pls help....mu three year old son is recovering from the swine flu. he started a fever (104.1 at its highest), cough, lethargy, loss of appetite, mucus coming out of his eyes, and runny nose last tuesday. he was prescribed tamiflu, and with much discussion between my husband and i, we did not give it to him. we were told to look out for his cough getting a "wet" sound to it. it appears this is starting. is there anything i can do herbally that will help get rid of that wet, barking cough? i want to try natural products first and then i will bring him to the doctor if it doesnt get better. any timely advice? i need to do something asap.
Hi,
Pardon me for saying so but that doesn't sound like the H1N1... Sounds like another virus that is going around.
Was there a positive test for H1N1 done on your child? This is the problem, docs are labelling H1N1 without testing the patients (as per the CDC's recs to not test and assume it's H1N1--which is ridiculous).
My baby has the barking cough, that is croup and happens when a virus inflames a certain area of a childs upper respiratory system. Go to Urgent Care or ER if he has labored breating, is blue, or very uncomfortable in that he can't breathe properly, is dehydrated, etc... They can give him a breathing treatment. We have been twice to ER with our baby girl.
We are using cool midst humidifier too and that is helping a lot. Pick up one of the animal themes ones from Target, 34.99... It's the best one we've ever had.
Hope this helps! I know you are up late/early like me.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Estes
He tested positive for the flu, type A, but since the swine flu and "regular" flu are treated the same, he said he would not specifically test him for H1N1. However, he said the he "knew" that he had the H1N1 strand "by looking at him." Don't know how to take that, but I did my research on Tamilflu and thought it was too strong and had too many risk factors. His eyes stopped oozing the grren mucus but his cough is still persistent. I am using a cool mist humidifier. I also own a nebulizer and have breathing treatments for him from getting bronchitis a while ago. Should I just go ahead with the breathing treatments or just take him in? His breathing is not labored at all. His cough just sounds "wet" and "barky." Thanks so much for your warm regards. It's much appreciated!
Hi Again... I think they are going crazy with the H1N1 thing due to the CDC being in bed with Big Pharma. Their protocol is confusing and is making matters worse for us parents with these little ones with viruses that need to be treated and not have the complication of the whole H1N1 mass vaccine hysteria thrown in. H1N1 by looking at him? That's a bit of stretch but hardly a good scientific conclusion.
That barky cough is croup, we just got through that and now my 9 month old and 5 year old have something new! Of course that area that was already inflammed is causing barking again. I take my kids to urgent care or ER.
Watch for signs of pnemonia, dehydration, loss of appetite, doesn't want to be held at all, inconsolable, not sleeping... These are all red flags. Does he have coughing fits and then throw up? You should take him to the doctor if you think it will help him and help with your anxiety level. I would definitely give him the breathing treatments, when they gave those to my baby at the ER it helped her so much and felt her chest and body relax. They only had me hold the end of the tube to her face. A masque on her was of the question (hard at 9 mos).
However, they can't cure a virus it's a matter of waiting it out... There is no need to go sit with a bunch of sickies in a waiting room and risk getting another virus while you are there unless you must. ;-) Hubby and I used to get so bummed that after each well visit our kids would get a new virus. It was no coincidence.
Sounds like you and I are in the same boat... let's hope we both get some rest tonight!
Warmly.
PS--
This is from WebMD:
Croup:
Croup is an infectious illness of the respiratory system involving the voice box and vocal cords (larynx), windpipe (trachea), and the airways leading to the lungs (bronchial tubes). It is usually caused by many different viruses, including those responsible for the common cold and influenza. Occasionally, it is caused by a bacterial infection. Croup can result in serious breathing difficulties in children. It is more common in babies over 6 months of age and young children, and it occurs more often in boys than girls. It tends to occur more often in the winter months when the weather is colder.
Approximately two or three days after being infected, the child notices increasing hoarseness and sore throat. A hacking "croupy" cough develops which sounds like a barking seal and becomes worse at night. Gagging and vomiting can occur with coughing. The cough is usually accompanied by a fever (100.4 to 104 degrees F; 38 to 40 degrees C). The infection causes swelling of the larynx and impairs air passage. A harsh crowing sound ("stridor") during inhaling can be heard when the child's air passage becomes abnormally narrowed. If this should occur, immediate evaluation by a physician is recommended. Even though most children with croup are cared for at home, those with breathing difficulties, high fever, or dehydration may need to be hospitalized. Infants with croup are grumpy, tired, and have poor appetites. The major part of the illness lasts for three days. A wet cough can continue for another two weeks. It is also possible to acquire the infection more than once.
Croup is caused by a influenza viruses... Sounds like you are on your way out of the woods. Just keep that mister going strong and definitely use the breathing treatments! Better than sitting in an uncomfy ER or peds office.
But if anything changes... Go to Urgent Care or ER or call an on call pediatric care nurse at your local hospital. We went to ER when her stomach was concaving to breathe, looked really strange.
All the best,
Cass Estes
CDC has stopped testing for H1N1 several months ago. The science is settled!