Any ideas? Need a bit or re-assurance prone to worrying!

[stepfordmum]

I know I tend to worry about everything, much to my dh's annoyance
but my dd has been ill on or off for about six weeks. Starting with a very bad cough which gradually improved to a slight night-time cough, but then came back again 4 weeks later. It is now a lot better, but her glands are still up and have been for six weeks, plus she has had a temperature (38.3 max) on and off for at least eight days. She is not really eating, and that includes her favourite thing; cake! Had a slight upset tummy but only for an afternoon last week. She gets quite tired and looks very pale. Dr has asked me to get a urine sample, but I'm pretty certain a UTI is not the problem. If its not that, says it is probably a virus lingering and he has told me to go back in a week if she is no better. I know that he is probably right but I don't like the fact her glands have been up for so long and the ongoing up and down temperature. Any re-assurance welcome!

[Chil1234]

Our family doctor (great guy) doesn't like patients using themometers because he says it just scares them unnecessarily... .. 'If a child looks hot they're hot, so cool them down' is his advice on the matter.

Are you giving her regular doses of Calpol or similar to keep her temperature down? Keeping fluids up, especially if you can get her to swallow some broth or juice for nourishment, would probably be a good idea to keep her strength up and not upset her stomach too much. Glands being up is a classic (normal) sign of the body fighting infection so your doctor probably has a point there about the virus.

Obviously, keep an eye on her and go back in a week as suggested if she's no better. Good luck

[stepfordmum]

Thanks Chil1234. I haven't been giving her much calpol as a couple of Drs have said to me recently that they have changed the view point on bringing the temperature down and in fact the temperature is needed to fight the infection. So I tend not to give it unless temp gets higher than it has been. Am trying to get her to drink juice and any fluids as think that is most important thing. I have heard that there have been a couple of cases of chicken pox at nursery so am hoping it might be the precursor to that so atleast I know whats wrong with her! (possibly its one virus rolling into another)

[CharlieBoo]

Hi, my ds gets swollen glands with everything! When he had chick pox they were at their worst! He has had a couple of virus' since Xmas and his neck glands are only just going down. They can take ages particularly if they are continually fighting stuff. Hth

[stepfordmum]

Thanks CharlieBoo that really reassured me, I think we might finally be getting through it, no temperature now since Wednesday evening, so fingers crossed.