Into 4th week of flu symptoms and 40c temps with our 3 yr old DD :(

[2mummies]

Hello,

I've posted about this before. About 3.5 - 4 wks ago our DD came down with what has since been diagnosed as 'this nasty childhood flu that's going around'. She's been seen by three doctors, and I spoke to another one on the phone yesterday afternoon. The last doctor we saw (last Wednesday) gave her some antibiotics. He said it was probably 'just a virus' but worth trying them. They haven't worked. She seems to be getting worse not better.

Soaring temperatures, especially in the evening and throughout the night, terrible cough, constant running nose, loads of mucus in her, which she is only occasionally getting rid of when she poos (sorry!), very tired all the time, but often can't settle to sleep in the day. Hardly eating anything. She drinks when we bring it to her, but will rarely bother to reach for it herself. Also she aches, and is very sensitive to the touch. And you can imagine how grumpy this is all making her...

How can we make our little girl better? She's usually such a strong bright girl, but she looks so pale and sickly now. She's been having Nurofen and Calpol alternately for so long now. She had a week in the middle where she got better, but then it all came back again. We're trying to do all the right things, but it's just not working this time.

Any help much appreciated.

[BeaWheesht]

I'd take her to GP or A&E today an demand to see a paed. Has she ever had a chest xray? Her urine checked?

With pneumonia for example the infection is often too low down to be heard with a stethoscope but an X-ray will show it up.

I would also be requesting urgent blood tests. I think you really need to be all guns blazing if need be- this doesn't sound right at all.

You must all be exhausted. Do you have any other kids? Have they caught it?

[DoctorAnge]

I would be demanding blood / Urine tests and a chest X-ray by now she must be shattered. 4th week of flu should be on the way up - even for such a little one.

[CrazyOldCatLady]

That's far too long for that sort of illness. Bring the poor sausage to A&E and get her sorted.

[FancyPuffin]

Agree with the other posters.

Hope the poor little mite is feeling better soon.

[ubik]

If it were my child I would want them physically examined by a doctor not just a phone consultation. Can you phone your GP and explain. Ask that they see her today?

[uggmum]

I agree with the above comments. 4 weeks is too long to be suffering with these symptoms.

Please take her to a&e. She made need to be admitted for iv antibiotics, she may have an underlying infection. She needs blood tests and a chest X-ray, perhaps iv fluids as well.

I am not trying to scare you but a few years ago I suffered from 'flu' for over 4 weeks, I saw various doctors but my true condition was missed and I was very ill. Ended up in hospital for 3 weeks and a long recovery. Please take her to hospital.

[dikkertjedap]

My dd had very severe pneumonia and several GPs totally missed it and misdiagnosed it for a virus.

There is a chance she has pneumonia and the only way to diagnose it (or exclude it) with certainty is through a chest X-ray. She also may need a blood test to see whether different antibiotics are needed.

So I would take her to A&E as only in hospital they will be able to take an X-ray and blood sample from a child. Little point going back to the GP.

[Badvoc]

My ds2 (4) had this before Xmas.
He was ill for 6 weeks.
We also took him to the gp 3 times and to a and e once whew
Re he had a chest s ray (clear)
My sympathies.
It's awful.
He is having a flu jab this year!

[2mummies]

Hello all, thank you for your helpful replies. Just got back from hospital. We were there a long time, but despite all we told them, in every detail, they only did a urine test and a throat swab. We did ask about X-rays and blood tests, but because they found her tonsils to be inflamed and with white spots on, they said that that was what was causing it all. Her tonsils were okay yesterday though, just a bit red and bumpy. They are really bad now though. Maybe all of what's come before has now culminated in this big horrible breakout of tonsillitis. I think that was the paediatricians thinking.

He also said that because she got a but better in the middle of this month of illness, that it must have been two separate viruses. Strange that they both affected her in the same way though - with an intensity that she's not been struck down with before.

Anyway, at least we've had her checked by one gp, one student final year doctor, and one paediatric doctor today, and none of them thought it was too concerning, however horrible it is for her (and us!) Will just have to see how she goes and continue to take extra special care of her. And boycott germ infested pre-school for a while!! Also have got a gp appointment booked for Friday afternoon to follow all this up.

Again, thank you, from 2 exhausted mummies xx

[Badvoc]

Ooo oh tonsillitis is horrid.
Hope she feels better soon x

[dikkertjedap]

There has been a flu epidemic. First it was mainly influenza B in Nov/Dec, then it was H3N2 mainly (end of Dec/Jan) and this was then followed by H1N1 (swine flu). They all occurred simultaneously, but a different was dominant at different periods. So it is possible to have contracted one and then another one.

Still, secondary infections are still likely and tonsillitis also often comes as a secondary infection. If in doubt, or if she gets worse don't hesitate to go back to A&E/GP.

Alternatively, if you don't feel reassured and want another opinion then you can go private. That way it will be much more likely she will get a chest X-ray and blood test (as you would have to pay for it) - if you are near London, then Portland Hospital. Basically any of the paediatricians would be a good port of call, they have additional ones at the Portland Consulting suites.

Hope she gets better soon.

[2mummies]

Thank you badvoc. So sorry to hear your DS had such a bad run up to Xmas. Is he back to full health now?

[larrygrylls]

Glandular fever often presents like flu with tonsillitis. I think you can also get aches and pains and sensitivity to touch. I wonder if a glandular fever test is worth it, alongside the other tests suggested above, especially if her glands are swollen.

[Badvoc]

He is fine now thank you, but we had a really bad run, just like your dd.
He had muscle pains, no appetite, fever, sweating, shivering, night sweats, coughed til he vomited.
It was awful
He is having the flu jab this year!
Btw from 2014 all children from 2-17 are eligible for the flu jab.
I think this winter had been particularly bad for flu in children.

[Badvoc]

I couldn't believe ds2s chest x ray was clear...he was so ill!
They didn't do bloods I the end.
One doc thought it might be whooping cough, another just said virus, but I think it was flu.
It's his first winter in pre school so he has caught everything going..l

[larrygrylls]

Dikker,

There are a lot more private paediatricians in London than work at the Portland, mostly cheaper too. And most don't demand a credit card before they even ask about the problem. Can you directly confirm, given how often you recommend them, that you have no personal interest in recommending them other than personal experience?

Having said that, a private paediatrician would order up all the tests and you would get some answers (even if the answer is just a bad run of successive viruses). Be prepared to think about parting with £1,000+ including consultations and private tests.

[dozily]

I had something similar sounding as a 5yo, which lasted for many weeks and I was eventually hospitalised for tests. Turned out to be tonsiliitis so could well be the same.

[dikkertjedap]

The NHS nearly killed my child due to sheer negligence - so yes, I do extensively rely on private paediatricians for my own children.

My experience with the Portland Hospital is excellent. Yes, I agree that it is expensive, but I have a hell of lot more confidence in them then in the average NHS hospital.

[larrygrylls]

Our experience of the Portland was poor. I think sometimes it is the luck of the draw. However, I do agree that the NHS can be painfully (and sometimes dangerously) slow.

There exist very good private GPs. We use one where we can get an appointment on the day and get given a 24/7 mobile number. A regular appointment costs £60 as opposed to £250-450 for a paediatrician. He will also do tests wherever required and the results come back same or next day. Clearly there are additional charges for these. If there are complex issues, he can refer on to appropriate private specialists. I would recommend this approach for someone like the OP. There is no need to use a paediatrician as a first port of call.