WWYD? Re: sick infant

adamsbabble

Wednesday night I took Lila to the ER for fever, coughing and trouble breathing and they did a chest x-ray and saw some spots on her chest that looked like pneumonia, but then changed their official diagnosis to RSV before discharging us (with instructions to use a humidifier and give Tylenol).

Her fever has stayed down since yesterday morning, but her cough is still terrible, very wet and I'm not sure if it's getting better or worse.  I talked to my friend who is a nurse and she said that none of what happened in the ER makes any sense to her because pneumonia and RSV look very different on x-ray and she isn't sure why they would look at it and say it looks like pneumonia and then change it.  She said there is also a test they could have done for RSV and doesn't understand why they would change it without doing that. 

Should I take her back in?  Like I said, fever is gone but she still sounds terrible.  I'm not comfortable with the way they said one thing and then changed it, when it makes a big difference, and also wondering if anything has changed.  I also feel like the ER doctor was very rushed with us, he told me he was busy with two other procedures and acted like I didn't really need to bring her in "since she's older than 2 months old."  I know that a fever isn't as serious once they're over 2 mos. and I'm sure they see a lot of people freak out over fevers, but she had other symptoms and trouble breathing was the reason I brought her in.

Mrs.Cooley2bee

My first inclination would be to call your pediatrician.  I would ask all of your questions concerning RSV and pnemonia and how they are different etc. At very LEAST they could clarify any confusion.  But, they may want to take a look at her as well.  Good luck, I hope she feels better soon.  Asher spent a night at CCHMC with RSV 3 months ago.  It stunk.

mrs.george2be04

I would call the pedi, explain what happened and see what they think.  If you feel like you MUST take her back to the hospital, I'd take her to Children's personally.  Hope Lila feels better soon.

Jessica&Brett

I'd call your regular Pedi and ask what they think. I'd be tempted to take her in to the normal doctor. Good luck!

adamsbabble

I did call our regular pedi, and the nurse said they could bring her in but would likely just do another chest x-ray (hospital) and left it up to me, but then said "but definitely take her in if she isn't getting any better." 

???

I guess I could take her in, but it sounded to me like they were saying they were just going to send her for another chest x-ray.  Can I just bypass the doctor visit?  And to me,  she's not really sounding any  better, but I'm no doctor.

johnandkristin

I have no idea what the difference is between RSV and pneumonia, but I would think that the pedi would be able to listen to her lungs and see if it sounds like there's fluid in there.

I would probably still go to the pedi first. I know the nurse said that she thinks they'll just have you do another xray, but the pedi might feel differently after hearing what you've already gone through.

If you have to go in for another chest xray, this time you'll have it on your Dr.'s orders, and maybe because of that you'll get treated better at the ER. 

I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope poor Lila feels better soon! Please keep us posted if you get the chance.

Mrs.Cooley2bee

johnandkristin:

I have no idea what the difference is between RSV and pneumonia, but I would think that the pedi would be able to listen to her lungs and see if it sounds like there's fluid in there.

I would probably still go to the pedi first. I know the nurse said that she thinks they'll just have you do another xray, but the pedi might feel differently after hearing what you've already gone through.

If you have to go in for another chest xray, this time you'll have it on your Dr.'s orders, and maybe because of that you'll get treated better at the ER. 

I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope poor Lila feels better soon! Please keep us posted if you get the chance.

This is what I was thinking.  Even if they do send her for another x-ray you should have an order and not go through the ER.  I would also be persistant in asking about the difference in RSV and pnemonia. 

johnandkristin

Mrs.Cooley2bee:

This is what I was thinking.  Even if they do send her for another x-ray you should have an order and not go through the ER.  I would also be persistant in asking about the difference in RSV and pnemonia. 

This, for sure.