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Original poster

Wtf is this awful bug? Toddler coughing and vomiting for weeks

35 replies

MaryMaryVeryContrary · 28/06/2024 17:47

Posting for traffic. DS is 15 months. 6 weeks ago he caught a cold/cough. It’s got steadily worse since then, he might have the odd ok day when we think he’s improving then it comes back with a vengeance. His chest sounds awful, he’s gone from being toddler chubby to being able to see his ribs at the back. He’s barely eating and drinking half his usual milk. Last week he started vomiting and this has happened every day since. Usually around dinner time he just throws up everywhere and can’t keep down even the few mouthfuls that he eats. He’s exhausted, I’m exhausted and when the fuck will he get better? He’s been to the GP 3 times who says ‘just a nasty bug, he’ll get better’ but I’m losing my mind.

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MulberryBushRoundabout · 07/07/2024 18:27

Glad to hear he’s turned a corner OP. I hope you can catch a break now, even leaving aside the worry it is exhausting when little ones have D&V!

AllThePotatoesAreSinging · 07/07/2024 18:24

MaryMaryVeryContrary · 07/07/2024 18:20

It is clarithromycin! He hates it. By way of an update he hasn’t been sick since my last post and his appetite is greatly improved. He’s a lot happier and more energetic. His cough is still awful so I’m hoping they’ll take a closer look at his follow up. Thanks again everyone

All I can say is Mary Poppins was absolutely right. Sugar and slowly x

AllThePotatoesAreSinging · 07/07/2024 18:24

Forgot to say, she was sick 25 minutes after the antibiotics and as the information I found online was conflicting I called the children’s ward to ask whether I needed to give her the dose again - they said that I didn’t have to give the dose again as it was enough time for it to have absorbed. Worth checking with your hospital ward for reassurance at least x

Original poster
MaryMaryVeryContrary · 07/07/2024 18:20

It is clarithromycin! He hates it. By way of an update he hasn’t been sick since my last post and his appetite is greatly improved. He’s a lot happier and more energetic. His cough is still awful so I’m hoping they’ll take a closer look at his follow up. Thanks again everyone

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AllThePotatoesAreSinging · 07/07/2024 18:16

MaryMaryVeryContrary · 01/07/2024 19:17

DS went back to the hospital today as they offered us a follow up. They examined him and did a chest x ray which revealed a streak of consolidation so have prescribed antibiotics for infection. He’s still being sick but they don’t seem concerned about this as he goes a few hours between vomits and is therefore able to keep down liquids and some food. He just brought up the antibiotics. I’m at a loss to be honest - he’ll have a good half a day or day when we think it’s stopped, then it starts up again. He’s going back next week to check the antibiotics are working and I just hope the vomiting has stopped by then as I’m on my knees with stress and exhaustion tbh. He’s been unwell for 6+ weeks.

have you been given clarithromycin? It’s vile. We went back to hospital the day after as she (11m) was projectile vomiting as soon as she tasted it. We ended up with the tablets instead and had to crush them and give them that way. Still tasted foul. Trial and error with the doctors but we ended up crushing half a tablet then mixing it with sugar syrup instead of water, then making it up to 5ml with a combination of cordial and sugar syrup (literally the cocktail mixer) and that was the only way she would take it without vomiting. Even then it took 10 mins at first to get it all in her and we still had a couple of voms. I’m not feeling guilty about the sugar as it was 5ml twice a day and to be honest desperate measures and whatever it took to get the antibiotics in. For the strain of bacteria there wasn’t a better option for antibiotics. Hope he feels better soon, it’s so tough when they are poorly.

QuestionableMouse · 01/07/2024 20:25

I don't know if he's too young but could you try some travel sickness tabs to get on top of the vomiting? Speak to the pharmacist and see if there's anything that might help?

Original poster
MaryMaryVeryContrary · 01/07/2024 19:17

DS went back to the hospital today as they offered us a follow up. They examined him and did a chest x ray which revealed a streak of consolidation so have prescribed antibiotics for infection. He’s still being sick but they don’t seem concerned about this as he goes a few hours between vomits and is therefore able to keep down liquids and some food. He just brought up the antibiotics. I’m at a loss to be honest - he’ll have a good half a day or day when we think it’s stopped, then it starts up again. He’s going back next week to check the antibiotics are working and I just hope the vomiting has stopped by then as I’m on my knees with stress and exhaustion tbh. He’s been unwell for 6+ weeks.

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QuestionableMouse · 29/06/2024 10:53

Glad things are improving! 😊

Original poster
MaryMaryVeryContrary · 29/06/2024 10:01

Quick update but DP took him to hospital last night, he’s been thoroughly checked including for UTIs and swabbed, they weighed him and said he has lost weight but not a concerning amount. They felt his tummy and said nothing of concern either, all felt normal and no blockages or anything. He ate a banana and fruit pouch which miraculously has stayed down so hoping he’ll turn a corner. They said lots of D&V around and these things can linger. Hopefully my little guy will be on the mend soon. Thanks for all advice

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QuestionableMouse · 28/06/2024 18:47

No, not ott at all. He's unwell with worrying symptoms and not getting any better.

HandsDown84 · 28/06/2024 18:38

It's not OTT if he has had rapid weight loss and not kept his main meal down for nearly a week.

Original poster
MaryMaryVeryContrary · 28/06/2024 18:36

Thank you. 111 are absolutely useless round here and we won’t even be phoned back let alone seen. Would it be OTT to take him to A&E with a view to just waiting until somebody sees him and mentioning everything on this thread?

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AllThePotatoesAreSinging · 28/06/2024 18:35

Ask them to swab for mycoplasma. It can cause the symptoms you describe as it can sit near the stomach causing vomiting as well as being a chest infection. My 1 year old just had it. I had it a few years ago and developed walking pneumonia. They weren’t even going to swab her as they were insistent it was viral, but I pushed for it. Good job as it can turn very nasty and she needed 10 days of antibiotics. I know a few people who have had it recently so worth ruling out. Hope he feels better soon.

OneFancyOtter · 28/06/2024 18:33

Mention the threadworm thing to the next doctor you speak to and get their advice on it. Don’t give him anything without checking with the doctor first. Good luck with it! I hope he feels better soon.

Original poster
MaryMaryVeryContrary · 28/06/2024 18:31

Rebusmyfire · 28/06/2024 18:28

Is he having alot of dairy?
That can irritate tummies when not well.
Don't suppose you have a decent Health Visitor to talk to.

No he’s CMPA

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 28/06/2024 18:28

MaryMaryVeryContrary · 28/06/2024 18:27

His big sister had suspected threadworms and we all took the medication last week but he couldn’t as too little..
could it be worms?

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I'd very much doubt it. Don't mess about dosing him with random stuff. You need proper medical advice - I'd be pushing for chest xrays and bloods.

Rebusmyfire · 28/06/2024 18:28

Is he having alot of dairy?
That can irritate tummies when not well.
Don't suppose you have a decent Health Visitor to talk to.

OneFancyOtter · 28/06/2024 18:28

Worms can cause those symptoms.

Original poster
MaryMaryVeryContrary · 28/06/2024 18:27

QuestionableMouse · 28/06/2024 18:26

Do you have a children's A&E near to you? I'd take him there and get him checked by the staff there.

No, just an adults one with a wait time of 8 hours. We’ve taken him already, he ended up exhausted and unhappy from being awake all night, they checked him over and sent him home. This was 4 days ago

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Original poster
MaryMaryVeryContrary · 28/06/2024 18:27

OneFancyOtter · 28/06/2024 18:26

Has he been around any pets? Have you tried giving a dose of vermox? Might be worth considering.

His big sister had suspected threadworms and we all took the medication last week but he couldn’t as too little..
could it be worms?

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 28/06/2024 18:26

Do you have a children's A&E near to you? I'd take him there and get him checked by the staff there.

OneFancyOtter · 28/06/2024 18:26

Has he been around any pets? Have you tried giving a dose of vermox? Might be worth considering.

Original poster
MaryMaryVeryContrary · 28/06/2024 18:22

He’s been vomiting for 5 days. I don’t even know what out of hours would do differently - every time they just check his obs, make sure he’s not too dehydrated and send him away. What do I even ask or push for? I have no idea

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DrinkFeckArseBrick · 28/06/2024 18:16

How long has he been vomiting for? If two or three days then I'd assume it is a nasty virus, and that has put his defences down and the sickness bug has made him worse. If he has been vomiting for longer than this then he needs to be seen and I'd call 111 and get him to see out of hours

Riversideandrelax · 28/06/2024 18:10

MaryMaryVeryContrary · 28/06/2024 17:50

He’s had all vaccinations and the Gp says it’s not whooping cough, I’m convinced it might be but they won’t test him

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What does the cough sound like? With whooping cough it is very distinctive. It's a rapid coughing fit where you are coughing so rapidly and for so long you have to gasp for breath in between. You often vomit while coughing.

This doesn't sound like that though. We had a nasty cold recently which seemed to have a gastro side to it too. It sounds really nasty for your DS. Perhaps ring 111 for advice?