To get a second opinion?

[graceelli121]

Ds 11 months ran a fever last night and projectile vomiting. Took him to A&E but they said he seems fine and looks like a viral infection.

They gave him some ibuprofen and he woke up this morning fine. He’s ran a fever again and been dry retching but has kept food down. He’s had calpol and neurofen.

I have severe health anxiety and I am panicking like mad. They told me not to even think of meningitis as he’s had viral one and they’ve said it’s not the bacterial one. I just feel like taking him back for another opinion.

If it's less than 24 hours and his condition hasn't deteriorated then I would stay home and keep an eye on him.

If they had serious concerns then he would have been admitted.

Taking him up to A&E would be an overreaction and a waste of resources. If his condition gets worse then call 111 before going anywhere. If he develops the urgent symptoms for meningitis (as that's your concern) then it's a 999 call.

He is okay in himself when the fever shifts but I am anxious and I’m a FTM.

They gave him ibuprofen and he was vomiting?

Ibuprofen is not good for the stomach at all

But in answer to your question
No I wouldn’t get a second optimum unless no improvement at all by tomorrow

I’m surprised you took a kid with a fever and sickness to a&e when a fever is a covid symptom.

Maybe baby needs a covid test to rule that out?

Does your GP do phone apps?

My kids often get fevers and are often sick, probs picked up a bug from somewhere

Keep baby hydrated- cucumber, water, milk, yoghurt etc

He’ll have a lot of viral bugs in his time. You’ll spend a lot of wasted hours sat in hospital if you take him in for this kind of thing. Kids get sick with a fever and vomit often in a lot of cases.
Get familiar with red flag symptoms for sepsis and meningitis and use your GP service otherwise.

OverTheRainbow88
You can go to A&E with a baby running a high fever. They just put precautions in place. A friend had to and was advised to because at that age they could go either way quickly. Certainly our trust is still taking the same approach to babies as they did pre-covid.

He’s already had viral meningitis and I panicked. They said he could even be teething because he was pulling his ear and chewing his hands and a lot of dribble. I’m so anxious

You say he is ok in himself when the fever goes down, so what is it that is making you most concerned?

Anxiety means you're not necessarily thinking logically, so try and look at it from a logical point of view.

He has been assessed once already. His fever is coming down with medication. He is alright in himself when the fever comes down. He is keeping food down today, which indicates he is doing better than yesterday. So which bit is making you think you need a second opinion.

If your anxiety levels are high, have you called your local perinatal mental health team or your GP? My concern is that if you don't get this under control you're going to get overwhelmed every time he gets a tooth or has a cold.

Right now try giving him cuddles, regular calpol and some TLC. This will pass and if things get worse then you know how to get appropriate medical care.

Sounds like a normal viral infection.
I wouldn’t have taken a child to A&E with those symptoms unless it had gone on for days but I can see why you are anxious. I don’t think you need a 2nd opinion, these viruses seem to last 2 or 3 days, it sounds totally normal.

He had RSV and ended up on ventilation at 6 weeks old, then viral meningitis at 10 weeks old.

I do panic

I hate the sign of temperature, and because he can’t say where he’s in pain I just get so so worried. Sorry I know it seems petty and I have contacted my GP today about some form of CBT cos my health anxiety just goes through the roof.

I originally took him to A&E for rapid breathing and grunting which they said isnt a concern as it’s caused by the temp, when the temp is down he is fine and normal - playing etc.

Going to a&e was not appropriate. You only need to go if the temperature doesn’t come down with drugs. Why didn’t you ring your gp if worried? I think you should contact your gp and ask for help with your anxiety.

I have contacted my GP. As I said previously I only went because he was breathing fast and I didn’t know a temp caused it.

Perhaps try and speak to your GP, practice nurse or health visitor for advice and reassurance before they close.

@KatieB55 thank you I hadn’t thought of his health visitor.

When he shows anything like this I can’t think straight

One of my twins was seriously ill in hospital with a virus at 9 weeks (and he had only come home from NICU the week before). It was really distressing so I understand getting anxious when they get sick.

It’s important to remember that he’s bigger and less vulnerable than he was back then so he’s unlikely to go downhill as quickly - keep up with the fluids, keep an eye on his temperature, feed him some bland food if he can keep it down. Sickness bugs are absolutely awful - both our twins and both of us caught norovirus when they were younger and it was absolutely awful but it passed.

Obviously if you’re seeing signs that he’s struggling to breathe then you’re right to get him checked out

I think you’ve had a bit of a hard time here OP. Your wee one has given you a few scares in his 11 months, so it’s understandable that you’re anxious. We are constantly told as mothers to trust our instincts. Don’t feel bad for trusting yours!

I hope your little one is better soon

He seems absolutely fine once the nurofen kicks in and he didn’t sick his bottle and porridge up today so I’m hoping we’re on the mend.

How can ppl say she wasn’t appropriate to go to A&E with a very poorly baby? Rapid breathing in a baby is so scary to see, especially if a ftm and have never experienced it before.

In current climate it’s almost impossible to talk to a GP, OP did the right thing at the time. I’ve had my child at the walk in (basically A&E triage) at the hospital before due to a temp and rapid breathing and not once did anyone imply I was wasting their time. He had sepsis as a newborn and theres no fucking chance I’d dilly dally around if I wasn’t sure next time.

Doctors say mums instinct is incredibly important.

OP - hope baby gets better soon.

? Rapid breathing in a baby is so scary to see, especially if a ftm and have never experienced it before.

Yes I agree, but this wasn’t mentioned originally.

I’m hoping the nasty bug will go away, I’ve changed a slimy bubbly poo and not relishing doing another haha

Does anyone have any idea how long typically these viruses last?