Sam's cold

hmw

New member
Who rx'ed the antibiotic- the pediatrician or the cf doctor?

IMO, I would consult with the cf doctor first when your baby gets sick rather than the pediatrician, since they are more knowledgeable about the course our kids' illnesses take and how to treat exacerbations since, as Amanda pointed out, run of the mill bugs can so quickly turn into more- but also because there are other triggers that can set off the symptoms your child has experienced (like the perfume) and they can better determine when abx are appropriate and when other measures would be the better move.

Do you have a specific 'sick plan' to follow as soon as your baby starts showing signs of illness, i.e. increased chest pt along with any nebs you do with it, etc? If this protocol is started RIGHT away at the first sign of trouble sometimes it can help head off a full-blown exacerbation.

I agree, in my non-expert, mom opinion, that starting an abx at the very first day of illness seems a bit extreme. Our sick plan calls for applying other measures first (increased airway clearance, a change in one of her medications for a period of time) as well as seeing certain changes in her baseline symptoms other than just a change in mucus color before going to an abx, but Amanda is right in that our kids often DO need one much quicker than a typical kid because of the nature of CF (the bugs they often culture all the time, the environment in the lungs, how very quickly their health can decline, etc.)

As far as 'can it be two colds by 4 months of age' ...absolutely. My 10yr old, who we know without a doubt does not have cf, had his 1st cold at 6 weeks and a couple ear infections and a few other bugs by earlier than 4 months. (In looking back there is no doubt he was sick more often during his 1st year, actually, than my dd with cf and she was not even dx'ed yet.) It had me at my wits' end wondering what was wrong with HIM- but a lot has to do with what time of year they are born: it's flu season and so much is going around. Unfortunately with your baby's cf, it does set them up for more complications the more often they get sick, but in and of itself, yes, it is possible to catch frequent bugs. But I would keep in close contact with your cf center on this to be sure he gets the best care possible.

I hope your son is feeling better soon and doesn't get any worse! Hang in there!
 

hmw

New member
Who rx'ed the antibiotic- the pediatrician or the cf doctor?

IMO, I would consult with the cf doctor first when your baby gets sick rather than the pediatrician, since they are more knowledgeable about the course our kids' illnesses take and how to treat exacerbations since, as Amanda pointed out, run of the mill bugs can so quickly turn into more- but also because there are other triggers that can set off the symptoms your child has experienced (like the perfume) and they can better determine when abx are appropriate and when other measures would be the better move.

Do you have a specific 'sick plan' to follow as soon as your baby starts showing signs of illness, i.e. increased chest pt along with any nebs you do with it, etc? If this protocol is started RIGHT away at the first sign of trouble sometimes it can help head off a full-blown exacerbation.

I agree, in my non-expert, mom opinion, that starting an abx at the very first day of illness seems a bit extreme. Our sick plan calls for applying other measures first (increased airway clearance, a change in one of her medications for a period of time) as well as seeing certain changes in her baseline symptoms other than just a change in mucus color before going to an abx, but Amanda is right in that our kids often DO need one much quicker than a typical kid because of the nature of CF (the bugs they often culture all the time, the environment in the lungs, how very quickly their health can decline, etc.)

As far as 'can it be two colds by 4 months of age' ...absolutely. My 10yr old, who we know without a doubt does not have cf, had his 1st cold at 6 weeks and a couple ear infections and a few other bugs by earlier than 4 months. (In looking back there is no doubt he was sick more often during his 1st year, actually, than my dd with cf and she was not even dx'ed yet.) It had me at my wits' end wondering what was wrong with HIM- but a lot has to do with what time of year they are born: it's flu season and so much is going around. Unfortunately with your baby's cf, it does set them up for more complications the more often they get sick, but in and of itself, yes, it is possible to catch frequent bugs. But I would keep in close contact with your cf center on this to be sure he gets the best care possible.

I hope your son is feeling better soon and doesn't get any worse! Hang in there!
 

hmw

New member
Who rx'ed the antibiotic- the pediatrician or the cf doctor?

IMO, I would consult with the cf doctor first when your baby gets sick rather than the pediatrician, since they are more knowledgeable about the course our kids' illnesses take and how to treat exacerbations since, as Amanda pointed out, run of the mill bugs can so quickly turn into more- but also because there are other triggers that can set off the symptoms your child has experienced (like the perfume) and they can better determine when abx are appropriate and when other measures would be the better move.

Do you have a specific 'sick plan' to follow as soon as your baby starts showing signs of illness, i.e. increased chest pt along with any nebs you do with it, etc? If this protocol is started RIGHT away at the first sign of trouble sometimes it can help head off a full-blown exacerbation.

I agree, in my non-expert, mom opinion, that starting an abx at the very first day of illness seems a bit extreme. Our sick plan calls for applying other measures first (increased airway clearance, a change in one of her medications for a period of time) as well as seeing certain changes in her baseline symptoms other than just a change in mucus color before going to an abx, but Amanda is right in that our kids often DO need one much quicker than a typical kid because of the nature of CF (the bugs they often culture all the time, the environment in the lungs, how very quickly their health can decline, etc.)

As far as 'can it be two colds by 4 months of age' ...absolutely. My 10yr old, who we know without a doubt does not have cf, had his 1st cold at 6 weeks and a couple ear infections and a few other bugs by earlier than 4 months. (In looking back there is no doubt he was sick more often during his 1st year, actually, than my dd with cf and she was not even dx'ed yet.) It had me at my wits' end wondering what was wrong with HIM- but a lot has to do with what time of year they are born: it's flu season and so much is going around. Unfortunately with your baby's cf, it does set them up for more complications the more often they get sick, but in and of itself, yes, it is possible to catch frequent bugs. But I would keep in close contact with your cf center on this to be sure he gets the best care possible.

I hope your son is feeling better soon and doesn't get any worse! Hang in there!
 

hmw

New member
Who rx'ed the antibiotic- the pediatrician or the cf doctor?

IMO, I would consult with the cf doctor first when your baby gets sick rather than the pediatrician, since they are more knowledgeable about the course our kids' illnesses take and how to treat exacerbations since, as Amanda pointed out, run of the mill bugs can so quickly turn into more- but also because there are other triggers that can set off the symptoms your child has experienced (like the perfume) and they can better determine when abx are appropriate and when other measures would be the better move.

Do you have a specific 'sick plan' to follow as soon as your baby starts showing signs of illness, i.e. increased chest pt along with any nebs you do with it, etc? If this protocol is started RIGHT away at the first sign of trouble sometimes it can help head off a full-blown exacerbation.

I agree, in my non-expert, mom opinion, that starting an abx at the very first day of illness seems a bit extreme. Our sick plan calls for applying other measures first (increased airway clearance, a change in one of her medications for a period of time) as well as seeing certain changes in her baseline symptoms other than just a change in mucus color before going to an abx, but Amanda is right in that our kids often DO need one much quicker than a typical kid because of the nature of CF (the bugs they often culture all the time, the environment in the lungs, how very quickly their health can decline, etc.)

As far as 'can it be two colds by 4 months of age' ...absolutely. My 10yr old, who we know without a doubt does not have cf, had his 1st cold at 6 weeks and a couple ear infections and a few other bugs by earlier than 4 months. (In looking back there is no doubt he was sick more often during his 1st year, actually, than my dd with cf and she was not even dx'ed yet.) It had me at my wits' end wondering what was wrong with HIM- but a lot has to do with what time of year they are born: it's flu season and so much is going around. Unfortunately with your baby's cf, it does set them up for more complications the more often they get sick, but in and of itself, yes, it is possible to catch frequent bugs. But I would keep in close contact with your cf center on this to be sure he gets the best care possible.

I hope your son is feeling better soon and doesn't get any worse! Hang in there!
 

hmw

New member
Who rx'ed the antibiotic- the pediatrician or the cf doctor?
<br />
<br />IMO, I would consult with the cf doctor first when your baby gets sick rather than the pediatrician, since they are more knowledgeable about the course our kids' illnesses take and how to treat exacerbations since, as Amanda pointed out, run of the mill bugs can so quickly turn into more- but also because there are other triggers that can set off the symptoms your child has experienced (like the perfume) and they can better determine when abx are appropriate and when other measures would be the better move.
<br />
<br />Do you have a specific 'sick plan' to follow as soon as your baby starts showing signs of illness, i.e. increased chest pt along with any nebs you do with it, etc? If this protocol is started RIGHT away at the first sign of trouble sometimes it can help head off a full-blown exacerbation.
<br />
<br />I agree, in my non-expert, mom opinion, that starting an abx at the very first day of illness seems a bit extreme. Our sick plan calls for applying other measures first (increased airway clearance, a change in one of her medications for a period of time) as well as seeing certain changes in her baseline symptoms other than just a change in mucus color before going to an abx, but Amanda is right in that our kids often DO need one much quicker than a typical kid because of the nature of CF (the bugs they often culture all the time, the environment in the lungs, how very quickly their health can decline, etc.)
<br />
<br />As far as 'can it be two colds by 4 months of age' ...absolutely. My 10yr old, who we know without a doubt does not have cf, had his 1st cold at 6 weeks and a couple ear infections and a few other bugs by earlier than 4 months. (In looking back there is no doubt he was sick more often during his 1st year, actually, than my dd with cf and she was not even dx'ed yet.) It had me at my wits' end wondering what was wrong with HIM- but a lot has to do with what time of year they are born: it's flu season and so much is going around. Unfortunately with your baby's cf, it does set them up for more complications the more often they get sick, but in and of itself, yes, it is possible to catch frequent bugs. But I would keep in close contact with your cf center on this to be sure he gets the best care possible.
<br />
<br />I hope your son is feeling better soon and doesn't get any worse! Hang in there!
 

rosesixtyfive

New member
Thanks, Harriet and Amanda. I'm so glad I found this website. Everyone here is so knowledgable. His pediatrician prescribed antibiotics, and the CF center closed at noon on Friday. His CF care center is two hours away, so that does complicate things. I called them before we left for the pediatrician's office, but was not able to talk to them after the visit. After hearing what Amanda had to say, I went ahead and started the antibiotic. I feel okay about it, because I did give him yesterday to get better, and he's just not. The mucus is stickier, and he's very congested in his nose.
 

rosesixtyfive

New member
Thanks, Harriet and Amanda. I'm so glad I found this website. Everyone here is so knowledgable. His pediatrician prescribed antibiotics, and the CF center closed at noon on Friday. His CF care center is two hours away, so that does complicate things. I called them before we left for the pediatrician's office, but was not able to talk to them after the visit. After hearing what Amanda had to say, I went ahead and started the antibiotic. I feel okay about it, because I did give him yesterday to get better, and he's just not. The mucus is stickier, and he's very congested in his nose.
 

rosesixtyfive

New member
Thanks, Harriet and Amanda. I'm so glad I found this website. Everyone here is so knowledgable. His pediatrician prescribed antibiotics, and the CF center closed at noon on Friday. His CF care center is two hours away, so that does complicate things. I called them before we left for the pediatrician's office, but was not able to talk to them after the visit. After hearing what Amanda had to say, I went ahead and started the antibiotic. I feel okay about it, because I did give him yesterday to get better, and he's just not. The mucus is stickier, and he's very congested in his nose.
 

rosesixtyfive

New member
Thanks, Harriet and Amanda. I'm so glad I found this website. Everyone here is so knowledgable. His pediatrician prescribed antibiotics, and the CF center closed at noon on Friday. His CF care center is two hours away, so that does complicate things. I called them before we left for the pediatrician's office, but was not able to talk to them after the visit. After hearing what Amanda had to say, I went ahead and started the antibiotic. I feel okay about it, because I did give him yesterday to get better, and he's just not. The mucus is stickier, and he's very congested in his nose.
 

rosesixtyfive

New member
Thanks, Harriet and Amanda. I'm so glad I found this website. Everyone here is so knowledgable. His pediatrician prescribed antibiotics, and the CF center closed at noon on Friday. His CF care center is two hours away, so that does complicate things. I called them before we left for the pediatrician's office, but was not able to talk to them after the visit. After hearing what Amanda had to say, I went ahead and started the antibiotic. I feel okay about it, because I did give him yesterday to get better, and he's just not. The mucus is stickier, and he's very congested in his nose.
 
C

Cherylwithone

Guest
Granted my daughter is 16 now but she has been on antibiotics since October 22. Colds are never just cold with cf. Because the mucus is thick things get trapped and that in it's self will brew an infection. Talk to the CF doctor for a plan. Believe it or not you will get the hang of this. We have all been there and it's not easy. Some days are better then others. JUst be pro active when it comes to his health.
 
C

Cherylwithone

Guest
Granted my daughter is 16 now but she has been on antibiotics since October 22. Colds are never just cold with cf. Because the mucus is thick things get trapped and that in it's self will brew an infection. Talk to the CF doctor for a plan. Believe it or not you will get the hang of this. We have all been there and it's not easy. Some days are better then others. JUst be pro active when it comes to his health.
 
C

Cherylwithone

Guest
Granted my daughter is 16 now but she has been on antibiotics since October 22. Colds are never just cold with cf. Because the mucus is thick things get trapped and that in it's self will brew an infection. Talk to the CF doctor for a plan. Believe it or not you will get the hang of this. We have all been there and it's not easy. Some days are better then others. JUst be pro active when it comes to his health.
 
C

Cherylwithone

Guest
Granted my daughter is 16 now but she has been on antibiotics since October 22. Colds are never just cold with cf. Because the mucus is thick things get trapped and that in it's self will brew an infection. Talk to the CF doctor for a plan. Believe it or not you will get the hang of this. We have all been there and it's not easy. Some days are better then others. JUst be pro active when it comes to his health.
 
C

Cherylwithone

Guest
Granted my daughter is 16 now but she has been on antibiotics since October 22. Colds are never just cold with cf. Because the mucus is thick things get trapped and that in it's self will brew an infection. Talk to the CF doctor for a plan. Believe it or not you will get the hang of this. We have all been there and it's not easy. Some days are better then others. JUst be pro active when it comes to his health.
 

hmw

New member
What you did sounds perfectly reasonable. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope when you are able to talk to someone from his cf team tomorrow you can get some extra input. Fortunately we are able to do a lot of communicating by phone w/ our center, even after hours when necessary.

I hope the abx kicks in quickly and the congestion clears up quickly. Saline drops or spray can help nasal congestion a lot, too.
 

hmw

New member
What you did sounds perfectly reasonable. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope when you are able to talk to someone from his cf team tomorrow you can get some extra input. Fortunately we are able to do a lot of communicating by phone w/ our center, even after hours when necessary.

I hope the abx kicks in quickly and the congestion clears up quickly. Saline drops or spray can help nasal congestion a lot, too.
 

hmw

New member
What you did sounds perfectly reasonable. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope when you are able to talk to someone from his cf team tomorrow you can get some extra input. Fortunately we are able to do a lot of communicating by phone w/ our center, even after hours when necessary.

I hope the abx kicks in quickly and the congestion clears up quickly. Saline drops or spray can help nasal congestion a lot, too.
 

hmw

New member
What you did sounds perfectly reasonable. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope when you are able to talk to someone from his cf team tomorrow you can get some extra input. Fortunately we are able to do a lot of communicating by phone w/ our center, even after hours when necessary.

I hope the abx kicks in quickly and the congestion clears up quickly. Saline drops or spray can help nasal congestion a lot, too.
 

hmw

New member
What you did sounds perfectly reasonable. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> I hope when you are able to talk to someone from his cf team tomorrow you can get some extra input. Fortunately we are able to do a lot of communicating by phone w/ our center, even after hours when necessary.
<br />
<br />I hope the abx kicks in quickly and the congestion clears up quickly. Saline drops or spray can help nasal congestion a lot, too.
 
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