10.06.2009

Stratton's 1st cold

We first thought Stratton had a cold because of either the shots he got Friday or allergies, since we were on the farm and outside so much this weekend. He started getting a runny nose Saturday and I just assumed that it would run it's course and since he wasn't running a fever what would the doctor be able to do anyway? I had read that babies get 6-10 colds in their first year so I wasn't too concerned that it was anything more that a run of the mill cold. But after listening to him wheeze all night it seemed like he wasn't getting any better and I decided something else might be up and decided to take him to sick call. Wow! I have never been to sick call and I was really intimidated since I was by myself! It was kinda scary. . . a waiting room FULL of sick children! Luckily we didn't have to wait very long. As it turns out Stratton has developed bronchiolitis which is caused by RSV. It's very common in infants and Dr. Beck didn't seem too worried. Jarrod and I have both had a cold recently (I still do) and he told us that in adults RSV just causes cold like symptoms but in babies they can develop pneumonia and bronchiolitis. He also said that we can pass it back and forth.  .ugh. He gave me a prescription for an inhalant (Yeah, ever try to give a baby an inhaler?? Not easy!) and a liquid to break up his congestion. Stratton really doesn't seem fussier or cranky, but you can tell he just doesn't feel good. I stayed home with him today and he slept most of the day. It was a good day for that, too. It was cold and rainy all day long. I am planning on staying home with him again tomorrow. I don't want to send him to Kayce's and then Cooper get sick. I can already tell that the meds are working, he isn't nearly as wheezy sounding, so I am hoping that by Thursday he will be feeling much better.  So, we've got one cold under our belt. . . just 9 more to go.