Toddler flu - very drowsy - when to get checked?

[BackAgainSlimLady]

I know it sounds silly but I suffer with health anxiety so sometimes I see things worse than they are/am a worry wart.

but DS (nearly 3) has got flu; he’s had it since Sunday; we were in hospital Monday for 12 hours having bloods and X-rays as he got a limp with his temp. They diagnosed flu, said likely his joints are inflamed and to carry on with calpol at home.

we’ve been giving calpol; but he seems unusually tired; he had a bit of energy at the hospital and was playing a bit ect. But for the last couple days he’s barely had his eyes open; he must have been awake for no more than a hour in total yesterday and he seems a bit ‘delirious’ when he does wake up; he just looks about with very sleepy eyes for a few minutes then says he’s tired and goes back to sleep.

I did read that flu can make then tired for a few weeks during/after infection.. but does he sound a normal level of tired for the flu?

i feel silly asking so please don’t judge 🤧

Why don't you give 111 a ring? They are trained to look for more serious signs.
(I used to work as a health advisor for NHSDirect).
I think he does need another check and you know he does if you are asking the question. You know your boy and that he isn't right.
I hope he gets better soon for you.

I would get him checked today

I'd definitely ring 111 for advise.
Hope he feels better soon

No, this is an extreme level of tiredness, I would ensure he sees a doctor today.

I don't have health anxiety and I would definitely get him checked out. He's very young and children of his age can deteriorate quite quickly (they can also bounce back quite quickly!)

With his symptoms I would make sure you ask 'could this be sepsis?' It is very unlikely that it is, but it is important to ask the question so that it is considered.

If this is unusual for him - if you have never seen him like this before - then also say that. Medical professionals are good at assessing patients on a general scale but it is helpful for them to know if a patient has unusual symptoms for them and they do recognise that a parent knows what is and is not typical for their own child.

I hope he recovers quickly and that is the most likely outcome by far.

My LO had flu over Christmas, it lasted for weeks. He's 8 months. He was really lethargic and slept alot, could barely keep his eyes open. As he got better the tiredness subsided and after 3 weeks he's back to his usual self!

Some very nasty flu bugs around at the moment for sure

Does he have a fever along with the tiredness? If yes, I’d ring for advice. If no fever, I wouldn’t be too worried.

I was very ill earlier this month with something like the flu/sepsis (it wasn’t either but I’m going through cancer tx so similar symptoms just they couldn’t figure out the source of the infection). I had a fever for about 5 days, but was pretty much in bed for about 10 days. It’s totally normal for adults to miss about 2 weeks work with the flu, so you can imagine how a child feels.

He will be completely drained for a few weeks. I would be concerned though if he had a fever that you couldn’t control with paracetamol and ibuprofen or if he had a rash.

Absolutely have your son checked over again. Drowsiness, joint/muscle pain is a sign of flu but it can also be a sign of meningitis and/or septicaemia - please familiarise yourself with the symptoms. A person doesn't need all the symptoms either. Always trust your gut, and yours is saying 'something doesn't feel right'. It most likely is the flu causing the tiredness, but it does seem extreme. Children deteriorate just as quickly as they bounce back.

Chances are that it's the flu completely flooring him, but given his age and your concern, then I'd call the doctors and ask to be seen today.

Better to be on the safe side.

i would advise A&E- the symptoms you are describing need sepsis to be ruled out due to drowsiness/delirium, I’m guessing he hasn’t barely drank anything so will be dehydrated also, please take him today don’t delay

Is he drinking and having wet nappies/peeing?
fever?
I think I’d want him checking over with that level of drowsiness.

If he’s not perking up after the calpol (even for a bit) then get further medical advice.

Fairly normal for the flu, but I’d get him checked out again.

How is he @BackAgainSlimLady?

He’s much better now. Had a couple days of super tired sofa days, temp went away and he complained of belly ache for a few days too but his energy came back and he’s back to normal now.. although he does keep saying he wants medicine because it’s yummy 🤨🤨