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AIBU?

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Original poster

I suspect sepsis - have I been fobbed off?

133 replies

teamaven · 16/08/2026 11:26

I called an ambulance for my 5 year old daughter this morning (who is never ill and I’ve never phoned an ambulance so to me it was serious). She woke up at 1:30am screaming and crying that her lower left side hurt. She said she couldn’t move and wouldn’t settle all night despite us thinking she’ll be fine and trying to go back to sleep - then started complaining of a headache at the back of her head and her temp went up to 39.9.

She was extremely hot to the touch, a bit confused and lethargic so I panicked and called an ambulance. After an hour of Neurofen her temp went down to 38.4 and stayed like that for a couple of hours.

I suspected a urine infection (possibly that had developed into sepsis!) because she has had one before and her pull up (she’s still in them at night) was so heavy and absolutely reeked. Her urine test showed signs of infection so the doctor agreed it was probably an infection that had travelled up.

Now, I did ask him to do a blood test anyhow and he said it wouldn’t show anything, but would it not show how bad the infection is ie sepsis? He sent us home with 10 days oral antibiotics and daughter is asleep now but I’m scared that based on her symptoms it was much worse than just a urine infection? The very high temp, lethargy, confusion, headache?

Can anyone provide what the usual pathway is when a child comes in with those symptoms? I feel like we shouldn’t have been sent home - at least to be observed over a few hours?

OP posts:
ScaryM0nster · 16/08/2026 11:43

I think your perception of a uti might be the issue here.

UTIs are infections. The clue is in the name. Infections tend to make people feel unwell.

I hope you got safety netting advice (eg if she gets worse, gets more lethargic, doesn’t improve with paracetamol / ibuprofen then come back).

Sepsis is when the infection response spreads further round the body. It shows in symptoms more than in blood tests.

Ten days is a pretty hefty antibiotic course. Rest, plenty of fluids, pain relief, antibiotics as per the instructions and monitor her.

If she deteriorates go back. Otherwise she’s better at home.

ToffeePennie · 16/08/2026 11:43

Threetyy · 16/08/2026 11:38

An as far pathways.. you should have seen the furore when my daughter went in. They aren’t going to do that Willy nilly. Straight on a table. Ivs in, blood draws, lumbar punctures without anesthetic.

It was horrendous. You don’t want them doing that ‘just in case’

It’s horrifying isn’t it? My baby was only 6 weeks old, I was rushed out of the room by a lovely nurse but I heard his screams down the corridor, just absolutely horrific.
Op you do not want her going through that for nothing!

TheStepboardisfullofbitteroddos · 16/08/2026 11:42

How was she when she left the hospital. I've had sepsis and wouldn't be worried with those symptoms. Sounds like a normal infection.

Threetyy · 16/08/2026 11:38

An as far pathways.. you should have seen the furore when my daughter went in. They aren’t going to do that Willy nilly. Straight on a table. Ivs in, blood draws, lumbar punctures without anesthetic.

It was horrendous. You don’t want them doing that ‘just in case’

HollyhocksandPeons · 16/08/2026 11:35

What does he mean blood tests won't show anything? How dares he? Abject, disgusting liar. If you really really really suspect it is sepsis, take her to a different A&E yourself, but pronto, if you think this is sepsis.

Threetyy · 16/08/2026 11:35

Urine infections are very bad even without sepsis.

Sepsis is you die within 24 hours. If she gets worse go straight back.

Urine infections can kill you slower but still a risk. They are not mild things.

My daughter nearly died of one at 6 weeks old. She spent a week in hospital dripped up and was lucky that she only lost one kidney.

’Just a UTI’ is really not the phrase that comes to mind.

I am not trying to panic you by saying this. You have antibiotics. If she’s getting worse go straight back. Ask for a kidney check too - they can’t do this immediately they need to wait 6 months to see what the final damage is.

ToffeePennie · 16/08/2026 11:34

If she had sepsis she wouldn’t be back at home. My baby had sepsis at 6 weeks old. They are really careful about it.
She is on antibiotics and that’s all they can do for her anyway, even if she does have sepsis, it’s not like “here’s a magic pill that cures it” it’s just more and more antibiotics.
All of her symptoms point to a nasty UTI, possibly cystitis and they seem to have done the right thing (would you rather she risks getting a worse infection being in hospital, or that she’s home, safe and being cared for by her mum?) and given her antibiotics.
If she gets worse after a few days, take her back, but I would put money on it that she’ll be feeling better once the fluids and antibiotics have started to work.

LoafofSellotape · 16/08/2026 11:29

She has antibiotics, keep up with fluids and pain killers. A UTI can be awful. If she gets worse then you seek advice again.