it's an A&E one!

[MrsTatum1980]

I don't want to be that parent tying up a&e but I'm umming and aahing. 10 month old has had diarrhoea since last Saturday when we returned from holiday (nowhere exotic or Ebola esque) fine in himself so no real concern, now we're 36 hours into him also being lethargic, not eating, nasty cough and little red pin prick dot rash on tummy.
Contacted 111 and had out of hours appt at 5pm, instantly before looking, diagnosed viral infection similar to rotavirus. Upon checks his throat was very red and inflamed but again, it would be viral. Temperature was 39.1, prescribed cuddles and seeing how it went.
He's absolutely boiling despite ibuprofen, shattered but wakes up crying or after a poo and he just seems so poorly, normally a little crawling bruiser/whirlwind but won't even crawl, just lays his head on blanket and does a pathetic cry until picked up. He's in bed now but just checked and restless sleep, head wet with sweat. Do I stick it out as a viral infection or get him checked out? AIBU to ignore doctor (who was lovely) and take him to a&e or do I accept it's just a viral infection making him very poorly? He's not pfb and just seems so out of sorts. Sorry it's so long

Hope he's ok op x

You don't need permission from mumsnet to take your DC to A&E. You know your kids best so go there or a to a walk in centre if you are worried, whichever you think is most appropriate.

Hope he's ok. Poor ds

How is he this morning OP?

Hi all,

Thank you for your all your concern. ChunkyMonkey- it wasn't permission I was seeking but reassurance, we hear so much anout the stretched NHS and I didn't want to be that nuisbace parent! I know it sounds daft! And had he got worse I wouldn't have hesitated.

We saw OOH's doctor who pretty much said the same thing 'it's viral, nothing they can do' but did all the checks again which reassured me enough to take him back home.
His temperature is still high ranging between37-38 but he's clearly not as hot as yesterday. He's still very poorly though, very lethargic and now totally refusing food. (still drinking though) Tried every bribe going and even milky buttons got refused!
Booking a GP appointment first thing tomorrow and asking them to take a stool sample as regardless of 'it's viral, nothing they can do' I don't think a 10 month old should be left with diarrhoea for what will be 9 days!
We returned from a Balearic Island but in all honesty he was fine even with his 'trots' right up until Friday, it's amazing how quickly they deteriorate. If he does get to 39 again today I've already decided we're going straight to a&e as I hate seeing him like this.

Just googled Giardiasis, definitely insisting upon a stool sample now!

Definitely push for the stool sample - DH and DS1 both caught e-Coli 157 (from a prepackaged sandwich we think) - They weren't too ill from it but took ages to clear DS1's system. Anyway it needs to be ruled out as can really affect kidneys. But then there are the other nasties which he could have.
Hope that it is just a virus but better to be sure.

And it is stating the obvious but do be super careful not to catch it yourself from changes etc
Last thing you need is to feel ill yourself!

(I am the idiot who caught Ds1's non ecoli bug and spent a night in the A&E loos puking while Dh sorted Ds1 out with the doctors - he had bad D&V but had to be checked for ecoli first before they could take up to the children's ward for a drip - got to love reportable infections!)

There's nothing wrong with asking them to consider admission for some rehydration through a drip - even just for a few hours. He won't be getting nearly enough fluid.

All the best - horrible thing to go through xx

Hope he gets better v. Soon.

I identify with the stretched nhs/nuisance parent thing too. Sometimes it's really hard to call, and hearing lots of other parents saying 'I'd go' gives you the confidence to feel like you aren't wasting anyone's time.

i know you said he's not eating, but with the liquids, please dont give him milk.

Its not well known, but sometimes children can develop lactose intolerance during a stomach bug, and it can prolong the diarrhoea problems :)

I hope he's either sorted out by a dr or feeling better soon.

Hope he's ok. Stool sample definitely a good idea.

Poor love, would he suck a frozen banana or ice lolly ?

Ice lollies
Jelly is another good one for getting fluid in
And Gatorate or similar to rebalance electrolytes.

Also, try a tepid, not cold, bath to manage temperature and keep him comfortable. The reason ibuprofen / paracetamol is no longer so recommended is that they now believe running a fever helps children fight the virus. Obviously dose up and seek advice if temp runs dangerously high (39.5+)