April 24, 2008
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Startling...
I have been meaning to tell y'all about our five-year old, Sailor. I took him to the doctor last Thursday, as a second follow-up visit for a swollen lymph gland. (Remember when I posted about the zithromax our three little ones were prescribed? Sailor's cough went away initially after the antibiotic, but then returned as a lingering, occasional cough. Also,when we saw the swollen gland, we assumed it was from that illness--it appeared around day 3 of the zithromax). So last week, the gland was not sticking out as much, but was still the same circumference and our pediatrician had me walk him across the street to the hospital for an x-ray.
The next day, she called me and told me that Sailor had bronchial pneumonia! What is so bizarre about this is that he did not have any symptoms that would have led us to believe that he was so seriously sick--he had the swollen gland (which indicates an infection in the body) and a lingering cough. He did not have fever, he did not lose his appetite...he did not feel sick or act sick at all. The x-ray showed a haziness or fog over the right lung, indicating pneumonia. I just think it is bizarre! I am so thankful that I remembered to mention the lingering cough and that she was cautious enough to order the x-ray.
Is this why people die of pneumonia--because they could go for weeks without even knowing they are ill?
Comments (9)
That's crazy!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/walking-pneumonia/AN00137 Your little boy will soon bounce back!
I'm inclined to believe that in old time past pneumonia was often time fatal because there were no antibodics or pencillin. Praise the Lord for such discoveries!!
Mayoclinic.com is my favorite medical website to refer to.
oh wow. hope he gets better soon!
@bethro78 - That's what I said!!
@mjh905 - Thank you for the link--I am going to bookmark that site!
@earthymama - Thank you!
He is on his sixth day of Cefdinir and if his cough is not completely gone after he finishes it, she will order another x-ray (which, BTW, he thoroughly enjoyed doing, LOL--we have a Curious George movie where George eats a puzzle piece and gets an x-ray--now he relates to George, hehe!).
Because I am a severe asthmatic, I know all too well about pneumonia. And there are several different types and strains of pneumonia! But yes, one can have no outward symptoms and have it. Just keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary and don't hesitate to take him to the emergency room if you are concerned!! Gosh!! Poor little guy!!!
That is so strange! I'm glad they found it, otherwise there's no telling how long it would have taken to get better- or how bad it could have gotten. :dancingcow:
Hope your little one feels better soon!
@MrsTaunya1967 - Thank you!
Wow, I have never heard of that. I always thought people with pneumonia would show really obvious signs and symptoms and for the most part appear really sick. Now it's definitely something I'll be keeping my eye on with my own little one. Who knew? I hope he's feeling better soon.