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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think I'm not over reacting to call 111?

77 replies

JammyGem · 30/07/2020 18:43

DD 20 months has had a runny nose and coughing a lot the last couple of days. We thought it was hayfever as I get quite badly affected as well, and she's been outside a lot recently.

But today she's really not been herself, sleeping lots, hardly eating (not like her at all!) and her temperature keeps going up and down. It's currently 38.4 and looking at the NHS website, a high temperature isn't usually a symptom of hayfever.

I rang 111 to get their advice and they've told me that a clinician will call us back. DH is in a huff with me because he thinks I'm overreacting. Maybe I am, but in the current pandemic I'd rather be safe than sorry. I think he's annoyed as he's been looking after her all of today but I was only home from work for half hour before I decided to call.

AIBU and wasting NHS resources as DH thinks? Or would you have called 111 in this situation too?

OP posts:
Withthemonsters · 30/07/2020 21:17

Just wanted to say you're definitely not unreasonable for calling 111, especially when it's concerning a child. It's an advice line, that's literally what it's there for!

IceCreamSummer20 · 30/07/2020 21:20

Trust your instincts every time. If you think your child is ‘not herself’ and there is something that you feel you can’t put your finger on - then always get it checked out. Medical professionals will trust that parents view on whether their child is really out of sorts is important - in fact it is often a question that they ask - does the parent think this is unusual for the child?

PurpleDaisies · 30/07/2020 21:24

@Mummyme87 you shouldn’t be advising giving both calpol and ibuprofen at the same time in children under 16. It’s against the nhs advice unless you’ve been told to do so by a medical professional.

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/childrens-health/can-i-give-my-child-paracetamol-and-ibuprofen-at-the-same-time/

Gogogadgetarms · 30/07/2020 21:27

@Babyboomtastic

You should have arranged a test and self isolated when she came down with the cough -not waiting till she seemed poorly Hmm

It's not for you to diagnose.

I agree.
Pebblexox · 30/07/2020 21:31

Have you given medicine op?
Of course you wouldn't be unreasonable to phone if you're concerned. However personally I wouldn't phone unless it was a temperature of 39+ and it isn't budging.
If you do phone 111 will more than likely just send you to a&e anyway, so I wouldn't bother phone if you're worried, cut out the middle made.

PurpleDaisies · 30/07/2020 21:34

@Pebblexox that’s against what the NHS tells you to do for suspected Covid. It explicitly says to phone 111 first and not got to a hospital/GP/pharmacy.

QueenOfPain · 30/07/2020 21:40

She’s remarkably like a cold or other viral upper respiratory react infection.

You are correct, no fever with hay fever.

Covid doesn’t cause a snotty nose and common cold like symptoms.

QueenOfPain · 30/07/2020 21:40

*Sounds

Mooballs · 30/07/2020 21:42

Big over reaction. Why didn't you call your own GP?

QueenOfPain · 30/07/2020 21:43

*tract

PurpleDaisies · 30/07/2020 21:45

Big over reaction. Why didn't you call your own GP?

How is calling a GP any less of a reaction than ringing 111?

Staplemaple · 30/07/2020 21:49

I mean, it's only a call back so...but I would isolate until I could test just because of covid. Forgetting covid though it sounds like a run of the mill toddler illness, nothing sounds particularly alarming.

Staplemaple · 30/07/2020 21:50

Why didn't you call your own GP?

They don't tend to be open 24/7 Confused

MrsSSG · 30/07/2020 21:51

If you (or your child) have symptoms of Covid (which are officially a cough, loss of smell or taste and a fever, but also a sore throat, headache, chest pain or wheeziness, especially in children), then the advice is to call 111. You did the right thing.

Next stage, you all need to do a test (in case you or your DH are asymptomatic) and isolate.

Hope she's better soon OP.

doadeer · 30/07/2020 21:52

I think you're right to call. Let us know an update OP

Mummyme87 · 30/07/2020 22:06

@PurpleDaisiesi am not advising anyone to do anything. I was stating what I would have done. If I’m being specific I would give calpol and a couple of hours later give nurofen.... which is exactly what happens in the medical world.

Babyboomtastic · 30/07/2020 22:07

Can someone please direct me to where it says to call 111 for a child with Covid symptoms please. I have a 15mo with a fever (waiting the results for Covid test)

Original poster
JammyGem · 30/07/2020 22:10

They reckon it sounds viral and although she said it doesn't sound like covid-19, we should self isolate to be sure. We have a test booked for tomorrow so fingers crossed all will be ok.

I realise now I should have called up as soon as she started coughing, but we honestly thought it was hayfever and she was just struggling with her runny nose. I feel shitty about not doing something to help her sooner and even shittier that I may have exposed my colleagues to it. I'm just glad we have been really strict about social distancing in the office.

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 30/07/2020 22:12

@Babyboomtastic I filled the Covid checker here 111.nhs.uk/covid-19 and it told me to dial 111 for my small child.

SpillTheTeaa · 30/07/2020 22:22

Remember there are still childhood illnesses doing the rounds and there always will be!
My DS who's just turned one had a fever of 39.9 after his birthday, slept all day, still drunk and ate thankfully but 111 sent a paramedic just to check him over.
His temp was taking ages to come down that's when they suggested I alternated calpol and nurofen and thankfully it come down. He didn't even want to walk just wanted to be held bless him. The fever started on the Thursday and finally went by the Sunday. Doctors said he was fighting off some sort infection but they weren't sure what and said he didn't need anti biotic. 🙄.

My nephew about a month before also had a fever and sensitive to light etc he got rushed in by paramedics and he had tonsillitis.

Try not to worry too much there is so much going about not just COVID Thanks

WingingItSince1973 · 30/07/2020 22:36

My DH was the same when my then 3 year old was poorly. She had been to doc twice that week. He huffed when I phoned 111 one morning. She had pneumonia and was rushed to hospital and put on a drip. Yes this is an extreme case but I wouldn't worry what other people think and just go with my instincts. Xxx

ThursdayLastWeek · 31/07/2020 16:33

The thing is, it might just be a minor childhood thing but if it presents as a high temp you have to treat it as a potential covid case.

Isolate to be in the safe side, or get a test.

111 are literally there to help people navigate the shifting guidance AS WELL as providing specific medical advice.

I hope your DD is on the mend now OP, and your DH is feeling a bit more compassionate!

Original poster
JammyGem · 31/07/2020 16:58

We all went for a test this morning. DD now seems much better, and is nearly back to her usual self, just coughing every now and then. Whatever it was she had, she's now passed on to me and DH, I'm feeling rotten.

OP posts:
GiveMeAllTheGin8 · 01/08/2020 08:42

Hope you feel better soon! Did the test results come back?

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