Sick of being sick! (mom and toddler question)

jenb_99

DS (2y3m) and I have been sick pretty much constantly since Halloween. He's had 6 bugs -- parainfluenza, 4 colds/URIs, and 1 stomach virus (noro). He's shared all but the parainfluenza with me.

They're hitting me HARD. I rarely got sick before I had a child, and most bugs were pretty mild for me, lasting 3-5 days and consisting of some sniffling and coughing, but since I've been pregnant they've all turned into a big deal with inflamed sinuses and full-blown bronchitis. I'm tired of being sick, but I don't necessarily think something's "wrong" with me. I'm assuming my susceptibility to infection and the severity of each illness is just one of those lovely blessings of pregnancy. Lowered immunity and all that. I just hope it means Baby Sister gets some immune system benefits from my misery.

But what about DS? He had symptoms from norovirus for 5 whole days, parainfluenza lasted nearly 2 weeks (7 full days of 101-degree fever), and each of the colds/upper-respiratory infections has lasted 7-10 days. I know babies and toddlers have immature immune systems, but does this seem pretty typical? Catching every bug out there and keeping each one for over a week? Are some seasons just worse than others? Tell me about some of your cold-and-flu-season experiences with young children. I'll probably call his pediatrician's office and voice my concerns with a nurse, but I'd like to see what y'all have to say and figure out exactly what to ask her.

I should add that I SAH with DS. He's not in daycare.

bcnoelle

I'm sorry to hear this. I have a 2 yr 10 mo old and we've been lucky to remain healthy all winter, although I live in Florida. My son is in full time pre-school 4 days a week and at the most had a runny cold. I'm surprised your toddler has been so sick, but maybe he's just never been able to ge rover his last illness and it's making him more susceptible to his next. Does he currently have symptoms? I would want to make sure that he didn't have a current infection that could be treated with an antibiotic. Do you guys go to a lot of indoor activity places (toddler gyms, science museums)? I feel like my son gets colds easier when he goes to those places. Good luck.

ho11yday

I always thought it is normal for colds and viruses to last about 7-10 days each.

ThereBeDragons

That's a pretty typical length for what we lovingly refer to as "baby plague". If a good immune system runs in the family it'll probably shorten up a bit as you get into late childhood- but this is all part and parcel of developing that immune system. Many daycare kids get sick for a year or so almost constantly as various forms of baby plague circulate the playground, but kids who stay at home aren't any more immune- they just catch all the same stuff more spread out from exposure in parks, museums, grocery stores- anywhere public.

IBackBevo

Well, this has been my experience with DS, but he is in daycare. He has pretty much been nonstop sick with at least a cold or ear infection since October when he started daycare. I have gotten about 2/3rds of the illnesses. I have no real advice, but it does suck. Big time.

jenb_99

I guess it isn't abnormal, then. I seriously hope this means that Baby Sister will have better immunity to begin with and that DS will have an easier time next cootie season. I hate that he can't get over one bug before catching another. Poor little man needs a break. And so do I!

Thanks, ladies.

ns1

So sorry you have both been so sick! Shortly after DD was born I got just about everything going around, and she always had a runny nose. At this point it seems like we've both boosted our immune systems a little. I think between DD in daycare and me working with the public it has helped in the long run. Hopefully after getting it all you'll both experience some awesome boost in immunity!

Allibob

Sorry you're dealing with this. Being sick while pregnant or having to care for a sick toddler is just not cool. Either my daughter or I have been sick for the last two months, with a magical week of health thrown in there, so I feel your pain. She just came down with a nasty cold I'm praying I don't get.

It's normal for colds to last longer than a week, unless they're taking a turn for the worse around that time (high fevers when there were none or after being fever-free for several days, etc). I have no advice, just sympathy. At least you're storing up lots of antibodies for the new one.

jenb_99

Sorry, I worded the 7-to-10-day thing funny. I know 7-10 days total is normal for a cold, but for me it used to be 3-5 days of active illness and a couple of days of mild symptoms while I recovered. Now I'm sick the entire 10 days, usually worsening around 6 or 7, then slowly tapering off for another 3-5. It's not unusual for me to still be raspy-voiced 2 weeks after the start of a cold. Blah.

Good to know it's fairly normal to have a rough season, though. I'd hate to think something serious was going on with DS's immune system.

IBackBevo

I have heard this has been a bad cold/flu season. Even a judge was commenting on it when I was in court the other day.

Mrse123

I'm in the same boat with my 3yo. She goes to daycare part time and is constantly sick. I'm lucky in that I usually do not catch her viruses but it is still frustrating. You have my sympathy.

blessednewmom1

We have had a similar experience. Ds is in preschool 2 half days per week and he has caught multiple illnesses this winter and since being pregnant, I seem to catch them all and become way sicker than usual. I have had 2 stomach bugs and am now suffering from bronchitis that has been awful. And my ds is usually sick about 10 days from each one, as you are describing.

Junebug060609

Cant speak of the parainfluenza, but the cold length is normal...as is the never.freaking.ending parade of illness in a two year old (my DS is 2y5m).

I've caught much of what he has come downwith...including one cold that lingered for ages and left me with laryngitis and a double ear infection. Fun times.