Snotty nose- how long before you go to the dr?

JCS2007

DS is 19 months, and has had a runny/yucky nose for over two weeks.  He is cranky at times, but nothing terrible. Occasionally coughs, but really just the nose. He has had ear infections before, and never showed any signs of having it (seeming to be in pain, hitting/pulling ear, ect).  How long would you wait before taking into the dr to be sure it is nothing more? Or do you not bother until it really seems to be something? Usually it is caught b/c we go in for something else. I typically avoid taking them in if not necessary.

Zenya

our doc says 3 weeks.  if it's really nasty I'd take him in now htough.

Rebekah1021

I don't usually go in for a runny nose. It's usually something else that goes along with it that prompts me to go in.

jettagurl

I've never taken anyone in for just a snotty nose - and I wouldn't in the future.  If it were accompanied by high fever (that meds weren't helping with) or obivious sinus/congestion pain/discomfort - then sure. 

My biggest indicator is their activity - if they are playing/acting normal, I just keep lots of tissues around.

 

ridesbuttons

jettagurl:

I've never taken anyone in for just a snotty nose - and I wouldn't in the future.  If it were accompanied by high fever (that meds weren't helping with) or obivious sinus/congestion pain/discomfort - then sure. 

My biggest indicator is their activity - if they are playing/acting normal, I just keep lots of tissues around.

 

I agree with this.  If I brought my kids in for a snotty nose lasting more than 2 weesks, I'd have them in all.winter.long.  Seriously.

JCS2007

Thanks for the responses. I never have taken them in for just that before, but since the last time he was snotty for a few weeks he had a fairly bad ear infection (at his well visit), it is on my mind.  I will probably just keep my eye on him and see.

daisies05

I used to be in the "not taking in for just a snotty nose" camp.  However, this last time, I waited it out about a month and suddenly his ear was draining fluid.  The ENT said he'd likely had a sinus infection that led to an ear infection that perforated his ear drum.  ENT recommended any snotty nose for more than 2 weeks should equal a trip to the doctor. 

Zenya

I guess for my kids after 2 weeks a snotty nose (and I mean a REALLY snotty nose, like gross snotty nose) just doesn't get better.  It has only happened maybe twice but both times it was a sinus infection that needed abx. 

libra31

I'm a nurse and find I tend to take my kids in late.  I understand where you are coming from.  My 13mo recently had a bad cold that he was not recovering from.  No cough, just green snotty nose, constantly running.  My older 2 recovered and he still had it.  He woke up with goupy eyes and so I took him.  The doctor said he had a 9/10 ear infection and probably a sinus infection as well.  So watch the eyes.  Also keep an eye on the color of the snot...clear or greenish yellow?  Gross, I know, but it matters.

I talked to my doctor about this exact thing when I was in.  He said most ear infections aren't accompanied by fever and he said really watch activity level and how the kids are acting.   

 

Angela814

jettagurl:

I've never taken anyone in for just a snotty nose - and I wouldn't in the future.  If it were accompanied by high fever (that meds weren't helping with) or obivious sinus/congestion pain/discomfort - then sure. 

My biggest indicator is their activity - if they are playing/acting normal, I just keep lots of tissues around.

 

This is what I do. There's always a cold going around daycare, so it seems like the kids have continuous colds. I finally brought DD2 in after ~3 weeks of coughing and nasal drainage, and her lungs were clear and ears were fine. Two weeks later she has two ear infections, one which burst. She had a low grade fever the day before her ear drum ruptured. Nose has been snotty pretty much all winter. It's so hard to know when to take them in.