viruses every two weeks

[mizznicole]

I'm so tired of this - and I'm not the one getting sick.

Since November 2009, my DS has been sick almost every two weeks on average. He does not go to day care, but does come with me 2-3x per week to a homeschooling co-op. As part of this run of viruses we've had H1N1 and RSV, as well as stomach flu. But generally it's just a fever and congestion.

He just got over his last sickness 4 days ago, and spiked a 101.8 fever at 3am today. The congestion/runny nose is starting again.

What can I do for this poor child? Our co-op just ended today, which I think will help...

[Louisep]

Just a stab in the dark here - could the congestion and low grade fever be teething or allergy (pollen) related?

Sorry you are struggling with this. We have had a run of illnesses too, but not so frequent and mostly colds.

[mizznicole]

Yeah, I guess we're going to have to cough up for allergy testing eventually. We live in one of the worst areas of the country for them, both DH and I have them...but I thought by extended nursing I could have avoided them!

[sunfish21]

What about probiotics? You don't mention if you are using them--but loading up on those daily along with eating a lot of garlic, red peppers, etc...might help build up that immune system.

[PlayaMama]

we've had a bad winter for illnesses too. my kids NEVER got sick and this it's been one right after the other.

i taught my 2 yo dd to say "snot factory" and it's the funniest thing ever. i think for us it's because my ds started pre-school but i figure at least it keeps our immune systems busy.

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

My kids are sick quite a bit, but they are both in full time daycare. Weve had a couple of GI bugs (With one doozy in DS2) and LOTS of runny noses and coughs. I dont know how, but we have been able to avoid H1N1 and rota this year. (Knock on wood)

I give both my boys a yogurt for breakfast every morning. EVERY.SINGLE.MORNING. Even DS, who has milk allergies, has a soy yogurt made by silk with 6 live active cultures in it. Does it help? Id like to think so.

[sheandaru]

We're in the same boat. I hate that he gets sick all the time.

[wetcement101]

My friend's 2.5 yr old is in the same boat. They can't tell if it's allergies or viruses, but recommended eliminating her pacifier and the nasty blanket she drags everywhere then sucks on. Ick.

[mizznicole]

DS has yogurt every day. I do have a bottle of kid's probiotics in the fridge - maybe I can try sticking to that for a few weeks.

[lolar2]

Originally Posted by mizznicole

Yeah, I guess we're going to have to cough up for allergy testing eventually. We live in one of the worst areas of the country for them, both DH and I have them...but I thought by extended nursing I could have avoided them!

Nope. My sister was nursed until she was 2 but still has several allergies. EBF can reduce the risk but it doesn't eliminate it.