Concerns Regarding My Son's Health Before Cardiac Procedure
I have a nine-year-old son who has been diagnosed with several congenital heart defects and a genetic condition. Generally, he is in good health and does not require any medication. In six days, he is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization to repair his atrial septal defect while under general anesthesia. However, yesterday he developed a fever, and although he wasn’t able to articulate any specific discomfort, I noticed a change in his sleeping patterns; he is sleeping much more than usual, which is typical for him when he’s unwell. Today, I took him to see our general practitioner, who observed that one of his ears appeared quite inflamed, his lymph nodes were slightly swollen, and he had a mild redness in his throat. He has started a course of amoxicillin today. I’m wondering if he will still be able to go through with the heart surgery as planned. I appreciate any insights you may have on this matter.
Answers (1)
4/2/2025, 2:40:35 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about your son's health with his upcoming cardiac procedure, especially given his recent fever and ear inflammation. Here are the main points to consider:
-
Current Symptoms and their Impact: Your son has developed a fever and symptoms suggesting an ear infection, which may raise some concerns about his fitness for surgery. Fever can indicate an active infection, and it's important to manage any infection before undergoing any invasive procedure, especially with general anesthesia involved.
-
Communication with Healthcare Team: Typically, if a child is unwell with an active infection, healthcare providers may recommend postponing elective surgeries until the infection is resolved. This is to ensure the child's safety during anesthesia and recovery.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor His Symptoms: track your son's fever, any changes in his health, and his response to the amoxicillin over the next few days. If he starts to feel better and his fever resolves, it may be more likely that the surgery could proceed as planned.
-
Contact the Cardiac Care Team: Reach out to your son's cardiologist or the surgical team as soon as possible. Provide them with an update regarding his current health situation, including the fever and ear infection. They will assess whether he is stable enough for the procedure or if a delay is necessary.
-
Plan for the Appointment: Be prepared with questions about what criteria need to be met for the surgery to proceed. Ask about how they will evaluate his readiness considering his infection and any necessary adjustments to the surgical timeline.
-
Follow the Recommended Care: Ensure your son completes the course of amoxicillin and adheres to any additional care instructions from the healthcare team.
Throughout this process, it’s crucial to feel reassured that the medical team prioritizes your son’s well-being and will guide you on the best course of action. Please let me know if you have more questions!
Related Questions
Understanding My CT Scan Results
Subject: Female, 30 years of age Weight: 120 pounds Current medications: None A week ago, I experienced a facial injury and believed I might have a nasal fracture. After undergoing a CT scan yesterday, I received my results and am seeking clarification on their implications. The report indicates that there are no fractures present in my face; however, it does point out a deviated septum and the presence of bone spurs. Could this imply that my nose is intact and that surgical intervention is probably unnecessary? I appreciate any insights you can provide!
Significant Increase in Blood Pressure Over Two Months
Two months ago, on December 10th, 2025, I visited a CVS minute clinic due to a sinus infection, where my blood pressure was recorded at 120/74. However, during a recent visit to my general practitioner for my yearly health examination, my blood pressure soared to an alarming 200/114. The staff measured it multiple times, suspecting an error, even using a different device. The lowest reading captured was still quite high at 191/118. After discussing my situation, the doctor inquired whether I had a blood pressure monitor at home, which I do, and advised me to monitor my readings closely. Currently, after taking multiple readings, the most favorable result was 202/114, which is causing me some concern. - Female, age 39 - Weight: 175 lbs, Height: 5'2" - Non-smoker - Social drinker - No specific dietary restrictions - Sedentary lifestyle - No known family history of heart disease - Currently taking 20mg/day of Escitalopram and 450mg/day of Bupropion for anxiety and depression Online resources suggest that my readings indicate a "hypertensive crisis," a term that sounds rather serious. Despite my weight issues, these figures appear excessively high. I plan to message my GP for a follow-up, but I am wondering how alarmed I should be in the meantime?
Concerns About Ear Irrigation at the Pediatrician's Office for My Son
Summary: Can using a spray-type irrigation for ear wax removal harm a five-year-old? My child had a extreme reaction and experienced significant pain during and shortly after the procedure. I have a five-year-old son who suffers from severe allergies to both foods and environmental factors, alongside eczema which is mostly controlled. He takes Famotidine to manage reflux and a daily children's multivitamin, but does not regularly take any other medications. He has no history of surgeries. Although he has consulted with an ENT in the past, I don’t believe this is particularly relevant to the current situation, yet I will provide details later. During a recent well-visit at the pediatrician's office for five-year-olds, my son struggled with the hearing test, which marked the first time he did not perform well. In this examination, he wore headphones that emitted various beeps and was supposed to indicate which ear he heard the sounds from. The staff expressed concerns regarding his performance on the left side. As our assigned provider, the Physician's Assistant (PA) examined his ear and noted the presence of wax, suspecting it might be impeding his hearing. When she attempted to use a plastic curette, my son resisted and stated that it hurt. The PA remarked that the wax was harder than she anticipated, leading her to opt for an irrigation method to remove it. The nurses proceeded to administer some red-tinted drops, which he tolerated other than their cold temperature. A few minutes later, he laid down, and they used a spray bottle to irrigate his ear. At this point, he screamed as though we had never experienced before—he fought against the staff and cried intensely, even holding his breath to the extent that they needed to remind him to breathe. His reaction was reminiscent of when he has sustained a severe injury, such as from a significant fall. His cries of pain made it clear that he was genuinely suffering. After only a few moments, they decided to halt the procedure, presumably realizing that his discomfort was not an act of dramatization, and I was on the verge of stopping them myself due to my rising concern. When he eventually settled down, I inquired about the nature of his pain: whether it was a hot or burning sensation, a sting from the cold water, or a feeling of pressure in his ear. He communicated that it felt like it was going to burst inside, which suggests pressure-related pain. The irrigation attempt did not fully clear the wax they noticed. Now they are recommending that we use Debrox drops daily combined with a warm washcloth pressed against his ear after a steamy bath each night. We are to return in two weeks to check if the wax has been successfully removed and to retest his hearing. Though he appears to be okay now, he is visibly upset due to the discomfort from the procedure, especially since he had begged them to stop. He has also mentioned a sensation of water still being trapped in his ear and has been tilting his head intermittently as if it bothers him. This all transpired today right after the irrigation session. Could the forceful spraying of water have caused any damage to his eardrum, especially considering the intensity of his screams? I have previously experienced a perforated eardrum and am anxious about the potential harm this procedure may have inflicted on him. We avoid using Q-tips and inserting anything into his ears. What preventive measures should we adopt routinely to avoid wax buildup? This marks the second instance of noticeable wax at his pediatric visits, despite him bathing daily. I am puzzled as to why only one side is accumulating wax. Last year, the first attempt at wax removal was successful using a curette. ENT Background: At age three, my son was having trouble sleeping. An ENT suggested a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, although there were no other alarming symptoms to justify the surgery besides his restlessness at night. We sought a second opinion, where the new ENT indicated that while his tonsils appeared fine, his adenoids were mildly enlarged and might be beneficial to remove. However, due to COVID-19 and RSV, the surgery was postponed twice, leading us to reconsider the necessity of the operation. Given that he is now sleeping better, we have yet to pursue surgery thus far. I appreciate you taking the time to read through this lengthy account!
Experiencing Heart Palpitations When Turning Eyes to the Side?
As a 19-year-old male dealing with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and strabismus, I have recently noticed that I experience heart palpitations when I look sharply to either side. I’m uncertain if there’s a connection between these two issues, but that’s the only link I can draw. Generally, my health is good, although I was born prematurely. The palpitations feel like a combination of fluttering and pounding, and they occur specifically when I shift my gaze dramatically. I discovered this phenomenon somewhat accidentally during my annual eye appointment. Should I be concerned about this, or is it something that can be overlooked?
Irritating Thumb Spasms
Experiencing bothersome spasms in my thumb during the evening, particularly while using my computer or unwinding at home. I’m a 27-year-old male. Currently, I’m not using any medication for this issue.