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Original poster

How do I help DD2 over an nasty virus?

22 replies

pie · 28/12/2003 15:45

I have spent half the day at hospital with DD2 after being up half the night with her (and DH who put his mobile in the washing machine and was devastated but I'll save that for another time).

She has had a runny nose for about 4 weeks, but on Friday morning she started coughing and running fever of 102 which was still going this morning. Plus she has had ONE wet nappy in 48 hours.

So we got ears, throat and urine tested. All OK. Plus chest X-ray as she has a VERY wheezy chest and is very congested. But all clear as well.

So other then calpol (which the paediatrician said was needed as her fever wasn't coming down) anyone got anything they can recommend. Dr also said water, but I have always thought that wasn't any good for b/f babies.

I rang The Homeopathic Helpline and the homeopath said I had made her ill be eating too much chocolate over Christmas

OP posts:
Jimjams · 28/12/2003 15:51

stupid homeopath. You could try them again- had a discussion about the helpline at a recent course and both tutors said the advice you got was usually OK but sometimes dodgy! They recommended ringing again after a while if you got dodgy advice so you got someone different.

If she's clingy with it you could try pulsatilla - as its good for congestion- especially if she usually lies on her back with her arms up by her head (!!?!!) If she's very cross and angry with it you could try chamomilla. Drosera can be good if the cough gets dreadful and a bit sicky- althoguh there maybe better remedies than that.

DS2 had an awful cough with temp for about a week. The other thing to use of couse is essential oils. Something like tee trea and eucalyptus is always good. I put a few drops on a wet muslin and then drape over the radiator.

Lisa78 · 28/12/2003 15:53

Poor baby! Viral infections are always the same, plenty of rest and fluids, bit of fresh air, keep her temperature down and treat the symptoms
Agree re the water with b/f babies, but extra feeds might be the answer

popsycal · 28/12/2003 15:54

nurofen plus calpol
give both at same time...
well, i would give calpol (recommened dose for her age) then 3 hours later the recomemmneded dose of nurofen, then when you are allowed with timings give next dose of calpol etc etc
it is fine to do this as long as you only give the recommneded dose for each and approriate to her age

Lisa78 · 28/12/2003 15:54

And mobile in washing machine story please!
My DH once put his jeans in - no problem there but he had just got £300 from the BS and it was in his pocket.......

popsycal · 28/12/2003 15:54

forgot to ask how old she is - may be too young for nurofen...?

Original poster
pie · 28/12/2003 15:56

Thanks Jimjams. I told my mum about the what the homeopath said and she asked me if I had asked him what time his shift finishes so I would get another one.

I'm all out of Drosera after DD1 had a cough a couple of weeks ago, but when she coughs its as if she is can't breathe and you have to sit her up or she starts choking. To be honest though her 'mental' picture isn't that different, she is pretty much her self.

DH and I are having to take in shifts to sleep as she really does find it hard to breathe when she is coughing and sometimes in between.

I will look for the tea tree oil though, I've only tried menthol so fat.

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norma · 28/12/2003 15:56

Water is fine if she is not getting enough fluid into her through breastfeeding while she is so poorly. If her urine output was so low she really needs to have more fluid as little babies get dehydrated quickly. Is her tummy nice and soft? Keep monitoring her wees, and keeping her temp. down with calpol if you can, but don't hesitate to go back to hosp. if you are at all worried about her breathing or alertness. Hope she picks up soon, it's awful when they are ill.

Original poster
pie · 28/12/2003 15:58

Hi popsycal, she is only 12 weeks old so no nurofen for her.

Lisa, her sore throat is making it difficult for her to feed, but I am offering it to her lots. The no peeing for 48 hours scared the life out of me, then she urintated and cooed for the nice young doctor!

OP posts:
popsycal · 28/12/2003 15:59

ooops - sorry pie!!
forget all that advice then

Jimjams · 28/12/2003 16:02

IPEAC is good for a cough with a sensation of choking and suffocation with trouble catching the breath.

If it gets croupy then aconite or spongia.

Lisa78 · 28/12/2003 16:02

Poor lamb, don't know what you can do for a sore throat, but lots of feeds should help - and of course, the old cure all, lots of cuddles. Hope she feels better soon
And I agree, stupid homeopath - chocolate is the universal medicine!

SenoraPostrophe · 28/12/2003 16:05

Sounds nasty, Pie.

My only suggestion (being a homeopathy sceptic) would be to humidify her room a little to help with her breathing/cough by placing wet flannels and bowls of water around the place.

Hope she gets better soon.

Original poster
pie · 28/12/2003 16:06

Thats ok popsycal, I forgot to say how old she is in the OP

Thanks norma, her fontanelle is very raised, lips and eyes moist, just not pee.

Also her last 2 bowel movements were the colour of meconium (sp?), but the pead said she was fine just to sit it out.

As to the mobile story Lisa. I tried to go to bed around 11pm last night but DD2 was still coughing loads, she is much better when outside. So I went to bed and thought DH would just open the windows, but nooooo he decided to go for a walk at 12am last night. About 1.30am he comes bursting into the bedroom ranting that he can't get the washing machine open and his phone is in there. Turns out whilst he was walking round London in the middle of the night he was sick all over himself, came home, DD2 started screaming he put his jeans in the machine, tired ill etc...oh well. Its not insured so its screwed. Have been trying to reassure him that his not the biggest idiot in the world all day.

OP posts:
Original poster
pie · 28/12/2003 16:08

Ok Jimjams I'll have a root around and see if I have the Ipeac, I know I have Spongia.

SP, DH will probably buy a humidifier tomorrow, we're making do with an oil burner just for the vapours right now.

But I've been avoiding chocolate since yesterday, I feel much too guilt to eat any!

OP posts:
popsycal · 28/12/2003 16:08

ds had two boughts of bronchilitus last winter aged btween 4 and 6 months and hospitalised both times.
sorry that i have no advice.....others seem to be sorting that out for you - but lots of sympathy!!!

Demented · 28/12/2003 22:04

Hugs Pie {{{{}}}}. Thinking of you.

Lisa78 · 28/12/2003 22:13

fontanelle raised? Isn't that more serious?

popsycal · 28/12/2003 22:14

fonatneele SUNKEN is bad
raised is good

codswallop · 28/12/2003 22:19

god we have had a very high tem p and nappies form hell - lasted for 4 days

norma · 28/12/2003 22:59

Actually if it is too raised it is a bad sign. If it is normal ie only becomes raised when baby crying or straining that is fine. Raised all the time may signify riased intra-cranial pressure or be a symptom of meningitis.

popsycal · 28/12/2003 23:01

ooop[s sorry - i know what norma means.....
sorry to confude people...
i will shut up now
my advice is just confusing everyone

Original poster
pie · 28/12/2003 23:05

oops, caused some confusion here didn't I. I just meant it wasn't sunken, paediatrician checked it so I'm sure DD2 is fine.

Thanks for all the messages DD2 is sleeping again, so hopefully she will be better soon.

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