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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - 2 year old I’ll for over a week. A&E?

154 replies

IAmADancer · 09/01/2018 20:39

I have two year old twins who came down with chickenpox on NYE. 1 twin had a few spots and hardly any symptoms and is now fine whereas twins 2 has been ill for nearly 10 days.

He had a temp of over 39 for 5 days and I took him to the gp on Friday who said it was chickenpox and not too worry. By Saturday night I was getting concerned as he wasn’t eating, barely drinking, high temp and sleeping constantly. Rang 111 and they decided to send ambulance. Paramedics checked him out and said it’s just chickenpox but I could be referred for out of hours doctor at hospital which I agreed too. Took him to out of hours on the Sunday at 12pm as this was earliest appointment I could get. GP saw him and straight away said he has an infection on top of the chickenpox and also an ear infection and put him on antibiotics. His temperature has now come down and he is starting to eat a little bit more but he is still sleeping quite a bit, 6 hours today, not eating very much and just generally not himself. I still feel concerned but don’t know what to do. He has also had diahrrea and has had some nose bleeds. I did tell the doctor all of this.

So I suppose I’m asking if I it would be unreasonable to take him to a&e and get him checked or is he just recovering from a nasty infection? Advice please.

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 09/01/2018 21:40

Callme I’m so, so sorry Thanks

Op I really think you need to trust your gut instinct. I’m guessing he very obviously looks poorly to people who don’t know him, and no paediatric A&E in their right mind is going to object to checking him over.

By all means try 111, but please don’t be afraid to seek more help if you feel it’s needed x

Tistheseason17 · 09/01/2018 21:43

What have 111 said?

ohfourfoxache · 09/01/2018 21:43

Fucking hell Yorkshire that’s absolutely horrific. I hope the receptionist got the bollocking from hell for that one (I say that as an ex GP receptionist myself)

feetonthetable · 09/01/2018 21:44

Have you rang or are you going to head in?

Mustardnowletsnotbesilly · 09/01/2018 21:45

Hi! A&E nurse here. I know there is LOTS on the news about what is appropriate to go to A&E with and about waiting times etc. However if you are concerned please do go in. You will be seen by a triage nurse first and if they think it is inappropriate that you are there they will redirect you. If you have to wait a long time after that to see a Dr then so be it, it means that he isn't in need of live saving emergency care and he CAN wait. If they feel he needs bloods or a chest x-ray (unlikely if he no longer has a temp) then they can do that. As a triage nurse and a nurse who has run an A&E Dept I would rather you came to see me and be reassured than worry this much.

helen650 · 09/01/2018 21:46

When my DS has chicken pox he had it really badly. We were in hospital overnight due to his high temp. They did an immediate chest X-ray as this is the most common infection from chicken pox, he was started on antibiotics straight away as he had a slight shadow on his lungs.
Hopefully the antibiotics are the right ones for you ds, keep an eye on him xx

Whowhatwhy · 09/01/2018 21:46

Rat I totally agree with you. If my taxes can't cover a worried mum taking a 2 year old to be checked out then I want a refund.

Original poster
IAmADancer · 09/01/2018 21:47

I’m calling 111 first and will see what they say and go from there

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmADancer · 09/01/2018 21:48

*Mustardnowletanotbesilly

Thank you for that info, it’s really helpful

OP posts:
Tistheseason17 · 09/01/2018 21:51

You're only just calling 111?

Original poster
IAmADancer · 09/01/2018 21:54

Tiatheseason17

Yes going to call them first and either go to a&e or OOH which is at the hospital and see what they say. It will probably be quicker for me to go via OOH and be at the hospital ready then have a 10 hour wait in a&e.

OP posts:
PeonyTruffle · 09/01/2018 21:55

Trust your instincts OP, better to be safe than sorry.
Especially when your DS is so little. Hope he’s on the mend soon x

MistyMinge · 09/01/2018 21:56

Out of hours is often the way to go with something like this as they can arrange for you to go straight to paediatric assessment if needed, rather than potential long wait in a&e.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on. Flowers

Original poster
IAmADancer · 09/01/2018 21:57

Thanks everyone for your input, it’s been really helpful x

OP posts:
Cindie943811A · 09/01/2018 21:58

Let us know how you get on OP.
I hope your worries are put to rest and your LO improves really soon.

MissEliza · 09/01/2018 21:59

Your poor little baby. I know some dcs are really poorly with chickenpox but this seems far beyond even that. Don't be fobbed off.

GoodStuffAnnie · 09/01/2018 22:02

Any other symptoms? Any rash? Even little oddities.

I would be mega concerned with the sleeping for 6hours. Things that are massively out of character are very significant.

Good Luck.

MotherCupboard · 09/01/2018 22:05

I would also get further advice op probably from 111 or ooh only because i wouldn't be keen to take him out if he's settled. But if they say go then of course you go. Good luck Flowers

JustVent · 09/01/2018 22:06

If it was my kid I would take him in.

Tistheseason17 · 09/01/2018 22:07

I am just a little shocked that you've talked about how sick your child is but consulted non qualified people on MN rather than contact 111 nearly 90 minutes ago when you started posting.
Babies deteriorate quickly.
Hope they get well soon.

RandomMess · 09/01/2018 22:08

So glad you are calling.

My then 11 month old had a very bad case on c-pox plus horrific ear infection but after 48 hours of starting antibiotics she was so much better. Eating, sleeping etc

Thanks
yourhavingagiraffee · 09/01/2018 22:13

Seriously, if you feel he's not right, trust your gut.

Original poster
IAmADancer · 09/01/2018 22:14

Tiatheseason17

I am waiting for a 111 nurse to call me back to speak with me further. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter

OP posts:
Tistheseason17 · 09/01/2018 22:22

Your post at just before 10pm says you're going to ring them. So if you had rung at 8.40 and are still waiting a call back I'm sorry....

Bambamber · 09/01/2018 22:47

If you need to be seen at a+e, phoning 111 can help you be seen quicker as they can send your details through to them so they're expecting you. I phoned the other day, was told I needed to go to a+e and didn't even get to sit down on arrival, was sent straight through to the correct department.