Recurrent Cold and Cough

Yesterday, I decided to take my daughter to the pediatrician to check her because of her recurrent persistent cold and cough.  Her cold is on and off for almost two months. Although she already taken an antibiotic, co-amoxiclav natrovox last month.  Me and my husband is always caution in giving antibiotic because we know that this can be harmful since good bacteria will also destroy.  The pedia suspects that she has an asthma and allergy so she gave four types of medicines such as Loradine Phenylephrine HCI, Meptin, Prednisone 10 and co-amoxiclav.  These medicines should be take twice a day for five days except her antibiotic, co-amoxiclav to be take for seven days.  On the fifth day, she will have her follow-up check up to see if there is an improvement. The pedia said that if there is no improvement, she will have an x-ray to properly diagnose the cause of her cold and cough.

As a mother, I really worried when I feed my daughter with many medicines but I don’t have a choice but to give her in order to treat her illnesses. I just hope that after five days of taking her medicines, her condition will be improved. 

My Daughter has Amoebiasis

One morning, my daughter has fever and stomach pain.  I thought it is just a fever due to weather condition here.  So she take tempra for her fever then after a while she loose bowel. The fever goes down in the afternoon so I thought that everything is ok.  I also give her dicycloverine for stomach pain. But at the evening she has heavy stomach pain that she couldn’t sleep and at the same time loose bowel so I worry so my husband go to the laboratory  for stool examination and find out that there is protozoa in her bowel. The doctor prescribed metronidazole for amoebasis and cotrimoxazole for antibacterial to be taken for 7 to 10 days. And also the doctor advised her to drink distilled water or boiled water. After two days of treatment she seems to be okay but still she has to take her medicine.

Amoebiasis is caused by parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica when indigested through contaminated water or food.  Symptoms of amoebiasis are diarrhea, stomach pain or stomach cramps, nausea and fever. As of now there is no vaccine available for amoebiasis so it is important to make sure that you drink bottled water when traveled and a cleaned food.

Antibiotics Taken during Dengue and UTI

During Dengue and UTI, my daughter has taken different antibiotics, I know and believe that taking too much antibiotic is not good to our health because it can damage cell and good bacteria will also destroy. But I have no choice but to take these antibiotics.  My daughter was diagnosed Dengue and after 4 days, she have chronic UTI and blood infection.

The following are the antibiotics she taken.

1. Cefaclor – She advised to take this antibiotic because there is slight urinary tract infection according to her urinalysis.  
2.  Clarithromycin – Her pedia changed her antibiotic from cefaclor t clarithromycin because she still a fever after 3 days of taking cefaclor.
3. Cefuroxime – When she admitted to the hospital, the pedia again changed her antibiotic to Cefuroxime.
4. Cefalexin – After 4 days of recovery from Dengue, once again she experience fever and sore throat, so she advised to take cefalexin for tonsillitis.
5. Cefexime – After 3 days of taking cefalexin, she still have sore throat and stomach pain, so after CBC and urinalysis, it came out that she has Urinary Tract infection, so she advised to take cefexime.
6. Ceprofloxacin – Once again she admitted to the hospital because she still has fever, stomach pain, chills and sore throat. The doctor changed her antibiotic to ciprofloxacin.

As a mother, I can’t bear to see my daughter having a hard time.  I broke my heart every time I see her with pain. Thanks to God, after 5 days she released from hospital.

Chronic Urinary Tract Infection after Dengue

My daughter had been hospitalized from dengue but after four days, she had a fever once again, she also told us that she has a sore throat, so since his pedia is out for a conference, we decided to go to other pedia.  He just gave her cefalexin and told us that she has a mild tonsillitis since her urinalysis is clear from infection, after 2 days of taking cefalexin, there is no improvement. She has already abdominal pain and chilling.  So we decided to take her pedia, his pediatrician ordered urinalysis and Complete Blood Count (CBC) with platelet, and found out that there is urinary tract infection (UTI) so her pedia change her antibiotic from cefalexin to cefexime. 

After 3 days of taking cefexime, nothing happen, she still have fever, stomach pain and chills so her pedia decided to admit her to the hospital and have several test to know the exact cause of fever.  Her pediatrician ordered to have malaria test, typhoid fever test, pneumonia test, leukemia test since her white blood cell had elevated.  The doctor order also to have urine and blood culture.

Thanks to God, her leukemia, typhoid fever, pneumonia and malaria test went negative but still she had stomach pain and chills. She had also an ultrasound and found out that her bladder is distended.  Her pedia advised us to get a nephrologist, kidney specialist to determine the cause of distended bladder.  The nephrologist confirms the cause of distended bladder is cystitis or bladder infection.

After 3 days of confinement, her urine is clear but her white blood cells in the blood is still elevated so her pedia decided to extent her hospitalization. Her pediatrician release her from hospital after 5 days and prescribed ciprofloxacin, 1/2 tablet every 12 hours up to 5 days, Ferlin for the treatment of anemia.

During follow-up, urine and blood culture results were negative meaning there is no bacteria growth. After 3 weeks, her pedia advised us to have CBC again.  I just hope and pray that everything will be normal. 

Recurrent Stomach Pain

It was last year when my daughter has a lot of stomach pain after the treatment of her urinary tract infection (UTI).  Stomach pain is more frequent upon waking up and before going to bed.  But after massaging her stomach with aciete manzanilla, the pain was then subside so I though it is due to excessive gas in her stomach.  I don’t want to take her to the doctor because it is mean more antibiotic to take and examination.

When we transferred to our new home, she suffered amoebiasis and after treatment of amoebiasis, stomach pain is still present so I decided to have another stool examination.  It found out that there are a lot of bacteria in her stool so the doctor gave her another antibiotic for her stomach.  The doctor thought that bacteria can be the cause of her stomach pain but after taking of 7 days antibiotic, the stomach pain is still there. 

After one week, she suffered severe cough and develop a fever with stomach pain at night so once again I take her to the doctor and gave her cemaflor for upper and lower infection and salbutamol for her cough.  After taking these medicine, the fever is on and off with stomach pain so we take her to the hospital and do urinalysis and hematology.  According to the result of her urinalysis, there is urinary tract infection but thanks to God that her blood is negative to any illnesses. She didn’t admit to the hospital instead gave another antibiotic such as clariget and relestal for her stomach pain.  The doctor advised also to take Kremil S for two weeks because her stomach pain can be a sign of gastritis.   Relestal can’t improve her stomach pain so I decided to take advised from the elders here in my neighborhood, lola Maring advised to use betel leaf (samat leaf). I apply castor oil and warm the leaf lightly and then keep it in her stomach for three nights.  I believe that traditional medicines are still effective. Her stomach pain is now instantly healed.  There is no more complaint for stomach pain.  I think the cause of her stomach pain is due to bubble gas in her intestine. Betel leaf is believe to be effective in digestive and stomach disorder.  I also give her pandan lalaki for her urinary tract infection. I boil fresh pandan lalaki with a cup of water and drink it as water.

Battle with Dengue

It has been a week when we are in the hospital because my daughter has Dengue stage 2, I feel very nervous since there are many rashes all over her body.  At first, we thought is it just tonsillitis since she told us that her throat is sore. At day 2 of high fever, we decided to go to the doctor and he prescribe cefaclor, since there is a slight urinary infection (UTI) then her fever subsides so we decided not to take a dengue test anymore since she has appetite and the only problem she has is her throat.  At day 3, we decided to take her to her pedia since her fever is on and off, but her pedia just change her antibiotic from cefaclor to clarithromycin.  Her pedia told us that clarithromycin should be taken with food and she will experience stomach pain. At day 4, she still experience sore throat, abdominal pain, and fever.  We thought that her abdominal pain is due to antibiotic. We also requested for CBC and tyhoid fever blood test.  Her platelet still normal and has negative result of typhoid. At day 5, she has rashes all over her legs and arms.  My sister in law told us that it might be tigdas hangin or rubella, as I see her rashes, is a flat, red rash.  I talk to my husband and thank God, I convince her to take my daughter to the nearest hospital.

She taken a blood for dengue test and it turn out to be positive so we immediately admitted her to the hospital.  The doctor order to get Complete Blood Count (CBC) test every 12 hours in order to monitor the platelet and thanks God, her platelet is fine.  Her pedia also told us if the platelet will be lowered, the CBC test will be conducted every 6 hours.  I feel nervous since the doctor also told us that if ever the platelet will be lowered than normal, a blood transfusion will be done.  Her dengue is on stage 2 so I started to panic since her blood type is AB and her blood is so rare. 

Thanks God, her platelet never drops from 210 up to 300. So, on the 4th day, we release from the hospital.  Her doctor also gave cefuroxime axetil antibiotic and iterax for itch. In her follow up check, she recommended to take OM-X to have strong immune system and ascorbic acid with zinc. The pedia also told us that sometimes dengue virus has side effects eventhough platelet came normal. Some dengue complication includes kidney damage and inflammation of heart vessels. We instruct us to observe my daughter for 1 week for possible complication.  I believe that God already healed my daughter. I thank for those who pray for my daughter’s recovery. Glory be to God.

Her Daughter has Kawasaki Disease

I received a text from my friend and former classmate and telling me to please pray for the quick recovery of my daughter who was infected by Kawasaki virus.  I immediately called her and give some word of wisdom, I don’t know what to say but one thing I can be sure that I will help her is to pray and intercede with her daughter.  She also told me that her daughter needed 19 vials of IVIG to prevent complication of the disease.

She told me that her daughter have been experiencing fever for 4 days as high as 38.5 C with red eyes, rash on the stomach, chest and some part of the body, with red, dry and cracked lips, sore throat and joint pain.  At the fifth day, they decided to confine it to the hospital and her pediatrician diagnosed that she has Kawasaki disease.

According to Mayo Clinic, Kawasaki disease is a condition that causes inflammation in the walls of small and medium-sized arteries throughout the body, including the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle.  Also, it can affect lymph nodes, skin and the mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose and throat.  It causes is still unknown.  It often affects children under five years old.

Other symptoms includes peeling of the skin on the hands and feet, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Having Kawasaki disease is a serious disease since it is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children.  Heart complication includes myocarditis, mitral regurgitation, dysrhythmia, vasculitis and aneurysm.

As of now there is no specific test to diagnose Kawasaki disease.  It is just based on the symptoms to rule out the disease. Treatment of Kawasaki disease includes Aspirin and Gamma globulin or Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Aspirin is help to treat inflammation and decrease pain and joint inflammation while Gamma globulin is use to lower the risk of coronary artery problems.

Aside from being a fatal disease, Kawasaki disease is also very costly since per vial of IVIG is P12000 here in the Philippines. So it is essential to our children to strengthen their immune system.  Although, expert said that there is no way to prevent Kawasaki disease, it is still necessary to build a strong immune system to fight against bacteria and viruses. 

No more Asthma

Almost every month, we visited my pedia’s daughter since she always has a productive cough and cold.  Her pedia always prescribes loraped for her cold and meptin for cough and sometimes pred10.  After taking these medicines the symptoms of cough, cold and chest pain were reduced but not treated.  So I decided not to go to her pedia and just go to traditional healer.  He said that her lung is just full of hard phlegm so medicine she taken just calm the symptoms but not remove the cause.  He healer advised her to take oregano to break the phlegm in her lungs.

The healer advised to boil seven leaves of oregano, then add calamansi and drink it like a tea.  I observed that she have no longer chest pain while coughing and her cold is reduced.  She has to take oregano for two weeks, three times per week.  I hope that her cold and cough gone forever.

By the way, my daughter is also taken medicine for primary complex for about five months now. I hope and pray that after six months, her primary complex also completely treated.  As parents, our heart is broken every time we see our children are taking medicine for a longer time.  Sometimes, herbal medicines are also good for common cold and cough. 

Doxycyline and Neo Penotran for Vaginal Bacterial Infection

The result of my pap smear examination indicate that  I have severe bacterial infection that’s why my obgyne prescribed me doxycyline to be taken twice a day for seven days.  Also, she prescribed me vaginal suppositories such as Neo Penotran to be inserted at night before going to sleep for seven days. 

Neo Penotran is used to treat bacterial and fungi infection of the vagina.  It has metronidazole which fight aerobic bacteria and different protozoa infection and Miconazole which treat fungi.

Doxycyline is used to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria.  It is also called tetracycline antibiotic because it treat several bacterial infections such as acne, gonorrhea, urinary tract infections, Chlamydia, periodontitis and others. 

If you have excessive vaginal discharge, painful intercourse, unpleasant odor, itching and burning during urination.  Make sure to visit your obgyne to determine the possible causes. Don’t be afraid to go to obgyne because your health is depended on it.  I assure you that treatment will be quick and easy.

Preventing Cold and Flu during Rainy Season

During rainy days, flu is very prevalent since our immune system is very low that’s why kids are easily catch cold and flu.  Cold is very common during rainy season due to fluctuation in temperature.  As parent, we should be aware to take precautionary measure in order to prevent cold and flu.

Some tips to prevent cold and flu

• Make sure to bring rain gear such as umbrella and rain coat with hooded jacket to protect yourself from rain.
• Bring handkerchief to cover your mouth every time there is someone sneezing beside you.
• Increasing the intake of vitamin C because it can reduce the severity of cold.
• Always make a habit of washing hands frequently because most viruses spread through direct contact.
• Don’t touch your face because flu viruses enter through eyes, nose and mouth.
• Drink plenty of water to flush out any toxins.
• Consume more fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Prepare more nutritious meal for your family and avoid eating out.
• Keep away from sick person to protect yourself from getting viruses.
• Avoid overstressed and fatigue because body resistance can weakens it.
• Get enough sleep to regain energy and strength

Children are more vulnerable to cold and flu during rainy season since their immune system is not yet developed as that of adults. So parents make sure to prepare meals that have natural immunity booster which include green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and vitamin C.

Dengue Symptoms

Based on my personal experience when my daughter has dengue, symptoms may vary depending on individual.

During dengue, my daughter experience sore throats, and slight urinary tract infection, on and off.  We thought that it is just tonsillitis since there is slight redness in her throat.  Her pedia never realized that it is a sign of dengue since there is no headache and loss of appetite. She just prescribed antibiotics. After four days, she experience abdominal pain and then at the five days, she have rashes. So she rushed to the hospital and have dengue test and turn out positive.   She diagnosed dengue stage 2 since there is a bleeding of veins that’s why she has rashes.

Some other dengue symptoms include headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, severe muscle and joint pain, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes.  In later stage, there is a gum bleeding, red palms and soles, red lips, pain behind the eyes, low heart rate bradycardia, low blood pressure or hypotension.

There is no medicine or antibiotic for dengue virus.  The only medicine taken is the relief of the symptoms of dengue such as fever, headache, and other pains. As of now, there is no vaccine or cure for dengue.