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Original poster

When to take baby with flu to a GP?

49 replies

VelvetPineapple · 25/02/2019 22:54

DS (1yo) has had flu/cold for a week. Very bunged up and tired, runny nose, no coughing or temperature and playing as normal. I don’t know if I should be worried that he’s still poorly after a week? Do I just let it run its course or does he need a doctor?

OP posts:
TheSheepofWallSt · 25/02/2019 22:56

It’s not flu.

PurpleWithRed · 25/02/2019 22:56

If you’re not worried about him and he’s snotty but happy then I would say no need.

gamerchick · 25/02/2019 22:58

It doesn't sound like flu. It doesn't sound as if he needs a doctor from what you're saying.

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Falafel19 · 25/02/2019 22:59

Definitely not the fly if he's still playing as normal, that's just a cold, no need for gp.

INeedNewShoes · 25/02/2019 23:00

It's definitely not flu (has to be a stubborn high temperature for that) but could be all sorts of other things.

Having said that, the lack of temperature should also rule out things like ear/throat infections etc.

If they're playing happily and only have a runny nose I wouldn't take them to the GP just yet but if they seem uncomfortable in any way or if breathing fast/laboured or they're not feeding properly then I would be seen asap.

talktoo · 25/02/2019 23:01

No temperature and playing as normal? It's a cold.

ImPeppaPig · 25/02/2019 23:02

If he had the flu, there would be a lot more going on. His body would ache, he would have a temperature, he'd be sweating but cold. He most certainly wouldn't be playing as normal.

I'm always shocked by how many people refer to the cold (or even a snotty nose) as the flu.

whitehorsesdonotlie · 25/02/2019 23:02

It’s not fucking flu! It’s a cold! Look on NHS website for symptoms of flu...

RancidOldHag · 25/02/2019 23:03

Rule of thumb is to go when a symptom has been going on for at least 3 weeks, or when a potentially serious symptom is present (such as very high temperature, confusion or loss of consciousness, rapid or laboured breathing, unusual lethargy, scanty/dark urine)

Thankfully It doesn't sound as if your DC is that ill

Original poster
VelvetPineapple · 25/02/2019 23:12

I can’t tell if he has flu symptoms. He can’t tell me whether he has aches, chills, headache or other symptoms that distinguish flu from cold. He doesn’t seem to have a temperature although he did slightly in the first couple of days. I’m just concerned that he’s tired and struggling to breathe because of being bunged up, and it isn’t better after a week.

OP posts:
Tea16 · 25/02/2019 23:19

When someone has flu they literally cannot move. Your baby is playing therefore is not flu.

Original poster
VelvetPineapple · 25/02/2019 23:26

Not having flu doesn’t mean he doesn’t need a doctor. Which was my original question. If he can’t breathe and has been choking on snot for a week, at what point do I call a doctor?

OP posts:
Tea16 · 25/02/2019 23:31

Sorry but this seems standard for a heavy cold. What have you done to help symptoms??? Pain relief, humidifier, nasal spray, etc? Im not sure what the doc would do?

Original poster
VelvetPineapple · 25/02/2019 23:36

I don’t know what the doctor would do. I’m not a doctor. I have no idea what’s standard for a heavy cold in a child - I’ve never had a child before and this child has never been ill before. I’ve given him Calpol and Vicks but he isn’t any better after a week. Hence why I asked more experienced mums what I should do. I really didn’t expect people to respond to my question with f words.

OP posts:
Quooker · 25/02/2019 23:45

This

MyDcAreMarvel · 25/02/2019 23:49

Your baby has a cold give him plenty of fluids , calpol if obvious pain. Use baby Vicks/olbas oil.
It might be an idea to see a GP yourself for anxiety.

HeartStrings · 25/02/2019 23:53

I'd get DC checked over OP, follow ur instincts. I took my DD (1yo) back today after taking her once last week. She had a cold but I took her back today because of temperatures and she has a lower respiratory infection so is on antibiotics.
If you feel DC needs to be seen then there is no harm in taking them.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 25/02/2019 23:53

If he's playing as normal, not coughing and has no fever, it's certainly not flu.
Flu makes anyone feel seriously rotten. Sounds as if your baby just has a bad cold.
There's a Vicks-type thing for babies called Snufflebabe (I think). Might help with the bunged-up-ness.

MyKingdomForBrie · 25/02/2019 23:55

Colds can hang around in little ones for two or three weeks without it being anything to worry about, mine have had that before and I haven't taken them to the dr.

As long as he's still eating/drinking ok and doesn't have a persistent temperature I'd just ride it out, calpol do a vapour plug in which I've found good for night time.

Don't worry about the grumpy posts, people on mumsnet really hate anyone using the word 'flu' for any illness that is not medically certified as such!

timeisnotaline · 26/02/2019 00:01

If his breathing is struggling it could be bronchiolitis, common in babies and can need hospital if their oxygen starts to struggle. I think the main signs are rapid breathing and if their chest just under their sternum is moving with breathing. Possibly wheezing also? Google will help and if you’re worried about it take them to the gp.
I’m the first to tell a colleague or friend to get a grip and if male man flu isn’t flu, but babies can need checking out for cold symptoms adults would be fine with. I know a lot of babies who have been in hospital with bronchiolitis and no adults I can think of who have been hospitalised with complications from a cold.

GunpowderGelatine · 26/02/2019 00:08

Take him to a pharmacy and ask them for advice, he doesn't have an infection by the sounds of it so there's nothing a doctor could give that a pharmacy can't

KinkyHair · 26/02/2019 06:24

When someone has flu they literally cannot move

Of course people can move if they’ve got the flu!

ImPeppaPig · 26/02/2019 06:33

Moving when you have the flu is definitely difficult. Your body aches and your head is spinning making movement tricky, so I understand why the PP was getting at.

If you're worried about your son, I agree that a trip to the pharmacy would be the best first step. You can ask the pharmacist to check him over. They will be able to advise you of which medicines to use and they will also tell you to go to the GP if they feel it's necessary.

Mrscog · 26/02/2019 06:35

Hi Op, I wouldn't be too concerned about a 1 year old with no temperature who was bunged up but playing normally. Other posters are right - definitely doesn't sound like flu, he'd be wiped out and not playing.

Most toddlers are snotty for months on end as they go for one cold to another.

Symptoms to worry about more are - listlessness, reduced urine output, temperatures that don't respond to calpol.

Bananarama12 · 26/02/2019 06:44

Have you tried a vicks plug in in his room for night time? As long as he's not struggling to breathe OP (apart from because of the snot) he will be fine without a doctor .

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