Really nasty cough

I am going to try and make a doctor's appointment as soon as I can today (hopefully we will get one), but thought I would run it past you lovely, helpful ladies anyway.

Our 8 months old boy has a really nasty cough. It is really, really phlegmy and when he coughs his eyes really water (it also sounds like the kind of cough that would hurt). Other that the cough, though, he seems just fine. He is eating heaps, playing etc.

I always thought that horrible coughs are associated with a cold turning into an infection or another bacterial ailment like bronchitis or bronchiolitis.

Any ideas? Has anyone's littlies had similar symptoms?

TIA :)

Does he have a runny nose hon? Sometimes the kids get really awful sounding coughs and its just the crap going down their throat making them cough.

Doesn't sound like a seal barking or anything does it?

Nup, no runny nose and definitely not a croup cough. That's why I am confused! Thanks, Mel x

Hmm now I'm confused too - my kids have either had a runny nose, and DS had croup once as well.

If you think it is coming from the chest for sure, definitely get it checked out. Poor little man!

I've just had my almost 4 month old to the dr twice in two days for his cough - he's obviously a bit "littler" than your 8-month-old but regardless ...

On Wed they diagnosed DS2's cough as associated with reflux (won't go into the ins and outs, but it was a plausible explanation and he got reflux meds), but his cough worsened over 24 hours. Same as your son's really - on the whole he is ok (sleeping and BFing just fine), no temp, eyes a bit watery, sounded a bit phlegmey.

Anyway, his chest has been clear on both visits to the dr, so yesterday it was diagnosed as a virus. They don't prescribe meds for a virus, so we have to let it run its course.

Stupid dr though, I said I'd use the vapouriser in DS2's room overnight, to which the (new) dr replied "Well, it's not exactly a cold climate and there's only so much humidity you can introduce into the air" :o. Hmmm ... I used the vap in DS2's last night and he barely coughed. The steam ran out about 60 mins ago, and he's already started to cough a bit. Silly bum dr!

So, in answer to your question ... not all horrible coughs are bacterial. If your DS doesn't have a temp, fever or other signs of distress, then he may just have a virus too.

Hope he's better soon - I can recommend using a vapouriser for the cough ;)

ETA - I just noticed you're in Brissie too ... maybe there's something going round?

Hi Sambo, its always better to be safe than sorry IMO when it comes to your little one. Last year in April DD5 was 6mths old, she had come down with this terrible cough along with this awful whezze I had never heard anything ike it. Took her to the DR's was advised to get her to the hospital for observation at she appears to have bronchoilitis. The hospital monitored her but was advised that she could go home as long as she didnt turn blue, or stopped eating and being happy. DD got over the bronchoilitis at home. Two months later DD5 started to get sick again, I was so worried about the bronchoilitis that I had her to the DR's jic that's what was happening again. As her chest appeared clear the DR was happy with her. The following day, I had her at the DR's again, she started wheezing again, had her at the DR's that morning, was sent to hospital with her, the hospital admitted her straight away, her x-rays showed that she also had some pnemonia. (her cough and wheeze was no where near like the first time, this time didnt seem as bad tbh) DD5 just got worse as the day progressed and was having apneas (having trouble breathing) The following morning, she was put in an induced coma and transferred to Randwiock Childrens Hosiptal. She was on Life support in intensive care for 5days and in total hospital for 2weeks.
We were so very lucky to bring her home, as she had several close calls.
I am not saying this to scare you, but it is just worth getting your little one checked out by the DR. During my little ones stay in hospital in icu, there were several little bubs suffering the same as her, and it was just heart breaking to watch.
I am so not looking forward to this years flu season.
Ohhh my little V's bronchoilitis was viral not bacterial, so their wasnt a great deal they could do for her apart from riding it out, and hoping for the best.

I hope your little one gets over what ever is causing his cough soon, HUgs to the both of you.

Just managed to get an appointment for this afternoon. This is all pretty new to me since he is 8 months old and has never been sick (not saying that he is sick now) - so just playing it carefully.

Thanks AndiE, it is always nice to go to a doctor with specific questions, and your post has allowed me to do that. What your bub has sounds so similar to our boy's cough - so maybe it is a Brissy thing! His chest sounds clear as well - no rattling or wheezing. Though he now seems to be sneezing more than usual.

I have the vapouriser at the ready and I definitely feel that now that the climate is less humid there is a need for it (I was also fed that "Brisbane is humid already" rubbish from a nurse and still used it when he had a blocked nose - with much success). Just goes to show that nobody knows their bub better than Mum! I hope your little man gets better soon.

Thanks csab. Wow, that is so full-on! I am glad your bubs are OK - it must have been so scary.

I am with you on not taking chances especially if it is anything more than a runny nose! The scary things is that they can go from being really well to being so sick in such a short time - before you know it you can have a major problem on your hands! So I am glad that I have made the appointment and will rather be called a neurotic mother than let my little man come to any harm due to "waiting it out" if it can be treated!

I really appreciate your support and help ladies. As I said before, this is all very new to me and it helps to hear your experiences and suggestions.

Hows everything going with your little bub now hun, I hope he is doing well and feeling alot better. hugs

Hi csab. We went to the doc and he said it was a cold...which I think I have subsequently contracted! So it isn't affecting his chest and he is still eating and full of beans. So just a nasty cough and not much else, here :)

Thanks for letting us know how he is doing, it isnt fun when they are sick, and so many things start off like the flu nowadays its ridiculus. I am so glad he is eating well and full of energy. I hope you both feel better soon hun. hugs.

Hi Sambo - glad to hear your little fella is still full of beans despite his cold, and glad too to hear that's all he's got. My little fella's cough is slowly improving - fortunately he has been sleeping fine and BFing fine and no temps.

Interesting isn't it, how our boys benefit from a vapouriser ... methinks it's time for some Brissie health professionals to wake up and smell the not-very-humid-at-all Brisbane night air! ;) :)