Teething - Is This Normal?

Hi E.,

Diane S gave you pretty good advice. I just want to add that flu like symptoms (sudden high fever, lethargy, body aches, vomiting, congestion, diarhea) is probably the due to having the flu which is caused by the influenza virus and can be deadly in young children. If it really is the above symptoms then you need to take your child to the dr. asap.

If the symptoms are cold-like symptoms (gradual onset starting with a runny nose, congestion, low grade fever or no fever, cough, crankiness) than it is probably a cold virus. Many common cold viruses cause eye redness & irritation and can lead to ear infection from trapped fluids in the ear which grow bacteria. To get rid of the bacteria you'll need an antibiotic and take it all as prescribed.

I too have been told by many dr.'s that teething does not cause ear infections. However that does not mean her ears are not uncomfortable. They probably are. If I have teeth pain, my ears hurt but they are not infected. But I tend to believe the much smarter than me medical profession.

This is cold and flu season so my guess is that most of the problems are viral. The pain and crankiness associated with teething will stop eventually. Unfortunately, you have a long road ahead with building the immune system so keep taking good care of her when she isn't well with extra love & understanding.

A.

Hey E.,

I have never heard of a child getting flu like symptoms while teething. I do know (my docs advice) that their resistance can be lowered during that time so they are more susceptible to illness during that time. Also, my daughter did get ear infections when she was young but usually that would be from extra fluids in the nasal passages, not from extra saliva. I would have the doctor check her out and make sure she doesn't have something else viral or bacterial going on. Teething should not cause so much illness, maybe extreme pain in some cases or a runny nose, but I don't think flu like symptoms. It wouldn't hurt to have the doctor check it out to put your mind at ease. I used to give my kids some Tylenol on occasion for painful teething it would help them to get a better nights sleep. Good luck I hope your daughter feels better soon!!

I heard that flu like symptoms are normal from my sis-in-law who is a nurse. I have a 6 mo. plus old baby our first baby and he has been drooling since he was 4 months old so we expect him to teeth any day soon.

As a mom I can say that mild symptoms can be teething. As an EMT I will say keep an eye on the vommiting and diarhea symptoms as your child can get dehydrated quicky and end up hospitalized.Always consult your doctor if you get nervous and think something is odd. Your baby can get a cold or flu anywhere and be masked as teething..

E.,

My kids would get cranky, their heads hurt, and they got low grade temps, their bowel movements changed all of which are normal. Desitine the toosh, Vaseline the chin, and put a wedge under her head of the bed to elevate her head while sleeping. Motrin and Tylenol mattering on which works best for your child. If you have any concerns ask your doctor, if he dismisses your concerns and you are not satisfies switch doctors, not all of them are the right fit and you & your baby, will see that only over time.
K. E.

Totally normal for my boys. Every time they got a tooth, they had runny noses and often ear infections as well. The doctor said there was no correlation with teething, but Dr. Mom says there is :)

E.,
All teeth come in - some take longer than others. Be patient, help her through the symptoms. She'll be feeling better soon.

My son would run a little warm, and start chewing on his fingers...a little diarrhea and I'd just give him the tylenol and 10 minutes later he'd be his usual chirpy self again.

You might try sleeping her sitting up in her car seat if possible, so that the fluid drains more easily. Also, if you give tylenol, does the drooling stop? It does with my son.

My other thought is: is it really the extra saliva that is causing the ear infections? New one on me, but then I'm a first time Mom, too. Maybe a second opinion is in order.

Good Luck,
M.