low immune system

My 2 yr old tends to get ill very frequently. Approximately every 3 weeks he is ill and is fine for about a week and then is ill again. He doesn't get bed ridden or anything when he is ill but does have trouble breathing especially at night. He has eczema and my sister has asthma. I've been told they are directly related and yesterday we were advised to give him a ventalin (2 puffs just before bed) to see if that helps. The time of year doesn't make matters worse or better, he seems the same all year round. He does go to daycare and his brother goes to school however even when I was home with him he was still getting sick easily. I'm content to believe he is relatively heathly but my partner worries it's something worse. I don't want him tested for no reason. should we continue with the ventalin, try kids multi vitamins or have him tested for his low immune system?

[Jaquta]

Your son sounds like my two year old nephew.  He has been sick A LOT.

Could the bed have mites?  Could he have reflux?  Apparently a lot of kids have reflux these days.  One would typically expect that to be worse at night and to affect breathing.
A lot of children are said to be iron deficient too.  That can cause problems with immunity and breathing.

My recommendation would be to visit a doctor.

I just had to check that you weren't my sister asking.  My other sister lives somewhere near you (somewhere near where all those bush fires were anyway).

Talk to your doctor.

[bsmsl]

I agree with Jaquta.  Asthma is a possibility and that should be ruled out or confirmed by a doctor, but a dust might allergy  or reflux are also good possibilities.  My guess would be both since he gets sick a lot.  Since he has eczema and asthma is in your close family, his asthma risk is higher than others.

Try cleaning his room REALLY well, keeping any pets out of his room, and try allergy proof covers on all bedding - pillow, matress, and box springs.  Then wash sheets and blankets in HOT water every week.  For the posible reflux, you can raise the head of his bed about 6 inches either by putting blocks under the frame at the head end or putting some extra pillows under the matress.

Just currios, how did you get Ventolin?  Did someone give it to you?  Did it help any last night?

I hope you get some answers.

[Tammy2009]

Vitamin D and omega 3s helped me personally with strengthening my immune system.  

Vitamin D would help especially if you live in the northern parts and may not get enough time outside without suntan lotion.  

A doctor visit is in order though because there is only so much you can at home.  

Hope everything turns around for you soon!

[caregiver222]

I presume the physician prescribed the ventolin.

Ocasionally children have severe reactions to ventolin and the time to find that out is not while the child is alone in his room at one A.M.

If you go with the ventolin, try it for five days during the daytime in the morning and observe any adverse effects. Then, if there are none, you know you can safely use it at night while the child is not under observation.

Children are complicated creatures and pediatricians are the people that know the most about them. Tests that are appropriate for an adult are not always the right ones for a child.

The first thing to do to improve an immune system is to get daily exposure to sunlight.

Lots of outdoor play time.

Keep a detailed record of all of his medical problems.

A family pediatrician is the one to go to for advice.

[cobyncn]

thank you for your info. A doctor provided the ventolin but it was not our family doctor as whe was booked out and we wanted our son attended to asap. It did help but his breathing condition only seems to be adversly affected when he is ill. This is why I'm not convinced it is asthma. Is the reflux you're referring to the same as infant reflux? My eldest son had that but grew out of it once he was on cow's milk. I've been told that my son may have seasonal asthma but he gets sick all year round. Can he grow out of it?

[cobyncn]

thank you for your helpful advice. I will start a record of he illnesses to see if there is some pattern. Our family doctor isn't that worried about it. But my partner believes there's an underlying problem. If there is I would prefer to get it now rather than later. Unfortunately we live in lower victoria and don't have the best weather. due to the cool weather I restrict him from going outdoors as I'm worried he'll get sick. should I allow him to go out if there is sun shine even during winter? can vitamin D from the sun really boost the immune system that much?

[bsmsl]

You have good reason to question if it is actually asthma then.  Small children under then age of 7 or 8 years, have very small airways and tend to be wheezey when they are ill.  It could be just that.  However, with his history of eczema, frequent illness, and a family history of asthma, my guess would be that he has asthma or will develop it before too long.

Children younger than 7 or 8 will be treated as if they have asthma, so I wouldn't be concerned about giving him the medicines.  They won't hurt him and will help him and you rest.

Here we don't use the term infant reflux, but it could be the same thing your older son had.  Just be aware that reflux can agravate asthma, and could be a piece of the puzzle.

You should discus your concerns with the diagnosis with his doctor soon.

I hope that helps.