Any doctors about? DS (12) has had flu for a week

[Biscuitsneeded]

Just that really. In the morning DS (12 and otherwise healthy) will have had flu for a week. His temperature is peaking at about 102F every day (was 103 on Thursday) and he is dizzy if he tries to walk. Has to be held up when taken to the loo etc. Has vomited a few times but I think more from catarrh and/or dizziness from the fever - but has complained of tummy ache and headache too. He has times of day where his temperature is normal and he can look at his phone or a book, and I start to think he's getting better, but then he feels too ill again, and the temperature shoots back up. Is this normal flu? For exampel today he work up - temp 102. Gave him calpol and later on some ibuprofen. He was pretty groggy all morning. This afternoon with no further medication he looked better, managed some smiles, ate some toast etc. The this evening he called me in and said his head was hurting again and his temperature was 101.5F. Is it normal to have these periods of improvement followed by relapses? How much longer is it likely to last? Poor kid is so unhappy at having his Christmas ruined and losing so much of his hard-earned holiday... Should we just wait it out, or call GP tomorrow and ask for a blood test in case it's not just flu?

Maybe give the GP a call. Last time I had flu it was 2 weeks before I felt more human

Seek proper medical advice from 111 (or similar). No one can diagnose with out seeing your child.

My dds were like this when they had flu years ago. We had our GP make a house call on Christmas Eve as I was so worried. It did take about a week for the temp to subside.
Always worth getting checked if you are worried, but it is normal for flu, especially if he is on any meds to bring down his temperature as it will lower and then go back up again as the medication wears off.
I hope he is better soon, flu is horrible.

Yeah, pretty normal - he's lucky he's getting lucid cool moments, tbh. I've only had flu maybe three times, but it's always been two weeks at least before I was at all useful again, three weeks before I felt decent.

He probably doesn't need bloods. He might well benefit from someone listening to his chest, checking his ears and throat etc for secondary infection.

DS3 has flu, had the fever for a week but then developed a chest infection so got antibiotics for that. I’d give the gp a call tomorrow.

Thanks. Will call in the morning if no better. Pretty sure no extra issues. Throat, ears etc all ok and cough although bothersome doesn't sound chesty. Just need the thing to leave him alone now!

No such thing as ‘just flu’. Yes flu does last for around two weeks but you are guessing it’s flu.
I’d take him to see a doctor.

I always perk up in the afternoon then deteriorate again in the evening. That is not unheard of. Usually with bad cold/ flu like illness. I don't take my temperature so can't compare that.

If you are worried call 111.

Unfortunately no one can answer this question over the Internet. But after a week of persistent fevers I’d seek medical attention. Hope he feels better soon.

Before all else I would consult a GP especially if he is having pain anywhere- ears, throat, chest, when urinating, severe loose stools etc but in case there is an infection but otherwise sounds like the flu/virus. It takes some time to recover from and he may feel weak for some time.

I'd get him some rehydration sachets OP such as dioralyte or similar and take the calpol systematically as directed rather than every so often then a break. Disinfect regularly anything he is touching and encourage him to get up and move about for short periods when he is having good spots. Lying down for a long time can play havoc with the inner ear for some but if he is dehydrated from a fever that will not help.

Poor kid. Hopefully he's on the way out of it soon OP.

Proper flu is hideous. ☹️ I've had it about 3 times in my life and each time I was in bed for at least a week, and I felt very low for a few weeks after.

I'd maybe request a home visit to check there's no other infection and then just ride it out. I was exactly the same as your son each time I had flu.

Thanks all for advice. I am cautiously optimistic he may be a bit better. No high temperature today and he walked downstairs unaided before crashing out on the sofa!

Glad he's improving Biscuitsneeded; make sure he continues to get plenty of rest, as he'll feel the effects for a little while yet.

Yes, all he's done is lie about but at least he managed the stairs today! Slightly raised temperature again this evening but not nearly as bad as previous days. Poor little chap, I feel so sorry for him!

Flu is horrendous. It took me around 2 weeks before I started slowly feeling more human again. I would have spells where I thought I was getting better then I would crash again. I've never felt so bad ever

Glad your ds is feeling a little bit better, hopefully he's back to himself soon

Symptoms all sound very similar to what my 14yr old son had. I thought he had the flu purchased flu capsules, no improvement so I took him to the the doctors. He had a viral, and was really dehydrated. I would take him and get him checked out by your GP.