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Original poster

3 year old with flu

77 replies

Not111 · 14/12/2019 05:49

I don’t know where to turn really!

3 year old DS has flu. I had it last week and just getting over it, been horrible.

DS temp has been between 38.5-40.2 since Tuesday. Calpol or nurofen brings it down for 1-3 hours but then it’s up again. I don’t feel I can keep giving it at the levels I have been but I can’t just not give it with a temp that high?

Anyway - I’m not sure what to do. Nearest out of hours is an hour away which DS isn’t really up to. It’s staffed by nurses who have always been a bit drippy to be honest and just tend to send kids to A&E. DS is DEFINITELY not up to sitting in a norovirus-ey A&E on a winter Saturday for several hours.

And anyway even if I did go, all they’d do is give calpol surely!?

I can’t ring 111 for advice as they will just send an ambulance or send us to A&E. They don’t seem to give actual helpful advice.

Really don’t know what to do!!

OP posts:
user1480880826 · 14/12/2019 06:06

Call 111. You don’t know what advice they will give until you speak to them.

Did you and your child have the flu vaccine this year? If not, why not?

Aridane · 14/12/2019 06:10

Whether or not child had flu vaccine, child now has flu!

Are you staggering the carpool and neurogenic?

Aridane · 14/12/2019 06:10

Are you near a pharmacy to ask for advice?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3 year olds Behaviour & development Children's health General health
Original poster
Not111 · 14/12/2019 06:12

I do know, their stock answer with anything more than a grazed knee is go to A&E, or they send an ambulance. They once threatened to report me to social services if I didn’t turn up at A&E with my child after I protested that I really didn’t think she needed to go, I just wanted advice.

Flu child had only just turned 3 and hasn’t been offered the vaccine. Obviously I wish I’d just taken him to the GP to get it now but I didn’t know you could.

Older children have had the vaccine; they’re fine.

OP posts:
Original poster
Not111 · 14/12/2019 06:13

Are you staggering the carpool and neurogenic?

Gotta love autocorrect 😂

Yes keeping at least 2 hours between

OP posts:
Original poster
Not111 · 14/12/2019 06:14

Temp 39.2 now again!!

OP posts:
eurochick · 14/12/2019 06:14

My five year old is just getting over it. We managed it at home with calpol and plenty of fluids. She passed it to me and I can confirm that it is awful. I'm 43 and I don't think I have ever had flu before. It's nothing like a bad cold. I have been completely wiped out by it.

To the smart arse asking about flu jabs, my daughter was due to have it at school but... was off with the flu that week. As a normally healthy adult I'm not offered it. However my mum did have the jab this year and she has also had this flu, so it seems like it is a strain that was missed.

Original poster
Not111 · 14/12/2019 06:14

Wish I had a friend or relative who was a gp to just give me some sensible advice!

OP posts:
Coldhandscoldheart · 14/12/2019 06:17

Is the temp making him very miserable, especially at the lower end?
If not, I would hold off dosing, you don’t actually have to treat a temp. I mean,he won’t be fully fit& bouncing off the walls, but the temperature itself isn’t necessarily harmful.

Original poster
Not111 · 14/12/2019 06:17

I usually get the jab every year but haven’t gotten around to it this year - won’t be making that mistake again!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Not111 · 14/12/2019 06:19

Yes, v miserable, looks ill, crying and just lying about the place.

Given nurofen now as it’s 39.7 latest check, and he’s writhing around crying - last had calpol at midnight so I’ve held off as long as I could.

OP posts:
OytheBumbler · 14/12/2019 06:29

If he's had it since Tuesday I think you do need to get proper advice, even if it means he has to go to a&e.

Thanks
user1480880826 · 14/12/2019 06:35

@eurochick healthy adults don’t get “offered” the vaccine. You just go to your local pharmacy/supermarket etc and pay £12 for it. Blows my mind that people don’t bother.

Also, to the OP. All children over 2 years are given the flu jab for free. For toddlers it’s the nasal spray. Your surgery should have contacted you. And if they didn’t or you missed the letter then you should have contacted them.

Original poster
Not111 · 14/12/2019 06:38

All children over 2 years are given the flu jab for free. For toddlers it’s the nasal spray. Your surgery should have contacted you. And if they didn’t or you missed the letter then you should have contacted them.

Well no shit, Sherlock.

As already stated up thread, I’m now aware of that. But have a 🏆 anyway 👍

OP posts:
Sirzy · 14/12/2019 06:39

Is he drinking and weeing ok?

Hope he feels better soon. Flu is horrid.

Original poster
Not111 · 14/12/2019 06:41

If he's had it since Tuesday I think you do need to get proper advice, even if it means he has to go to a&e.

I just think that driving over an hour to A&E then sitting in a germy waiting room all morning is going to be horrific for him. And surely all they’ll do is medicine and plenty water? It’s not like it’s a broken leg that needs fixing? Oh I wish I just knew what to do!!

Plus I’m concerned I’ll be one of those timewasters. Argh!

OP posts:
Original poster
Not111 · 14/12/2019 06:42

Yes drinking and weeing ok which is reassuring

OP posts:
DoTheHop · 14/12/2019 06:44

I'd be extremely concerned. A&E.

Impatientwino · 14/12/2019 06:47

I totally hear you re not wanting to go in to A&E. Ours is horrid - despite the staff being totally lovely- it's always full of bug ridden kids.

That said I wouldn't feel comfortable continuing to treat a fever like that in such a young child at home any longer. Particularly as it's going over 40. If he's that poorly I'd give 111 a call and talk to them.

Sorry I know that's not what you want to hear. They may be able to give some fluids or alternative meds, they might take bloods to see if there is anything else is going on.

At this stage I'd want proper sound medial advice.

Best of luck Thanks

Tinselette1940 · 14/12/2019 06:47

I'd call 111 and see what they say. Don't worry about being a time waster if you are referred to a & e. They'll check him out. He might have a secondary infection for example. Flowers it's really stressful having a sick child. Hope he's better soon.

TreacleBee · 14/12/2019 06:48

My surgery will do a same day telephone appointment with a GP. Any chance yours does?

fuckitoff · 14/12/2019 06:56

My ds 2 is still waiting for his nasal spray after contacting our GP numerous times for an appointment. We had our letter weeks ago to arrange it and they keep saying they will be in touch once an appointment is available so there's no guarantee op would have even been able to take her ds for it yet. Not helpful at all. Op I hope you and your son feel better soon.

Sirzy · 14/12/2019 07:00

You wouldn’t be a time waster getting him checked over if your worried.

They can rule out secondary infections which may require antibiotics at least. Or provide reassurance that what you are doing is right.

HRH2020 · 14/12/2019 07:01

Could you ask for telephone appointment with gp? If necessary sometimes they can fast track you through paediatric a & e

eurochick · 14/12/2019 07:03

@user1480880826 I'm a healthy adult. I had an unpleasant few days but am recovering fine. As I said, this is the first time in 43 years I have had flu. The nhs doesn't offer the jab to people like me for a reason and I don't see the need to top up. This experience hasn't changed my view on that. Anyway, as mentioned, my mum's experience suggests this strain wasn't covered in any case.