Worried about my youngest

[Winchestermom35]

He had chicken pox about 3 weeks ago & hasn’t been quite right since.

He’s constantly shattered to the point he’s napped every day for the past week for over an hour. He’s not napped for a year (he’s 4). He’s had a cough, runny nose, high temp. He’s barley eaten or drank much during that time. He’s lost weight. Enough so it’s quite noticeable.
He can rally for an hour or so & then he needs a sleep. He managed an egg hunt this morning at home but wouldn’t eat them 😪.
any advice? Keeping his temp down, but struggling to get any food or liquids in him

Definitely call 111 as that doesn’t sound right.

The thing is, he rallies pretty well for a while & looks fine for an hour or so. We keep thinking he’s doing better only for him to fall asleep again.

It doesn't sound right and I think he should see a GP, but unless his current temp isn't responding to calpol or ibuprofen I'd get through the bank hol weekend and make an appt for Tuesday- it doesn't sound serious enough to sit in OOH for.

To reassure you, DD had scarlet fever at same age and was rundown and unwell for ages after- lots of extra naps, weight loss etc. GP said we just needed to keep an eye and that the virus had knocked her for six. He advised lots of full fat milk shakes and things she liked eating in short term to tempt her to eat and get calories into her

OP, that is exactly, and I mean exactly what happened with my niece last year and she was hospitalised with a virus and pneumonia. I don't mean to frighten you. But the bouncing back for a little while then regressing again, and lack of appetite, sounded so familiar. Incidentally, because she kept happening to be in a "good moment" when doctors saw her, it went on for far too long before they realised. Phone 111.

Sounds like post-viral syndrome. Except that you don't tend to have a fever with PVS. AFAIK the only 'cure' for PVS is rest and good nutrition. It can take a few weeks to get over a viral infection.

Definitely give calpol this weekend, lots of rest and fluids, and get him checked by the GP asap after Easter.

If he becomes lethargic or difficult to rouse, then I would take him to A&E.

Thanks guys. Our doctors are brilliant at the “he’s fine. He didn’t really need to come in look”. Plus you can guarantee he’ll be at a “good stage” of his day by the time we get there. He’s rallied for a bit & will see how he gets on this afternoon/tonight. Might ring 111 tomorrow. Just needed some reassurance.

Good plan OP. I must add that my niece's only developed into pneumonia because it was left so late, and she wasn't being pushed hard enough to eat a little and stay hydrated. I bet your son would like fruit juice ice lollies on a day like this to keep him going. x

They’re only things keeping him going at the moment 😆 & sweets. He played for maybe 10 minutes & is back on the couch 😖. Managed to get some ibuprofen in him though so that’s a start. He might even eat some barbecue if we’re lucky.
We’ll see how he gets on but good to know i’m not alone in being concerned.

After a bad virus he will need protein. Even if it's only very small bits of red meat. Sounds like he's running on empty and needs some proper nutrition