Managing Altitude Sickness Symptoms in My 8-Year-Old Son
Hello everyone, I am currently residing in Santa Fe, NM for the weekend, while my home is in West Texas, at an elevation of 3,200 feet compared to Santa Fe’s 7,000 feet. We arrived here on Friday night, and by Saturday morning, we went out for breakfast. My 8-year-old son, who has been perfectly healthy, suddenly started to feel ill. His complexion turned pale, including his lips, and as I helped him into the car to head to urgent care, he was barely staying awake. At urgent care, he was tested for Covid-19, strep throat, and the flu, all of which came back negative. While waiting, his color improved significantly, though he still seemed fatigued and exhibited pink eyes, which were not due to conjunctivitis. His pulse oximetry reading was 99, and other vital signs were stable. A few weeks prior, he had experienced bronchitis that required three days of steroid treatment and nebulizations three times a day. The doctor examined his lungs and expressed no concern regarding pneumonia. As of tonight, he fell asleep for about an hour and a half before waking up to vomit three times in a row. After the vomiting, he claimed to feel okay and returned to sleep. However, it is now midnight, and I am concerned as I listen to him rest. The vomit had a pink tint, potentially influenced by a red Fanta he had during lunch. Here are some important details: - Age: 8 years - Weight: Approximately 60 pounds - Current medications: A children's multivitamin and Children’s Zyrtec - Notable medical history includes: torticollis, positional plagiocephaly, laryngomalacia, RSV with bronchiolitis at 2 months, speech delay, and sensory processing disorder. I suspect he might have asthma, although this has not been officially diagnosed. Even though he says he feels fine, he tends to understate his symptoms. For instance, when he had the flu, he simply mentioned feeling a bit tired. His only complaint today has been fatigue, and he hasn’t vomited for the past two hours. Notably, he does not have a fever. I’m torn between whether to wake him and take him to the emergency room, which would involve disturbing the rest of my family of five, or if it would be better for him to continue sleeping peacefully.
Answers (1)
3/23/2025, 6:30:42 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to be worried about your son's well-being, especially when symptoms arise suddenly in a new environment and at a higher altitude. Given the situation, here are the main points to consider:
Summary of Concerns:
- Altitude Sickness Symptoms: Your son may be experiencing symptoms related to the significant altitude difference.
- Previous Health History: His bronchitis and current medications should be factored in.
- Current Condition: He had a bout of vomiting but seems stable and is resting comfortably.
Explanation:
Altitude sickness can occur when someone travels to higher elevations quickly. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, which can sometimes cause variations in skin color. The pink tint in his vomit could also be due to the red drink he had, but it’s normal to be concerned. Since he has stable vital signs (like pulse oximetry at 99%) and is currently resting well, that’s a good sign.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close watch on his symptoms. If he remains stable, allow him to rest. Check his comfort and breathing, and observe if there are any changes in his skin color or an increase in fatigue or difficulty breathing.
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Hydration: Ensure he stays hydrated. Encourage him to drink water in small sips when he wakes up. Dehydration can worsen symptoms.
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Rest: Let him sleep and avoid waking him unless you notice any concerning symptoms like difficulty breathing, severe lethargy, or if he doesn't wake up easily.
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Altitude Adjustment: If possible, try to descend to a lower elevation, or remain hydrated and allow his body time to acclimatize.
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Emergency Considerations: If he develops a fever, increased difficulty breathing, or any alarming symptoms (such as not being able to wake him up or extreme fatigue), do not hesitate to go to the emergency room.
Conclusion:
It's good to hear he hasn't vomited in a while and seems to be sleeping peacefully. Trust your instincts as a parent; if you have any doubts, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Please keep a watchful eye on him, and take the necessary action if his condition changes. Wishing you and your family all the best.
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