When to take baby with flu to a GP?

[VelvetPineapple]

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?

Can you raise the head of his bed,
can you go to your health visitor for advice?

DS has been snotty for about 2 weeks now, no temperature and playing as normal...he's been going to nursery/out as normal. Does your lo go to nursery/ regular playgroups yet...they'll probably start getting colds all the time then, and you'll stop worrying.

For the future my personal 'this is worrying' sign in DS has always been if he has a high temperature and it doesn't go down with calpol.

If it cost you £36 to see a GP would you take him? That's how much it costs the NHS to cover the appointment. Why don't you take him to the pharmacist if you're worried?

I feel sad that there are people swearing at you and suggesting you need to see a doc for anxiety. Really uncalled for posts some of these. I would say go by his overall state, if he is playing happily and no temp, then let it run its course, but if he worsens or is struggling to breathe then definitely seek an appointment. Pharmacy for advice first is a good tip tho. Your query sounds completely reasonable and I would have wondered just the same as a first time mum.

If you can't shake a gut feeling that something is not right go to the GP.
I am usually a very stoic person, my DD would tell you have to suffer from one of the more minor forms of death to be of school.
But twice in the last 15 years I have just she was really ill and bern like a dog with a bone. Neither times did she have a temperature, it turns out she has a very pain threshold, but I just knew she was really unwell. At 5 months old she had a mastoid abscess and a month ago appendicitis.
Do not ignore your gut.

If it were me OP I wouldn’t take him. If he develops a fever and isn’t behaving as he normally would e.g he becomes lethargic and wont play. There’s lots of helpful info on the NHS website about colds, including about when to call a doctor. I’ve referred myself there many a time.

He needs plenty of fluids, to be kept warm, eat as and when he can manage, some saline spray and calpol for fever or pain. And loads of cuddles. Colds can hang on forever. We’re into our 3rd week here!

He has a runny nose/,cold. This doesn't need a doctor. Almost all kids get colds. You don't need to rush to the doctor every time unless he's actually poorly.

my DD would tell you have to suffer from one of the more minor forms of death to be of school I might be still half asleep but didn't actually understand this sentence!

If you're worried get doctor to have a look. General rule with babies is too trust your instincts and get him looked at. No medial professional will ever critise worried mum getting vulnerable child looked at.

Won't harm and they can check oxygen levels and listen too his chest

Dreadful advise fuck Face. Never make New mum worry about accessing doctor.

For your information my DD just before she was hospitalised for breathing issues, had no temp...was able too sort of play and had no temperature.

If any one is worried about breathing in small child.... it takes moments for a doctor to access.

When someone has flu they literally cannot move.

Made-up bollocks. The flu varies in severity like most other illnesses.

However, OP’s child sounds like he had a cold, which is miserable but will get better.

I'm afraid both my DC had pretty much permanent colds and bunged up noses during the winter months from the ages of 1-3 or 4. They seemed to move from one cold to the next with almost no break. If there's no temperature or cough, there isn't usually the need to see a doctor.

A steam inhaler was the best thing but it made the paint start peeling off the bedroom wall in my house! You can buy some plug-in vapourisers in Boots that seem to help at night time. Also, use a pillow or something to elevate his head when sleeping.

Whilst I agree with everyone saying it's not flu- it doesn't necessarily mean taking him to the doctor is pointless!
DS 8mo was ill with a cold in December, no temperature, still smiling and playing. His breathing was laboured though. After a few days I took him to the doctor and she was furious with me for not bringing him sooner. An ambulance was called and he was admitted to hospital for 5 days with bronchiolitis.

For just a blocked snotty nose no. Small children take a bit longer to overcome a common cold especially at this time of year.

With mine I've always watched out for, temperature. If it is slightly high but comes down with Calpol I let it rub it's course. If it goes high and doesn't come down then go get checked.

Playing with ears, tilting head to one side or off balance get checked most likely ear infection.

Watch for wet nappies to make sure they're weeing regularly, if not can be a sign of dehydration.

If it's just nasal you can buy nasal drops at pharmacy to give some relief from congestion

My 7 month old has had a cold for a least a month now, we're just coming out the other side of it this past day.. there is nothing a doctor can do unfortunately and often cold last a lot longer than a week.

Lala I know

This is awful that people are trying to shame op into getting child looked over.

OP if your worried enough to ask here get him checked.

The very problem with breathing issues is that they can be difficult to miss.

I saw a poster in my GP surgery a few weeks back that said the average cold takes 10-14 days to resolve.

If it's a virus (very likely) there's nothing the dr can do. For breathing steam helps (google how to do it) and for congestion vicks or obus oil really help (check age guidelines but I used it)

If breathing gets to the point that your dc cannot play or temperature going up consistently then time for the dr

Nope. Not necessarily true. Both times my DD was hospitalised ... no temp...

OP please don't worry.... as I said... it's always best to trust gut, no doctor will ever mind checking DC over esp when so young...

If he's playing and not a temp, then it's not flu, he'd be letharic and flaked out. Sounds like a common cold.

If he’s playing as normal and there are no issues with his temperature or breathing, I wouldn’t go to the doctor.

@VelvetPineapple
If you are worried about your child's breathing you should take him to Dr or call 111. I'm an A&E nurse and have had many small ones in recently with bronchiolitis or croup and a few have been quite unwell. With no temp!
If you can hear a wheeze or his chest looks like it's being sucked in or just looks 'different ' get him checked
Hopefully it's just all snot (which is not nice either, but not life threatening) and he gets better soon

The lack of cough or anything means it doesn’t sound too worrying. If you are concerned then have a chat with your local pharmacist that is what they are there for.

Lack of temperature doesn’t always mean it’s nothing serious but from what you have said the combination of things does sound like “just” a cold. But it’s never nice when a child is unwell and sometimes you just need reassurance which the pharmacist should be able to give

@TheFuckfaceWhisperer you have to be really unwell to be allowed to stay home no minor colds etc.