't take them in. My guys had the same thing in November. My mom told me to bring them in because it was going on 3 weeks, I did. It was a virus and I was told that it would take 6-8 weeks to clear. By week 7 they were fine.

 

To me, it sounds like it's running its course. Snotty noses lead to post-nasal drip which leads to dry coughs, which usually lead to wet coughs which usually lead to being over the virus. At least in my case.

Honestly, I haven't taken mine to the doctor for a cold unless they were tiny babies or the cold got stuck at a step in the progression (for R, wet cough for 3 weeks that didn't get better) or regressed/got worse (i.e. now running a fever, tugging at ears, bloody sinuses in our case.) I tend to think about what the doctor could or would do, if it's viral (and chances are it is) and they're progressing, they probably won't do anything (which is good!). And why subject them to the other sick germs at the doctor's office unless it's totally necessary?

Of course, I tend to be a little laid back unless it's a medical emergency, and my kids are healthy.

 

Our pedi has always said that if cold symptoms last more than 10-14 days, we should bring them in to be checked for infection, etc., so that's what I go by.

 

I probably wouldn't take them in either unless they started acting sick, ya know? Being lethargic, extra whiny, that sort of thing.

 

We've been going through the same thing for a few weeks. They are still playing, eating, drinking and sleeping so I haven't taken them to the doc.

 

If it's a cough that keeps you and them up for long periods of time at night, yes. If it's a cough that's manageable, no. Allison had a cough that wouldn't allow her to sleep for the past three days, I took her in because there was no sleep to be had. If she had been able to sleep, I would not have. Sleep is too important to miss, so if it hampers that, then they go...turns out she had bronchitis with no fever.

 

the only time I take them in (even as babies) was if it seemed to get worse toward the weekend - mostly to have their ears checked...our pedi would usually give me a script to fill IF I needed it over the weekend but wouldn't automatically fill it...I can usually tell with them when its just a cold or when it seems to progress to an ear infection

 

We also tend to be conservative with drs visits. I'm always afraid they'll come home with something nastier than what they went in for! Agree with the PP - if they are eating, sleeping and no fever and don't seem to be in any pain, it probably just needs to run it's course. You can always call the nurse at your peds office just to check.

 

Yep, if it's to the point where it's affecting something (sleep is usually my indicator here, they won't sleep at night), then I take them in. Otherwise, I have a standing script for a decongestant for the nighttime coughing, and otherwise I just let it run it's course.

 

Good to know I'm not just a mean mommy, as MIL wants me to believe! They had one night over Christmas when they would not sleep, but they were also in pack-n-plays, in a strange house, and in a VERY dry climate. Since then they've been okay, I think. I'm going to wait it out a little longer.

Thanks for the advise!

 

I absolutely agree with the pp's. The same signs that they mention are the ones that us pediatricians use to determine if we think further treatment is needed. If there is no fever, cough is not severe, kids are playful and eating/drinking, then the likelihood of it being bacterial is very low. Even most bronchitis and sinusitis is viral, and even if it is bacterial, antibiotics only shorten the illness by 1-2 days. Even with ear infections, studies have shown that over 50% of them will resolve on their own with no antibiotics, and the AAP recommends treating with pain/fever control and waiting at least 2 days before deciding to start antibiotic treatment.

Also, at this time of year you can get back to back viruses, so just because they are having symptoms for over 2 weeks does not mean that it is progressing.

 

I agree! My kids' colds usually last 2-4 weeks. Their colds always go away on their own and I have never taken them in to the doctor for a virus.