Photophobia and fever - should I call Dr?

[ChristmasMoon]

2.2yo DS woke up this morning with very high temp, no eating, very moany and clingy with strong dislike of light. He has no rash and perks up with calpol / nurofen.

What would you do? Am I being paranoid about the light issue thinking it could be meningitis?

[Hollyoaks]

I would take him to a gp just to be on the safe side. I'm sure he is absolutely fine but things like meningitis can occur so quickly its better to seek advice.

As for being paranoid, I think its a normal side effect of parenting.

[tinkerbellesmuse]

I would take him to GP and if they couldn't see him immediately I would go to A&E.

I have been to GP's with a mildly photophobic toddler and been referred directly to the Children's ward - fortunately nothing wrong other than a mild virus but IME Drs are very cautious about this. Hope he is ok

[LilRedWG]

Definitely get him seen asap.

[ThatVikRinA22]

yep - get him seen, my DS had meningitis - dont mess about - it doesnt matter if your wrong. just have him seen to be on the safe side.

[ChristmasMoon]

Hi thanks for your answers, I made an appointment for the GP for 5.15pm but in the meantime spoke with a nurse at the NHS Direct who thought he just had a virus because he had perked up a bit this afternoon (he started running around and laughing after his brother while she was on the phone!!), I felt guilty then about bothering the doctor so cancelled before I had got back on here to check what you all had written.

I now am worried I should have taken him anyway. I hate feeling like I am bothering doctors - and why do children always brighten up just for that bit of time when you see a doctor??

He seems OK with the light at the moment (seems worse after a sleep/nap?)so I will watch him tonight and take him tomorrow if still the same.

Thanks again.

[ThatVikRinA22]

if your at all worried about meningitis see if he can kiss his own knee. if he can then youve probably got no worries.

my boy was 3 when he contracted pneumoccocol (cant spell it!) meningitis, his neck and back were stiff and arched, he couldnt look down at all, had a very very high temp, (well over 40 as i recall)but had cold hands and feet, had a strange "cry" - its called a cat cry, was fearful of light, was drowsy (then fell unconscious) certainly never perked up, he didnt even seem to be 'with us' so if you littley is running about and perky im betting its a virus. just keep an eye on him. im sure he will be fine but if your at all worried then take him to gp. just trust your instincts - if you think its a virus it probably is. i knew my lad was seriously ill, but the bloody doctors i was with then wouldnt take me seriously at all. in the end the emergancy doctor phoned 999. i changed doctors!

[ChristmasMoon]

Thanks Vicar, he had a temp of 38 last night going to bed and then woke up about every hour - hour and a half crying and distressed and really sweaty . Temp again this morning but fine with the light (thank goodness) but now has very odd bright red chin and red blotches all over his cheek but just one. It looks sore, almost like excema? I am sure it is just a virus but it is so worrying when they are little and can't explain themselves.

[alypaly]

sounds like he has parvo virus.Slapped cheek syndrome. Normally treated with a little calpol and it can be infectious for 10 days. Keep away from pregnant women as it can cause a miscarriage.
Check with doc ,but thats what it sounds like as it comes with one sided face redness

[ChristmasMoon]

Have a docs appointment for lunchtime now Alypaly. Redness is still there but not as dramatic as it was this morning (it was quite shocking!) was complaining about not being able to see mid morning and scrunching his eyes again but then 5 mins later was sat looking at his book, strange child!

[alypaly]

parvo in children is not really treated with anything other than calpol. It is really common,some children are ill,some arent...but the one thing that is common is this look of having a really bad slapped face. Its quite alarming as their ears often go red too.

[ChristmasMoon]

OK been to drs, he says it is an ear infection. Reckons the light thing is probably because he has a headache, the red cheek and chin are because of the ear infection (even though it's on the opposite side of his face?) and the temperature is because of the infection also. He is now on antibiotics.

Thank you all for your advice and apologies for panicky mother mode!

[alypaly]

dont apologise ,odd with the red face on the other side. Did he look in his ear?

[ChristmasMoon]

Yes he looked in his ear and it was red apparently. Didn't look anywhere else nor did he take temp.