To the GP or not?

[Notquiteinsane]

Good old Friday illness ready for the weekend!

DS is 7 months, history of bad silent reflux, CMPI, on Omeprazole...all ongoing but on a relative plateau atm.

Had really grim coldy flu a few weeks ago which went round us all and was horrid. Cleared up, but then was snotty again within days (if it ever left)
Have been increasingly aware of v Chesty cough and hearing wheezing over last couple of days but has been well in himself.
Last night was coughing a lot, sick at 2am (surprised to see his tea come back up...ate it at 4pm)
Then this morning had breakfast and a few mins later coughed, followed by readibrek flowing back out. ALL of it!
Still no temp, but sounds rattly.
Do I go and have eyes rolled 'virus' lecture, or wait it out...?
Fed up of making every decision, so thought I'd share this one :)

[EdwiniasRevenge]

If he sounds rattly to the dr then I would suspect that you would get a diagnosis of secondary bacterial infection and antibiotics.

I think I wiuld go to dr given his age and that its his chest. He could potentially go downhill very rapidly.

Go to the dr on the premise that he gas had it too long and if anything getting worse not better.

[AndFanjoWasHisNameO]

It's Friday- if not sorted today , you risk him being crappy all weekend. Just because things everything these days is viral, doesn't mean that they shouldn't be seen by a doctor, if anyone rolls their eyes at you-poke them in them

[Sirzy]

I would get him checked

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

I'd go, babies deteriorate very quickly. No ones going to think ur wasting time at 7 months,

[dikkertjedap]

You are not a doctor, so how would you be able to diagnose whether it is viral or bacterial? Also, infections which are initially viral can become bacterial.

This really pisses me off how some or many GPs deal with patients, on the one hand they lecture people that they study for seven years and are know alls and on the other hand get pissed off if people come and see them - rant over.

Trust your instincts, if you are worried about your child and want a doctor to look at him then take him. If the doctor treats you poorly change doctor at the first opportunity.

[Notquiteinsane]

Thanks for replies, appointment booked for this afternoon!
(Poking finger is ready!) :)

[FoodieToo]

Could be bronchiolitis,which is viral. But cough can be terrible. Often no high temp.
Wheeze almost always.
Ds3 got it bad and was hospitalised for two weeks!

So even if viral you may need doc to check.

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

How did drs appointment go?

[Manchesterhistorygirl]

How did it go? Sounds like exactly what my 2 year old has. Hope you dc is better very soon.

[Notquiteinsane]

Thanks so much for asking! Dr claimed virus...but since going he has been able to keep nothing down at all apart from 5mls water at a time. (Have had some spectacular vomit!) Now has temp too. Could be co-incidental bug ontop of cold, but I'm still sceptical!
Think we will be making a trip to out of hours at some point over the weekend after all!! Is asleep on me atm and can hear him crackling away. Do agree it is hard to distinguish between snotty back of the throat phlegm and deep chesty stuff...(not convinced though!)
Will see what the morning brings...

[dikkertjedap]

Does he always vomit after coughing attack or also vomit without coughing attack (with always I mean during this current illness) - coughing attack followed by vomiting could be whooping cough (even without whoop, but the coughing attack will be horrid, gasping for breath, vomiting).

It is not unheard of at all to first have flu (ie virus) and then contract a secondary bacterial infection when the immune system is still recovering. However, you would expect high fever. As far as I know there is only one very rare type of pneumonia which does not present with fever, all other types present with high persistent fever.

What did your GP do which made him so sure it is viral? I am surprised that he has no temperature at all???? Has GP considered that it could be post viral wheeze (may need temporary ventolin during wheezy spell)?

The vomiting could be one of the many tummy bugs going round. However, it sounds he has on-going feeding problems, so maybe best to speak to paediatrician or other specialist, either privately or trying to be referred.

[Notquiteinsane]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
GP said it sounded upper airway but was hard to tell as he is just so congested everywhere (??!!) Plus usual come back if worse or not improving.
He has been vomiting after coughing as well as just vomiting after eating/drinking (with coughing, but more due to the volume coming up I think.)
Has now moved down to the other end, so must be bug related. And yes, all complicated by his other feeding issues!
Has always had quite a sensitive gag reflex, which I think is contributing as he is still retching after coughing, but not constantly bringing everything up now.
(Mind you, Neocate is enough to make anyone retch!)
Still full of snot /gunk as is evident when he is sick and what is in his nappies.
Temperature that was present overnight has subsided with paracetamol, so generally things are moving in the right direction I think! His chest isn't noticeable 100% of the time now but mainly when he is upset (which is quite often, but still an improvement!)

[dikkertjedap]

Probably worth trying to clear his nose as much as possible with saline spray or drops (Sterimar or something else). It may be uncomfortable for him whilst you use it but it does help and is worth persevering with.

Also, our paediatrician told us to use Otrivin for children to clear congestion quicker but this is now prescription only. Not sure how you would be able to get hold of it during the weekend, it works miracles though as it enables the nose to drain snot so much quicker thus reducing gagging due to post-nasal drip and/or risk of ear infections.