PLEASE HELP ME WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD!

[miamammi0616]

In October, my daughter turned blue and could not breath, I called 911, the hosp. diagnosed her with the Croup Virus.  I was told to take her home, keep a close eye and that it was a virus so there is no medical treatment.  They told me about the moist air (cold air outside, steaming shower, humidifier ect.)  Over a week, it disappeared.. I am now found with complications again.  She started out with a stuffy nose, and a small cough.. usually a bit during the day an extreme during the night hours.  I had been given her Mucinex to break it up, put Vapor Rub on her before bed, and ran a humidifier.  Last night, she awoke in a sweat and difficulty breathing.  Instead of breathing from her chest, she is breathing from her belly at a rapid pace.  Runny nose.  And today she even started vommiting which seemed to contain more mucas then anything.  She has a hard time speaking, usually between breaths.  She is not weezing or feverish.  She is thirsty, but does not drink much.  She has no appetite for anything.  I tried the steamy shower and taking her out in the cold, it has made no change.  Her eyes, mouth, and nailbeds are normal.  She goes back and forth with looking pale.  I have looked up everything on-line but seemed to be confused of exactly what is wrong or what I should do.  I do not have insurance and cannot afford another ER bill if it can be prevented.  Her peds office will not re-open until Tuesday (after the holiday).  Please help me as soon as possible.. should I be rushing her to an ER?  What else can I do to help her?  Exactly was is wrong with her?  Thank You.

[National Jewish Health]

By this time, your daughter has hopefully been evaluated by her pediatrician.  From your description, such re-examination was definitely warranted.  Croup is usually a self-limited condition lasting 48 to 72 hours, but not always.  When severe, treatment with inhaled Adrenalin® (epinephrine) and corticosteroids pills may be necessary and both have been proven to be effective.  The use of steroids to treat croup is supported by numerous well-designed studies, with clear benefits.

If your daughter is not improving, discuss the above with her doctor.  In this circumstance, she may have something other than croup that would respond to antibiotic therapy.