4 year old, high fever

[adultingisntworkingforme]

Posting here for traffic.

I'm ok the phone to 111 but been an hour so far and still waiting just wanted to get some opinions.

Last Sunday my 4 year old got diagnosed with tonsillitis over the phone (GP hub) got given antibiotics which he's been on for 8 days and seemed to be getting better however his temperature has shot back up in the last 24 hours and is 39.5 without paracetamol, 38.1 when he has paracetamol.
He woke up last night vomiting and with a headache, had been complaining of a headache all day, neither paracetamol or nurofen for kids seems to be working. He is saying his eyes hurt and that he is cold but he is very got to touch.
My question is do you think I should give up on 111 and just take him to a&e or would that be a massive over reaction on my part?

Don't take him to a and e wait until 111 answers please

Absolutely take him to a and e - he's very young and light sensitivity, bad headache and temperature are all serious symptoms that they will take seriously.

A & E

@Curoi I was intending to do that but have been on the phone so long now while he's just lying next to me looking sicker and sicker by the minute, and this is after a dose of medicine

I'd take him straight to A and E, those can be symptoms of very serious illnesses.

I would keep trying for now to get through to them personally, hopefully it won’t be much longer. I’d probably also input his symptoms on the NHS 111 website altering his age to make him over 5, if that says A&E then you know you can give up waiting to get through.

How is he in general? Usual self? Playing/eating/toilet etc? Go with your gut.

@Jellybean27 not his usual self, very quiet and just lying on the sofa , he's drinking but won't eat.

@WestWasnt why would I need to alter his age?

Yes was about to say the same. Is he drinking ok? Weeing normal amounts? Go with your instinct, I’d say a&e though as you’ve tried antibiotics

Cross posted. Just saw you’ve said he’s looking poorlier by the minute.

Please take him to A&E. Fever and light sensitivity can be signs of serious illness, don’t risk it.

@AlfieandAnnieRose he's not been weeing as much but has been drinking

@adultingisntworkingforme

Drinking is more important than eating. But he does sound poorly. What’s your gut telling you?

A&E

Children do run hotter and a temp of 38 we were told by GP isn't as worrying in a child, but it's still high and is not coming down to normal with painkillers - which is what you would hope. The advice we have been told twice is if this happens A&E or OOH. In the current climate I would not do OOH. They'll have a special pediatric A&E.

The website doesn’t work for under 5’s, sorry should’ve said that. After your latest update though I think I’d just take him. Hopefully they’ll be very quiet as people are staying away with minor things. I hope he improves very soon, it’s awful when they’re ill!

I’d say he’s over the tonsillitis now after 8 days of antibiotics.

I don't like the light sensitivity. I'd be off to A&E

Can you call an ambulance and have him assessed by a paramedic? The sensitivity to light would be worrying me. Hope he's OK.

Take him to a and e just as you would normally in this situation

Let us know how you get on!

Definitely A&E.

www.westsuffolkccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NICE-CG-160-Feverish-Illness-in-Children-Toolkit-080813-Final.pdf

Don't call for an ambulance if you can drive FFS. I'd take him to a&e OP, those are a few worrying symptoms. Our local a&e has a separate "possible covid19" section so you shouldn't come in to contact with anyone else displaying CV symptoms if yours is the same.

A and E. I saw something written by a paediatrician and shared by a doctor friend of mine, which encouraged parents to please not delay taking children to A and E at the moment if you would usually take them, and it made total sense. Covid19 is not the only illness around at the moment, and children will still need to be seen and treated for other things.