Anyone awake - anxious about my son

No way we are neurotic as a nation! We had a visitor from Singapore and took her to Scotland in February (don't ask why, I know it is stupid). She saw P1 or P2 boys going to school in grey wool shorts (!!!!!!) and wool blazers (no overcoat) when it was raining and snowing at the same time. I told her it is their school uniform and they are not allowed to change into long trousers in winter! She said (her non-pc words) that is why Britain ruled the world at some point - how do they not die of pneumonia? Why are their parents so neglectful? She was shocked, not surprised but shocked.

Few days unwise, get him checked

Same in my household - my 7 year old proudly tells people that he's had the same cough for 7 years (he hasn't, but it does feel like it sometimes when he gets over one and a few days later has a new one!)

My 18 month old currently has a cough and a fever, his temp yesterday was 39.4 coming down to 38.4 with Calpol and he spent the entire morning sleeping on the sofa but by 3pm was his usual annoying charming self. He's had another rough night but unless something major happens over the weekend my plan was to treat at home and take him to the GP Monday if he still has a temp (day 5). All these "call 111" and "go to A&E" responses have me second guessing myself now!

My ex SIL taught me a trick after her mum developed sepsis in the UK and it took too long for a GP appointment, then GP did not recognise sepsis and it was too late, even if the autopsy showed it was a relatively simple to stop, non-pseudomonal infection. So my ex SIL always has antibiotics at home, in tablet form, for gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. She does not use them, but it gives her some peace of mind that her mum's story would not be repeated. She procures them in Egypt and other places I don't remember, when on holiday (no prescription).

It sounds like a perfectly normal cough. No wonder the NHS is on its knees with people on this thread all advocating for immediate medical attention, especially the one who gets their child checked whenever they are ill just to be safe. When did we become so neurotic as a nation? It is really normal to cough more at night. Things which help, blowing their nose if the cough is wet sounding as it's often nasal drip causing the cough. Cold air. Things like albas oil or vick with menthol in can help. Sipping water. Also hot water with honey and lemon to lubricate thr throat.

Whooping cough starts with a mild cough which gets worse. Both my teenager had it just over a year ago and it was a typical mild, bit of a cough/ cold at the start which got worse over the next 2 weeks. This sounds like one of the viruses doing the rounds currently.

There are hundreds if illnesses that cause cough and fever. Unless your kids are in the same class at school for example, you can’t just blithley say it’s the same thing going around. Sorry, but it’s one of my bugbears on the MN lurgy threads!

One of the DCs' cousins is 6 and still gets croupy coughs that require a steroid inhaler. If he's 6 he will tell you if he's having issues breathing. Good luck

It’s also the natural diurnal variation of cortisol which means the immune system kicks in more overnight that paradoxically makes you feel worse (just like in a reaction to an immunisation).

Could it be whooping cough?

Both my kids just had this illness, the exact same with the fever and cough, it’s rife at the moment. Just keep topping with calpol, it settles after 3/4 days.

This was what I was wondering so it’s a good reflection OP. At 6 years old, I would probably not be worrying at this point - I thought he would be a baby/toddler. It will be much easier to judge how ill he is when he is awake. Eating and drinking ok? Playing? It’s pretty typical to feel crappy with the temperature, but when it goes down with calpol they feel a bit better - this is a good sign.

Having said this, as per PP, no one is going to tell you off for getting him checked. Try to use it to calibrate your sense of little bit ill or ill ill.

Yes, this. Some things, eg pneumonia, develop very quickly, especially in younger people. Keep an eye out for any signs he’s struggling to breathe, like difficulty talking or eating, ‘retracting’ under his ribs, general breathlessness etc etc

I personally wouldn't take mine in for this, it's a mild fever and it sounds like he had a decent chunk of sleep. He will probably spend all weekend sleeping on the sofa coughing and spluttering and be fine by Monday. If he's not fine by Monday then absolutely go to your GP. Unless, he's struggling to breathe (Google tracheal and intercostal tug) this sounds like a normal virus.

His parasympathetic system will have kicked in at night which makes everything worse when it comes to colds and coughs. See how he is when it's daytime and if he is struggling to breathe then get medical help.

I have health anxiety too and reading about the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems really helped me understand things and panic less.

Coughs are always worse in the night. This sounds like the cough virus that a huge number of us have had. Calpol again for now, and see what he's like in the morning when he's been upright for a while.
Taking someone with a viral illness to an oy of hours clinic where they'll be waiting for ages and coughing over everyone, shouldn't be fine lightly. Give it some time. Things always seem worse at night, and coughs always so when the person has been lying down.

Honey is better than cough syrup, try a teaspoon or two of that

The quick onset sounds exactly like when we all had flu which is awful but needs to run it's course. I got both of mine checked out though in case (was hoping actually) it was a chest infection because the fever and coughs were awful. Hope he perks up soon x

Definitely take him to get checked OP. He sounds like he’s very poorly and he’s only 6.

See I'd watch and wait. He's had a cough but his body is doing it's thing using the temperature to burn off the germs.

You can always seek medical attention if he gets worse.

I'd get him checked as I'd be worried about a chest infection. If it's not then there's no harm done and the drs seen him.

@Anxiousmother23 steam in a bowl of water. you need to hold him tightly. keep his head under a towel. just for a few minutes and hold his arms. unless you have a facial sauna?? buy a couple of bottles of calpol today and make sure you dont run out of it. there are many viruses going about. if you listen carefully to his cough. listen for croup or congestion. put some big books under the top of his mattress so he sleeps elevated.

Also this was my daughter's 4th fever of all time too, so just like you, my anxiety was at the roof.

Hello my darling, I'm sorry to hear this.

I also have anxiety and a few weeks go my little girl (5.5) had the exact same symptoms, was sleeping all day, temp upto 39.5 and even taking calpol and ibuprofen temp would only come down to around 37.7, this lasted 3 days, cough started on day 2,

After day 4, temp was around 37.9, so not too high but also not the norm, and cough was getting alot worse.

Then day 5 perked up loads and thought we were seeing the back of it.

Day 6, woke up crying, falling asleep just after waking up so got her booked in to GP and was given antibiotics for a chest infection.

I hope your little one gets better, but as another mum who suffers with health anxiety, you'll know when it is not anxiety and you need to get them seen. Pay attention to his cough, is it dry? Is it chesty? Coughs and fevers are scary but they're a good think, they're fighting the virus and keeping any nasties off his lungs.

sounds like you both fell asleep - hope the morning feels better