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4/14/2009
12:52 am |
My son has had recurring throat infections / tonsillitis for the past year. Both we (the parents) and the Ped are on the fence about whether we should consult with an ENT. The Ped seems to think an ENT would not give any insight because the ENT would likely just suggest tonsillectomy which our son is too young for anyway. Below are the facts:
1) Son is 26 months old;
2) In the past 15 months he has had 9 throat infections.
3) 4 positive strep rapid tests and 5 negative rapid tests;
4) All 9 infections presented exactly the same: no cold symptoms; fever in 103-105 range; vomiting; pus on tonsils and tonsils swollen; horrible breath (breath bad anyway but very bad during the infection)
5) When the strep rapid tests are negative & no antibiotics given the fever lasts for about 7 days and it is another 7 days before my son resumes eating regular food. The doctors always think it's strep upon exam but when the rapid test comes back negative they think it's mono, Epstein-Barr or some Adeno-virus (? wrong name I know). So, he has apparently had mono, EBV or adveno-virus 5 times in the past year. No tests are ever performed for confirmation of these since they say there's no treatment;
6) Son has steadily dropped in growth curve for weight. He has hovered around 10% for the last 9 months or so. He eats absolutely nothing when he has a throat infection (lives on grape juice) and when he is well he does not have a hearty appetite either
7) In Jan. 2009 he had strep which did not respond to amoxicillin. Last week he was given amoxicillin for another bout of strep but that did not work either. He is now on Augmentin.
8) My son is not in daycare. His brother, 5, is in pre-school. While his brother has had strep twice a few years ago, he has never been sick (and neither have we parents) when these throat infections have occurred. When he catches a regular cold then the brother (and usually us too) catches it.... but never the throat infections.
Does this sound normal? I just keep being told that little kids get sick a lot and their bodies overreact & that's why he gets such high fevers that last so long. I think this last time we have caught our Ped's attention but no real course of action was laid out. Any thoughts?
Also, when the strep rapid tests come out negative I have inquired about a culture and have been told that it would not tell them anything and that the rapid test is actually more accurate. Is this true?
Thanks so much, Angela.
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4/16/2009
8:06 pm
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I think that all that you describe is excessive. I would consider working up the child for a possible immune system issue. I would definately consu.... Read More  |
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DR. PETER VACCARO WAS BORN IN NEW YORK CITY. HE ATTENDED MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. HE DID HIS POST GRADUATE TRAINING AT THE BRONX MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL CENTER IN NEW YORK.
