Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

DS has been ill for a week

36 replies

CookingProblem · 07/12/2019 12:47

My DS, 6, has been ill for a week now and no signs of getting better. He has a dry cough and is honestly coughing constantly. He wakes up at night and will have 20 minute coughing fits. As in coughing non stop. He has a sore throat and a temperature. Calpol brings it down but it comes back as soon as the medication wears off. He doesn't have any cold symptoms and isn't bringing up any phlegm.

Dd has had a bit of a sore throat but is fine. Everyone else in the house is fine.

Not sure how long to leave it until taking him to the gp. I don't want to waste their time, plus I probably wouldn't even get an appointment for at least a week anyway.

OP posts:
Choufleur · 07/12/2019 12:48

Go to the gp. I’ve had a cough for a week now, feel really shite. Went to the gp on Thursday and was given antibiotics and steroids.

Fouroutoffour · 07/12/2019 12:49

I'd call 111 for advice. What does it say on the Calpol bottle about how long it can be used continuously? Also have a look at NHS advice regarding fevers.

LittleSwede · 07/12/2019 12:51

How many days has he had a temperature for? Is he eating and drinking ok? How us he in himself?

I would be tempted to phone the 111 for advice. If necessary they can sort out an Out of Hours appointment with a GP.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Children's health General health
SophieSong · 07/12/2019 12:51

I don't think it would be wasting their time at all, especially given his age. My doctors, you have to wait a crazy amount of time for a normal appointment - but you can get on the day emergency ones, and I took my child for just this sort of situation a few months ago. Glad I did as he needed antibiotics which sorted him right out.

It's been over a week with no improvement so I would call for an emergency appointment first thing Monday, or 111 over the weekend.

Original poster
CookingProblem · 07/12/2019 12:52

He's not eating much and has been having a sleep everyday which is very unlike him, although he's not been getting much sleep at night. I don't know if I'm being over the top by ringing 111 though.

OP posts:
ForeverAlone1987 · 07/12/2019 12:52

My son was the same, so after a few days I took him to the docs, and they said viral. Gave it a couple more days and his cough got worse, so back to the gp, and they diagnosed a chest infection. So he was on antibiotics for a week and the worst has cleared up. If you're not sure, just ask for an emergency appointment. Always better to be safe x

Original poster
CookingProblem · 07/12/2019 12:53

I'm going to ring 111.i suppose the worst they can say is I'm overreacting and he doesn't need to be seen. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
CookingProblem · 07/12/2019 12:54

I thought you needed to be bringing up mucus for it to be a chest infection though?

OP posts:
SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 07/12/2019 12:54

Some info here: www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

If he’s had a temperature for a week then I would definitely get him seen.

Bluerussian · 07/12/2019 12:55

Do go to your GP as it has been a week and you've done your best. It's probably viral and will take its own time but better safe than sorry.

DonPablo · 07/12/2019 12:58

The worst that can happen is that they tell its viral and to keep doing what you're doing. So do ring 111.

Woukd he have a warm honey and lemon drink to soothe his throat? Or plain yoghurt and honey? Hope he's on the men's soon, poor mite!

DonPablo · 07/12/2019 12:58

Mend. On the men's would be well weird!

Ithinkwerealonenowtiffany · 07/12/2019 12:58

Oh poor thing. My DS is on day 2 of this and is totally flat, fever, cough, snot. But after a few days ill be expecting him ti be better.

If I were you id call OOH for advice.

VenusClapTrap · 07/12/2019 13:29

After a week of no improvement you should definitely take him to the GP. It happened to me; eventually Dh rang 111 who told me to see the gp within the hour on an urgent appointment. The gp sent me to hospital. I am slowly recovering on antibiotics.

Original poster
CookingProblem · 07/12/2019 14:07

111 are going to give me an out of hours appointment. Thanks for your help everyone I'll come back and update later.

OP posts:
Original poster
CookingProblem · 07/12/2019 20:01

Just to update. Had a bit of a nightmare. Went to ooh. Go said dss oxygen saturation levels were low (93) so we should take him to hospital. Took him to A&E and the nurse said his levels were 95 and fine so didn't need to stay, just make a gp appointment Monday if we wanted antibiotics.

OP posts:
Girliefriendlikespuppies · 07/12/2019 23:19

That sounds a bit naughty of a&e tbh, SATs of 95% for an otherwise healthy child are on the low side. Am assuming they listened to his chest?

If you're not happy op go back via 111 again.

Original poster
CookingProblem · 08/12/2019 04:09

Well I did think that. I'm no expert but ds has had a sleep study done before due to sleep apnea so I know a bit about it. 95 is the cut off aparebtly though. DS has just come and woken me up burning hot again. No they didn't listen to his chest or anything. Literally weighed him, took his blood pressure, said his heart rate was slightly up. Pulled a face when I explained what was wrong. I said the gp had sent me because of low oxygen saturation and she looked annoyed and said 'but they are fine?!'

OP posts:
Haybo26 · 08/12/2019 04:30

Hi, my partner has not long come out of hospital after spending 8 days in with pneumonia. His initial symptoms were exactly the same as your sons. The Dr misdiagnosed him twice. The burning up at night was the biggest concern and loss of appetite...just wasnt like him at all. You know your son best...keep a close eye on him x

Alrighteo · 08/12/2019 05:04

Go back to A&E.

LittleSwede · 08/12/2019 07:21

So the nurse sent him home without him being seen by a doctor at A & E? Does sound a bit naughty of them.

I would probably take him back again if you are worried. Hope he is ok OP.

I took DD into A&E (after phoning equivalent of 111) with 40 degree fever, dry cough and just not being herself. It turned out to be flu rather than pneumonia but it was worth having her checked over. It's a bit early for flu now in December though.

aurynne · 08/12/2019 08:23

Has anyone considered (and swabbed him for) whooping cough?

ChasingRainbows19 · 08/12/2019 09:03

Could it be flu? The length of illness and lethargy with the cough but no proper cold? Loads of children testing positive for flu in my area atm. Sats sounded ok at 95 our cut off is above 92 for no oxygen requirements, but should of been checked by a doctor or maybe the nurse was an advanced nurse practitioner?

fligglepige · 08/12/2019 09:08

Hope he feels better today Thanks

LittleSwede · 08/12/2019 09:30

chasingrainbows that is the exact symptoms my DD had when she had flu (as I posted earlier), hadn't realised that we had entered flu season though. That is good to know. How do they test for flu? Just curious as DD only just had her flu nasal spray at school a week ago which I think was a bit late.

How is your DS today OP?