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Sould I bother the doctor with just the sniffles & a cough?

14 replies

Tangas · 30/09/2007 12:54

Hi
My DS has had a cough for a couple of days now, but today it sounds a little more chesty. He's also got the sniffles, his 5mo and this is his first cold. Is it likely the doctors will give him any thing for it. Am gonna make an app tomorrow, but is there anything I can do for him in the mean time?

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LadyOfWaffle · 30/09/2007 12:55

Run your bath/shower/sink tap on the hottest you can and stand with him in the bathroom, pack it with steam.

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Tangas · 30/09/2007 12:59

Good idea.. Thanx

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LazyLinePainterJane · 30/09/2007 13:04

Try raising the end of his cot up (if he sleeps in one), this will help to clear him whilst he sleeps. I would give him some Calpol as well as it's likely that he's achy.

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funnypeculiar · 30/09/2007 13:05

you could try a drop or so of tea tree oil/olbus oil too - that can help.
I doubt the docs can do much, tbh - but you could try the chemist for saline drop (or use ebm) to help clear the nose before feeding if he's finding that hard.
It's misearable when they're ill & you can't help, isn't it

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LadyOfWaffle · 30/09/2007 13:08

be careful of that olbus stuff, I think it was that a while ago spilt on a babies bed and it died from inhaling too much, I always steer clear. Obviously it's ok to use as directed, just that story sticks in my head.

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LazyLinePainterJane · 30/09/2007 13:10

I would stick with Carvol, if you can use it at 5 months. You could put some on his chest and some on his blankets. You can still use it conjunction with medicines as well. Can you use Medised at 5 months? It is supposed to help clear congestion as well as make them sleepy but never worked on DS.

Unless the cough persists, I wouldn't bother with the doctors.

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funnypeculiar · 30/09/2007 13:10

Good point - I think it is officially not recommended under 6 mths (although I doubt a drop or two in a room would do any harm)

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LIZS · 30/09/2007 13:42

You can use saline drops and a nasal aspirator to de-snot a blocked nose, which can cause them not to feed properly. Not sure what the minimum age is for Medised but the gp may be able to prescribe Otrivine drops if applicable to relieve stuffiness. Other than that a humidifier or vaporiser (Sudafed do a cheap plug in one)and raising cot head shodul help. tbh for a cold there isn't a lot more other than to treat the symptoms but wheeziness and a persistent high temperature, especially accompanied by poor appetite for fluids or sickiness, should be seen by a gp.