Poor DS - he seems to be getting every cold, cough, sneeze, virus etc going is this normal?

[Smurfs]

Good Morning all,

DS started reception in September 2007 and since then we have had a stream of colds, coughs, temperatures, Chicken Pox, irritable hip and now another horrid cold and pain in hip. He has had more time off than he has been at school this year. DS is tall for his age looks ike a 6 year old even though he is a summer baby and has not even turned 5 yet.

I am starting to think that it could be something more serious and would appreciate any advice.

the stream of coughs, colds, chicken pox is all normal when children start school, but I have no idea about the hip pain. That needs to be checked by a doctor, if it hasn't already been checked.

Also you could ask you GP to check his blood, just to make sure his iron levels are high enough, and discuss whether iron and vitamin supplements are necessary.

Thanks belgo, I am planning on taking DS to the Dr's yet again today and will ask for a blood test to be done. Thank you.

DS got a horrible fluey thing when he was 3 and afterwards I bought Vivioptal - a multi vit syrup to build him up again. I have pretty much kept him on it since. He is now 6.5 and has gone though Reception and Yr 1 with only the odd day off for a cold.

He takes it Mon-Fri (never remember at the weekends!) and I don't bother over the summer. This year for some reason I didn't get back into the habit of giving it after the Xmas holidays. He has just had another fluey thing which seemed to take him much longer to get over than would usually and then he got conjuntivitis. We are back on the Vivioptal!

I don't think a multivit can hurt. DS was 3 when I started him on it and is now 6.5. He doesn't eat that well - has an aversion to anything healthy.

And I remember once reading about supermarket oranges being tested and having NO vit. C - so even if you think they are eating well you can't guarantee the level of vits they are actually taking in. And the RDA of vits are actually quite low.

kiwis are good. vitamin C is necessary for the absoption of iron.

thanks all, I have got an appointment for this morning so will see what they say and let you know

We have been refered to orthopedics this afternoon not sure of that is good or bad but will have to see.

Hope it's all OK.

Well.....we spent 4 and a half hours at the hospital , had bloods taken and had an ultrasound on DS hip. First set of blood tests came back clear for anaemia, diabetes etc and ultrasound was clear. Left hospital with instructions for them to call me with the second set of results as was by that stage having a complete sense of humour failure...in my defence had DS and DD (2.5) with me and the DDg (darling dog) at home would be needing a wee by that time. Spoke to Dr and she said come back if it doesn't correct itself in the next 2 days ..clearly insane. So we wait and see...