I don't know how ill he is...!

[oaktree]

Warning - first time so possibly paranoid mother talking......
DS is 2. has been off food since wednesday and generally off colour - even refusing milk- unheard of.
temp is 39. head feels hot toes are cold! very shivery and shakey. very listless in last hour but was very chatty adn happy earlier. huge dirty nappy earlie for first time in 48 hours . ate grapes adn an organic rice udding for lunch but nothing else. half a weetabix dried fruit for breakfast. went out but with coat/raincover on buggy etc.
is now in bed sleeping.
any advice on what I should do? do I need to take him to DRs or is it more ikely a virus that will go in its own time?

[doormat]

oaktree more than likely to be a virus but I would take him to docs

[Nbg]

I would ake him to the dr's or you an even call NHS Direct.

[tortoiseshell]

Give him some calpol and take to GP - he's probably fine, but given that you're a 1st time mum, is worth doing for your peace of mind! Sounds like he's on the mend though.

[koalabear]

personally, i'd give calpol according to instructions to get his fever down, don't fuss about food, but make sure he keeps drinking fluids

if a) his temperature doesn't come down, or b) he's still like it in a couple of days, go to doctor

oh, check him for any rashes, bumps etc also, just to make sure

if still in doubt, call the doctor and tell him/her your worries and they will be able to give you advice over phone

[aloha]

Sounds like the horrible fluey/coldy bug that's been going round. Keep up fluids, give Calpol for temperature and see how he is today.

[Easy]

If he's eating, even a little it's probably not serious, and particularly if he's not being sick. Keep an eye on his temp, let him sleep (imho sleep helps you fight off infections), when he's awake lots of clear fluids (water, diluted juice). Obviously check for spots (back, and behind ears are normally where they start), and be aware of, but not paranoid about, the signs of meningitis (stiff neck, very sensitive to light, rash that doesn't dissappear under a glass, sudden V. high leap in temp).

I try to avoid drs waiting rooms if poorly, you just pick up something else.

[Rhubarb]

Take him to the docs. If he was ok before but listness now, I wouldn't take any chances. Book him in today. I don't want to worry you, but I would be concerned by the symptoms you've described.

[oaktree]

cheers girls - will see how long he sleeps for adn how he is after that, if he wakes up all lethargic then will try and get to Drs. thanks for all the advice - has made me feel much calmer!

[GhostofNatt]

If it were me, I think I'd go to GP to set mind at rest - am haunted by time I was babbling "Sorry I'm probably wasting your time, new mum, blah blah blah" to my GP and he said "No, I think you should take the baby to A & E" (it was bronchiolitis). Is almost certainly nothing serious, but why worry?

[Easy]

but he might have been listless just because he was tired and a bit off colour

[oaktree]

he has been clutching at his neck every so often but then that could be a sore throat, teething..... who knows.......
I Know children being ill is all part of the joys of parenting but god it's stressful!

[Rhubarb]

Oh Oaktree! Pleeease take him to the GPs!

[CountessCadburyOfBournville]

can he put his chin to his chest?

[oaktree]

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SOUND ADVICE.
DS was no better after sleeping & his temp had rocketed to 40 so I took him to the DR who saw him just after he had puked calpol over me & the waiting room.
turms out poor little chaop has tonsilitis - hence the neck clutching.
now have brufen, calpol & penicillin to get down him which should sort it out.
if it hadn'r been for here I don't know that I would ahve taken him so thank you (eventhough writing that makes me feelike a crap mummy who doesn't know her own child.)

[Rhubarb]

No, you were concerned which is why you posted on here. You're not crap at all! My ds had tonsilitus and was crying every night for 3 nights - do you know what we did? The controlled crying technique on him, the poor little mite was in pain! But we just thought he was being a pain in the arse!
It's easy to give advice, not so easy when it's you!

Glad he's ok now, the antibiots will work for tonight!