So confused (to the point of tears). Flu related

amother

Bisque

Wed, Jan 25 2017, 8:54 pm

I'm so confused, overwhelmed and worried.

My child has been getting sick (fever, sometimes with cold and cough,
Sometimes without), every third week for a few months.
Last time we gave antibiotics to get rid of a persistent cough. It finally went away.
Now he's sick again. I brought him to the doctor after 3 days of low (101-102) fever. Dr suspected flu. He said I can give tamiflu. My son did not get fever today so I didn't give him the tamiflu (dr said not to give it to him unless his fever is over 101).
Then just now I took his temp. It's 103. I don't have the tamiflu (it's in the pharmacy which is closed) and anyway, child fell asleep.
He is acting normal- a little less hungry but still funny and alert and active and drinking as much (or as little) as he always does.
But he has this fever! And I'm so confused. I read that the flu can be dangerous in young children Sad

I'm worried about this constant fever (I am getting his blood tested next week but I'm the meantime I'm worried). Im just confused about how to treat this specific sickness and I'm also worried about him constantly getting sick. I wish I had a doctor who had all the time in the world for me. We used to have that in New York but we moved to Lakewood and all of the doctors have too many patients and too many doctors in the practice for there to be such individualized care like I had in New York.
I'm so worried. Can someone help me?

amother

Scarlet

Wed, Jan 25 2017, 9:07 pm

amother wrote:

You're doing great. If he had a dangerous flu, he'd likely be miserable. Take his temp again before you go to sleep. Then see what the morning brings.

amother

Bisque

Wed, Jan 25 2017, 9:10 pm

runninglate wrote:

The Dr suspected flu? Isnt there a test? If you don't feel you have a good Dr there, I would drive into New York to consult your old Dr. Refuah shleima.

Dr didn't want to do a test because he said it's only 70% effective.
I would drive to Ny but I have New Jersey insurance and I'm also pregnant b"H and get very very tired even when driving locally. I can't see myself driving 1.5 hrs each way. (My husband can't take off work- he offered to pay for a driver to take us but I feel like that's crazy. I can't make that the norm for us. We live in Lakewood now and we have to learn how to manage. I wonder what everyone else does What

)

DVOM

Wed, Jan 25 2017, 9:20 pm

Bisque, this sounds awful! I'm so sorry for you and your little guy!

I live in Lakewood too. Not sure how long your here for, but there are good doctors here. My almost two-year-old has had a winter very similar to the one you described your son having, sick with fever, cold, cough, and wheezing every few weeks. Two months ago he had the flu. This month it was kocksacki, the nastiest, most awful virus I've ever seen. We've been to the doctor multiple times with each bout of illness, and they've always tested him for flu, strep, the works, just to be safe. If your not happy with your doctor, switch. If you like you can PM me; we actually tried out a few practices here before settling with our current practice. We're really happy with them. During one of his sick spells my doctor actually called us at home in the evening to find out if he was any less cranky and if he'd eaten or drank anything (I'd been in earlier in the day, worried that he was getting dehydrated.)

The Tamaflu did help reduce the flu symptoms. If you wanna walk on the wild side, I've got some leftover from our last bout of flu. Your welcome to it.

Get a good night sleep Bisque! Hopefully, he'll feel better in the morning.

amother

Bisque

Wed, Jan 25 2017, 9:25 pm

lifesagift wrote:

I'm more concerned that he has pneumonia since he's had it for a while; he would've gotten over the flu a while ago. Coughing n fever, pls have him checked again

Dr wasn't concerned about his breathing.
This fever is a new fever, separate from the one 3 weeks ago. No cough this time just a runny nose

seeker

Wed, Jan 25 2017, 10:50 pm

I'd also worry about pneumonia. You don't need to be coughing. Flu wouldn't last months, even on and off. Could be your kid just is prone to fever but why does your doctor seem to be so casual about this? Someone please educate me, I never heard of giving Tamiflu depending on fever level, and also always thought it had to be given immediately at the onset of symptoms - usually happens when others in the family/class/etc already had flu so you start to suspect it the second the first fever starts.

ectomorph

Wed, Jan 25 2017, 11:45 pm

amother wrote:

anyone who has read my medical posts knows that I'm usually an alarmist.

However, my toddler son runs a 103 fever, no other symptoms, quite regularly.
once every two weeks. I recently took him to a specialist for his food intolerances and was told that it's called episodic fever of toddlers and it's fine, nothing to do about it.

If your son gets better within his usual time frame I wonder if maybe he has something similar?

yogabird

Wed, Jan 25 2017, 11:53 pm

I think it's very possible for a 2 year old to catch a different virus every 3 weeks. If this is a new fever and the doctor listened to his lungs and said they sound clear, and he's acting fine, I honestly wouldn't worry. Even if it's the flu. I wouldn't give tamiflu unless it was a confirmed flu (nasal swab) and even then probably only if there was extra reason for concern (compromised lungs or something like that.)

amother

Pearl

Thu, Jan 26 2017, 12:04 am

I don't know which Lakewood Dr. you are using, but you may want to switch and try someone else. I find my childrens pediatrician to be very available, sometimes amazingly so.

It could be that you need to do a better job navigating the office staff, asking for appts. at less busy hours, requesting a long appt. things like that.

amother

Chocolate

Thu, Jan 26 2017, 11:51 am

We switched to dr. Rebecca perril of tinton falls NJ for this reason. Her office is by the outlets, right off exit 100a. It's her practice and she also has a very goodNP. She knows her patients very well, medically and personally. She is warm and my kids and I love her. If it's an emergency during non office hours, you call her cell phone and talk to her directly. She also has rights at Monmouth and jersey shore, so if your kids are ever admitted to the hospital, she will be their attending dr and see them every day in the hospital. All the drs in jersey shore know her. I know a few drs that use her as a pediatrician for their own children. For me, the peace of mind I have regarding my children's health makes driving a little further for every drs visit worth it. Plus there is never a long wait to see her. I know of a few lakewood families that also use her. Her practice is called shore care pediatrics. Hope your child feels better!

Orchid

Thu, Jan 26 2017, 11:57 am

Tamiflu must be given at the very beginning of flu.
It is not given later on based on how high the temp is.
Sounds like he has different things going on - what with temp several weeks apart.
In addition to finding a good doctor, you can do things to boost his immune system on your own so that he's not susceptible to everything out there. Vitamin c, etc.

PAMOM

Thu, Jan 26 2017, 8:00 pm

I know I'm repeating but does your baby have asthma? Does his fever go down with Tylenol or whatever your doctor suggests? If it does and he's not coughing and acting ok, I wouldn't worry. If he's not acting ok--and you'll know --take him in. Everything other posters have said about Tamiflu is correct. In addition, many pediatricians feel that the potential side effects outweigh the benefits. Having said all that, you need to feel confident with your doctor. I'd probably find a new one.

amother

White

Thu, Jan 26 2017, 10:12 pm

I'm just another Lakewood mother who is thrilled with her pediatrician. I also started off in NY at a very well known group. Honestly, I am more impressed with my Dr. here. He gave me his personal cell number and though he has many patients, I feel like he is really on top of my family. If you are uncomfortable where you are - there are so many wonderful local options. Refuah shelaima and may you find the right shaliach!