I was curious to know exactly how many viral infections Elijah has gotten since last August, which is when he got his first of the season. I'm pretty consistent about labeling all of my posts, so I pulled up all of the ones with the labels of sickness and croup. How totally yucky that there are 70 total posts with these two labels.
Between 8/8/08 and today (a span of eight months), Elijah had TWELVE viral/respiratory infections, five of those turning into croup and ALL of them involving a wretched cough.
Is this normal? I mean, he does go to daycare so he is exposed to plenty of germs there. Although we are always careful about germs, we have never been super strict and we typically take him freely out in public. But still, it just seems like this is beyond normal. I am wondering if we should have his immune function checked out? We have a pulmonology appointment coming up, so I will address my concerns then.
That's all I have right now, just a quick sickness lament. It is supposed to get nice again this week, so hopefully soon we'll have fun, outdoorsy pics and stories to share!
14 comments:
I'm not sure as each child (esp. heart kiddos) seem to have such wide severities of issues. Evan has asthma with a few flare ups every now and then. He has croup at least 2 times a year always in the winter. He is in preschool 3 days a week. I always hate to hear that Elijah is feeling bad again. I know how horrible it is when Evan does and Elijah seems to just not get a break! Maybe all us heart mama's should write a letter on behalf of Megan and encourage the cough to LEAVE!!!
Was he on the vent for a long time? It sounds like RAD...that is not under control. I've thought that for a while...but wanted to wait until you asked. :0) When he does have these flare ups...do you take him to pul. or pedi? I would suggest always going to pul for any kind of cough...just for consistency and documentation. *if you aren't already*
Anxious to see the follow up!
Also...*sorry* is he on any kind of reflux meds? Sometimes GERD won't show up on upper GI scans but indeed they reflux enough to cause respiratory junk. I personally LOVE Prevacid...just another thought...perhaps to ask a doc. :0)
Twelve viral/respiratory infections within 8 months does not sound normal but I am sure Elijah will get better soon. It's a good idea that you are going to see the pulmonologist and to address your concerns of the problems to him/her.
I wish you good luck when you see the specialist.
Have a relaxed and fun-filled week!
Lots of love from Ceci & Paul xoxo
have i ever suggested the healing rooms? i'll be at the one in lakeville next tuesday. give it a shot!
lets hang out soon. . .
blessings poured in, around and through!
cara
I don't have much experience with Luke and viral/respiratory infections, but I hold tightly to what our surgeon told us even before Luke was born: You can never call too many times or ask too many questions with these kiddos. 12 times is 11 times too many I say!
I also wanted to mention that it kind of blew me away when you mentioned not being able to make it to the heart walk again this year. I remember your post last year about the weather and it hit me that I have read about elijah for a year now! No wonder i love that little boy to pieces even though I've never met him!
Jesse
I would say Sophia has had as many respiratory infections as Elijah. We believe that reflux is a likely candidate for the root cause of Sophia's initial symptoms and we are treating that now.
But for us the bigger concern was the fact that every sniffle or cold, which let's face it - are a part of every toddler/preschoolers life, becomes an infection for Sophia. And worse yet, it often becomes a lower respiratory infection.
We think this has to do with the weakness of Sophia's lungs/cough. We don't know if this is an underlying part of her heart disease or is related to the multiple surgeries she has had to correct her heart disease. But the feeling we and her pediatrician have is that she doesn't expectorate strongly enough to clear her throat and chest and as a result of the phlegm staying in there she develops bacterial infections.
We have had full immunology work-ups and Sophia has no immune system deficiencies or abnormalities. I hope this helps with Elijah. We are wishing you all good health.
I've asked myself the same question about our kids lately... Praying that things ease up soon!
I don't have any knowledge about this, so I'm not much help :(
I just hope the little man is continuing to get better. Give him a great big hug from us!!
Sending lots of love,
Cindy
Vaeh's not battling the cough, but this silly runny nose!!! I'm ready to send it off with Mr. Elijah's cough... let's send them both to Siberia!
Hope you get some answers & that the sunny skies return soon! If you find them will you direct them in a south-easterly way?!
Sending lots of hugs!
Granted we haven't had 12 cases this year but our youngest(non heart kiddo) has had croup twice, RSV once, and has something else nasty right now, that I am trying to decide if I should take him in - he's also not in daycare - so I don't think it would be all that uncommon - especially being a heart kid.
I hope he gets better soon though and your healthy days gradually grow in number!
ditto everyone.
we've kept Isaac pretty healthy with daily pulmicort neb treatments AND prevacid (for the reflux).
I hope that little man can get better soon.
and...with Eli and Isaac...they are both on Claritin (so that the allergy drainage doesn't settle in the lungs)
I know that you don't like meds...who the heck does. I hope you find a combination that will help little E...
hug him tight for me!
kathy
I wonder if you might want to consult an immunologist? It stinks that Elijah seems to catch so much. I hope you get some answers soon!
I can understand your frustration!! It seems like Gracie gets everything.
I hope that the little man is feeling better and that the cough decided to pack a bag and leave!
I can't wait to see new pics of the cutie pie!!
<3,
Jennifer
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