I think my son has covid

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

DS is 14 with no underlying conditions. We have all been super- careful, wiping the shopping, staying at home etc but DH went to the chemists two weeks ago and soon got ill. He had a v bad sore throat and temperature but no cough. Unfortunately he gave it to DS and he has been very ill for the last 12 days. He’s had a temperature, agonising throat and what seems to be a gland pain but no breathing problems and no cough ( until about day ten then he’s had a slight dry cough but not frequent). We took him to the dr on Fri as he had the temperature and wasn’t eating and we were doing rounds of painkillers. The dr gave him antibiotics for his throat. But I have literally never seen him so ill. The temperature is gradually going down but he’s so weak he’s sleeping every few hours and about 11hrs at night. He’s drinking about a litre a day (with some bullying from me).
I think he’s getting slightly better (fewer painkillers and more time awake) but is there anything else we can do? I don’t want to take him back to the dr just for advice as we had to sit in direct sunlight in the car park until the dr would see us in a tent. It was incredibly hot for the rest of us and my poor child had a blazing temperature and was crying to go back to bed.
Basically can anyone suggest - will his appetite return? Should I try to force him to eat or respect the fact that he just wants drinks? Is there anything else I can give him? To make matters worse, his brace is digging into him and hurting his mouth so he’s got that to deal with too ☹️

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

And I don’t even know if he has Covid. It doesn’t sound like the normal symptoms but I have never seen him be so unwell in his life.

[ofwarren]

Has he not been tested? If he's got a temperature you could have had a test for him.

[Floatyboat]

Test him for coronavirus?

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

Hi, we got the test on Friday but we only managed to do it today as he wouldn’t let us touch him (his throat was agony). It might be too late to get an accurate reading but we have done it anyway.

[ofwarren]

When I had symptoms I had those medical milks they give to people who have no appetite. I got them on Amazon. They are just milkshake.
He does need to try and eat though. I felt much worse when I didn't eat.

[AnyFucker]

Why haven't you requested a test ?

[AnyFucker]

Sorry, cross ppsted

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

Thanks of warren. He is lactose intolerant but I could see if there is a dairy free version. He needs some calories but when my husband tried to get him to eat, he knocked the plate out of his hand and cried.

[ofwarren]

You can also get throat sprays that contain benzocaine to numb the pain. Vicks do one and I think the generic brand is chloraseptic. They really help.

[Haffdonga]

Everybody with symptoms is being urged to get tested, It's important. You can get home tests now if there's no test centre near you.

[JoanieCash]

If you’re in UK can call 119 and request a covid test. Keep him hydrated.

[Twiggywinkle13]

It sounds like he has bad tonsillitis or a virus, I forget the name, but I had it after having tonsillitis at one point. It took me more than a month to recover from the extreme tiredness after the throat situation cleared up. It was awful.

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

We’ve got the test. We’ve done the test. And YES we are isolating.
I’m asking if people can suggest ways I can build him up food/drink wise. I’m especially asking people who have been through something similar themselves if they can tell me what worked for them.

[Floatyboat]

Could it be glandular fever?

[ofwarren]

Holland and Barratt do chocolate flavour meal vegan meal replacement milkshake powders.
If you can numb his throat with a spray and get him to drink something like this he won't lose strength.

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

I can see it taking him at least a month to recover from this. It has completely wiped him out. If all the people who are breaking lockdown could see my poor son right now, they’d be having second thoughts about it. And that’s what it has done to a happy healthy teenager.

[AtiaoftheJulii]

Could be glandular fever - my son had it at 17 and he has an incredibly sore throat and a raging fever. It's a blood test to confirm.

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

Thanks of warren. That is very helpful xx

[AtiaoftheJulii]

Had. He hasn't still got it!

[ofwarren]

Drinking his calories will be enough, then he can move on to soup and then soft foods.
Has he tried vegan ice cream?

[bestbefore]

Would he drink an energy drink like luxosade? Or even "milk" with nesquik? Something with calories in? Or a banana smoothie? Or a lolly made from a smoothie?

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

The thing is - I am scared of him going anywhere for medical tests and - if it isn’t Covid - then he’d be vulnerable as he is in such a weakened state.

[Tinty]

Sounds like bad tonsillitis to me, poor lad.

[Mistlewoeandwhine]

He’s rejecting 99% of things at the moment. I will try him on vegan chocolate milk.

[Sally872]

When my ds had and tonsillitis and couldn't eat doctor suggested diluted apple juice to give some energy. Said important to stay hydrated but the water won't give him energy. After apple juice she managed some soft food maybe half a day later.