Telling the difference between a cold and a lung infection?

[anonymous]

I have a 5 yr old who seems to be on antibiotics alot. I know thats normal for CF but i really cant tell whether she just has a cold or an infection. When she blows her nose and its yellow does that mean infection? I call the CF clinic and they prescribe Augmantin every time, then the "cold" comes back after being off the antibiotic for a few weeks. She did culture staph and h influenzae, could it just keep coming back? Help...... i feel like im always bugging the doctor!!!!!! Thanks!

 

[anonymous]

What does her sputum look like? Has it gotten darker, thicker, greenish-brown? That is usually a good indicator. Is she having little fevers? Is her energy down? Has she lost weight? If these are long term things that you notice then she most likley has an infection. Truth is, we all have SOME amount of bacteria in out lungs at any given time and most of us do these continuous cycles of antibiotics. Is she on Pulmozyme or TOBI? You might want to ask the doc about these if she's not. Pulmozyme helps keep mucus thin by breaking down the DNA, and making it eaiser to cough out. In most cases, agressive PT is the BEST way to stay off infection. I hope she has been fortunate enough never to have been hospitalized, but PT is what they chiefly rely on to clear up infection. A cold is more likley to be short-lived, and she should respond to over the counter stuff. Hope this helps,Debbie22 yr old w/ CF