Baby son has a cough

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starseeker

New member
Hiya!<br>Firstly, please excuse me if this comes off as ignorant at all - my son was diagnosed about eight weeks ago (at six weeks of age).<br>Basically, he has had a dry, "barking" cough throughout the night, and a stuffy nose (the stuffy nose being something that he often gets). He hasn't really been sick before. Is this serious? I tried calling the CF clinic/respiratory department at our hospital, but they didn't answer (I don't think they are in on weekends).<br>I know antibiotics are used a lot in cases of illness/suspected illness, so I was wondering, if he has a bug, would he need those straight away? Again, apologies if this comes off as ignorant - I'm learning!<br>Thanks very much!
 
S

starseeker

New member
Hiya!<br>Firstly, please excuse me if this comes off as ignorant at all - my son was diagnosed about eight weeks ago (at six weeks of age).<br>Basically, he has had a dry, "barking" cough throughout the night, and a stuffy nose (the stuffy nose being something that he often gets). He hasn't really been sick before. Is this serious? I tried calling the CF clinic/respiratory department at our hospital, but they didn't answer (I don't think they are in on weekends).<br>I know antibiotics are used a lot in cases of illness/suspected illness, so I was wondering, if he has a bug, would he need those straight away? Again, apologies if this comes off as ignorant - I'm learning!<br>Thanks very much!
 
K

kitomd21

New member
He wouldn't necessarily need antibiotics right away...but every patient is different! Every CF doctor is different - just to make it more difficult! Generally, we've been told that antibiotics are needed if the cough lasts more than five days. There are different "norms" for each patient. Some will cough in the morning or after napping, others may not cough at all. He may be culturing something that warrants treatment because there may be a flare up. It really does depend on how they are overall. His doctor will be able to discern if antibiotics are needed. In addition, infants around your son's age are often stuffy regardless of CF as they are adjusting to life outside of the womb (i.e., without amniotic fluid). Hope this helps!!
 
K

kitomd21

New member
He wouldn't necessarily need antibiotics right away...but every patient is different! Every CF doctor is different - just to make it more difficult! Generally, we've been told that antibiotics are needed if the cough lasts more than five days. There are different "norms" for each patient. Some will cough in the morning or after napping, others may not cough at all. He may be culturing something that warrants treatment because there may be a flare up. It really does depend on how they are overall. His doctor will be able to discern if antibiotics are needed. In addition, infants around your son's age are often stuffy regardless of CF as they are adjusting to life outside of the womb (i.e., without amniotic fluid). Hope this helps!!
 
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Mommafirst

Guest
Like Katie said, most CF centers want to know once the cough goes beyond 5 days. I would take a deep breath, and plan to call the center on Monday. They KNOW that you are new to this and they know how to walk you through it. There is a good chance its just a kid thing, but if the cold and cough kick up something he's culturing, the best way to manage it will be oral antibiotics.

Unless he is having trouble breathing, it is find to wait a few days to call. I remember how anxious I was the first cold, but you are not alone.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Like Katie said, most CF centers want to know once the cough goes beyond 5 days. I would take a deep breath, and plan to call the center on Monday. They KNOW that you are new to this and they know how to walk you through it. There is a good chance its just a kid thing, but if the cold and cough kick up something he's culturing, the best way to manage it will be oral antibiotics.

Unless he is having trouble breathing, it is find to wait a few days to call. I remember how anxious I was the first cold, but you are not alone.
 
S

starseeker

New member
Thanks very much to both of you. :) This has relieved my worry quite a bit, heh, as well as the fact that his cough has died down quite a bit. I will still call if it's present tomorrow (Monday for me), but at this stage I probably won't need to. Thanks again!
 
S

starseeker

New member
Thanks very much to both of you. :) This has relieved my worry quite a bit, heh, as well as the fact that his cough has died down quite a bit. I will still call if it's present tomorrow (Monday for me), but at this stage I probably won't need to. Thanks again!
 
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imported_Momto2

New member
a humidifyer will help the barking cough, I'm currently dealing with that now *ruff* Keep a close eye on the amount and color of his sputum. If it increases in amt and turns fun colors, call right away.
 
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imported_Momto2

New member
a humidifyer will help the barking cough, I'm currently dealing with that now *ruff* Keep a close eye on the amount and color of his sputum. If it increases in amt and turns fun colors, call right away.
 
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imagine04

New member
Personally, not to sound rude to the above poster, we were told to NEVER use humidifiers as they can harbor all kinds of bacterias that will then be emitted into the air. This is what *we* were told and every center and patient has their own ways of doing things -- just not something i'd ever advocate doing because i'd be to worried about the possibility of those bugs entering our little ones systems. <br><br>And like the other posters said, anything lasting 5 or more days usually warrants antibiotics but i'd still call clinic to give them a heads up of whats going on so they have record of it. Hope your sons cough goes away! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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imagine04

New member
Personally, not to sound rude to the above poster, we were told to NEVER use humidifiers as they can harbor all kinds of bacterias that will then be emitted into the air. This is what *we* were told and every center and patient has their own ways of doing things -- just not something i'd ever advocate doing because i'd be to worried about the possibility of those bugs entering our little ones systems. <br><br>And like the other posters said, anything lasting 5 or more days usually warrants antibiotics but i'd still call clinic to give them a heads up of whats going on so they have record of it. Hope your sons cough goes away! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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samb

New member
I dont use a humidifier but was told by my cf doctor if it is a cold air humidifier and you are using distilled water that it it fine to use.
 
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samb

New member
I dont use a humidifier but was told by my cf doctor if it is a cold air humidifier and you are using distilled water that it it fine to use.
 
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imagine04

New member
I wish there was a straight answer from every clinic that was the exact same.
It seems every clinic gives different advice on what to do or not to do. Really irritates me <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"><br>
<br>We were told to not ever use any type of humidifier as there are lines you cannot clean and bacteria is still able to grow. Water is water... i could throw a jug of distilled water down and let it sit and it'll still grow mold. Don't get me wrong, we bought a cold water one thinking the same thing when Parker was first dx'ed -- but after hearing other parents and more specifically clinic so against it i just couldn't chance it. Scares me.
 
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imagine04

New member
I wish there was a straight answer from every clinic that was the exact same.
It seems every clinic gives different advice on what to do or not to do. Really irritates me <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"><br>
<br>We were told to not ever use any type of humidifier as there are lines you cannot clean and bacteria is still able to grow. Water is water... i could throw a jug of distilled water down and let it sit and it'll still grow mold. Don't get me wrong, we bought a cold water one thinking the same thing when Parker was first dx'ed -- but after hearing other parents and more specifically clinic so against it i just couldn't chance it. Scares me.
 
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