GP won’t see sick toddler in case Covid

[SupaTeddy]

My 3yo has some sort of flu bug and is vomiting clear liquid, runny nose and cough, he hasn’t eaten since Wed and is drinking very little. The bug started on Sat but eating and drinking didn’t stop till Wed. Multiple LFT tests are negative. I have the same bug.

GP said they will telephone today but won’t see him unless he has a negative PCR. That could take another day or two to get a result and I’m worried.

AIBU to think they should see a sick child regardless when he’s vomiting and not eating? What should I do if they won’t see him?

I’d go straight to a and e in that situation. They can put you in side room if there’s a perceived covid risk.

There was a parent on here with a toddler a couple of weeks ago who went to a and e eventually in similar circumstances and realised they should have gone at about the stage you are now.

@SupaTeddy

I mean, OPs first sentence Did you miss the part where I said a hospital doctor already diagnosed an allergic reaction plus a flu bug? And didn’t mention Covid at all? I didn’t do a PCR test because the doctor had already diagnosed something else and didn’t even mention Covid.

Not one of the several doctors I saw mentioned covid. It was only due to being admitted to hospital that I was tested, as routine. I was positive for covid.

I didn't have A temperature of loss of site/smell. My cough was not continuous , it was more like clearing my throat every so often. I had other symptoms caused by covid but that wasn't known at the time.

Loss of taste even

They are also symptoms of a load of other flu type bugs that are going around.

My dd did 3 negative LFT because she all of those symptoms and 7 out her 12 friends have come down with covid and guess what her PCR test was negative.

@Thefaceofboe

I find it very, very hard to believe an A&E doctor didn’t suggest a covid test with them symptoms

Our paeds assessment would have covid swabbed him with those symptoms even if he was not admitted. Although maybe the allergic reaction symptoms were more apparent. Also if they thought it was a flu bug… never heard a doctor use that phrase.

But if the doctor thought it was actual flu (not a cold/virus etc) they could of swabbed for that too. Our swabs in hospital now cover a range of respiratory illness including covid and it’s just one swab.

Why does the patient even need to be physically seen though? Notes from the A&E visit will be on the system and the GP will be able to advise accordingly over the phone.

Yay! Another GP bashing thread.

What are you looking for here? They have asked for a PCR test, you aren’t doing that. GPs did the same with my sick elderly parents earlier this year, they did the tests, got the results the next day and the GP saw them.

Yes, YABU to insist they take someone with suspected Covid in to the surgery, no matter how old that person is.

What do you think your GP can do for a flu/cold bug anyway?

@ArabellaScott

Perhaps it varies according to area. No patient has seen a GP in person where I am for over 18 months.

What area are you in?

Whilst I have concerns about my Gp surgery, both before and throughout this pandemic, and that pretty much all appointments now begin with a telephone call, I do know that people are being seen in person where required. Myself included - and it turned out I was covid positive so probably spread it unwittingly around the surgery waiting room.

julieca, I'm glad your diagnosis turned out to be more positive. And yes, I can imagine that these appointments are confusing and difficult whether over the phone or in person.

I am very much not GP bashing, I'm sorry if it came across like that. My own GP practise has been dreadfully mismanaged for many years - it's unsurprising that it continues to be like this. I'm sure others may be different and better. I'm in Scotland, fwiw.

I'm not blaming GPs themselves, but the system(s) that they are working with and within.

The system's broken, but the GPs aren't being deliberately difficult they are trying to do the most for the most.

Yes, I'm sure this is the case.

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

I’d go straight to a and e in that situation. They can put you in side room if there’s a perceived covid risk.

There was a parent on here with a toddler a couple of weeks ago who went to a and e eventually in similar circumstances and realised they should have gone at about the stage you are now.

I see nothing to warrant an A and E visit, especially as the OP has a video appointment today.

@ArabellaScott

julieca, I'm glad your diagnosis turned out to be more positive. And yes, I can imagine that these appointments are confusing and difficult whether over the phone or in person.

I am very much not GP bashing, I'm sorry if it came across like that. My own GP practise has been dreadfully mismanaged for many years - it's unsurprising that it continues to be like this. I'm sure others may be different and better. I'm in Scotland, fwiw.

I'm not blaming GPs themselves, but the system(s) that they are working with and within.

The system's broken, but the GPs aren't being deliberately difficult they are trying to do the most for the most.

Yes, I'm sure this is the case.

Thanks. I have read since that Drs are advised to check in on future appointments that the patient does understand the condition is terminal, as either someone is too ill to take in what the Dr says, or is there can be a kind of denial kicking in where the patient just isn't ready to take it on board. Since when I told a friend what the Dr had said, she understood they were indicating I might be terminally ill, I guess I was just not ready to hear that. When they told me I wasn't terminally ill, I said - Oh! I never thought I was. I am sorry your friend is terminally ill. It is a very tough place to be.

@Wondergirl100

I have always had PCR test back within half a day.

You've been lucky. My DD's took 6 days last week.

@TurquoiseDress

In that case the GP should do a home visit

This is ridiculous

So if the GP goes off to every child & adult needing a home visit, this will impact on their colleagues left at the surgery and in turn, patients will not get appointments

GPs have time allocated for house bound patients. Usually after morning surgery. Housebound patients are just as entitled to a service as those who can get to the practice.

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango
Except this patient ISN'T housebound.
I find yo.Mir comment very naive.

[quote hashbrownsandwich]@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango
Except this patient ISN'T housebound.
I find yo.Mir comment very naive. [/quote]

What I should have said was 'I find your comment naive'.

Whether the child has covid or not is completely irrelevant to the fact the child should really be being seen.
I dont see why the importance is focused on a stupid test, which has been known to be funky lately as it is with delta, when the child is clearly in need and could deteriorate rapidly if intervention is missed all because of a stupid test.
They should just view as positive until proven negative and apply the treatment they would if the test was positive. In which case, it looks like refusing to see them for a proper assessment is a no go anyway.

Took me 3-4 days (!) to get my PCR (this was around 2 weeks ago). NHS website specifically says to go to call doctor if dehydration is an issue. No matter if it's Covid or not I feel a toddler needs to be seen if you are worried about dehydration (no tears when crying, etc). Although hopefully things will turn around soon so you can manage at home.

My antigen was first vaguely positive than obviously positive. It's been enough days that your antigen should not give a false negative anymore so I feel you can safely go in. Less obvious in kid, we never tested him but he had a runny nose too.

Our Covid started with hayfever and sneezes then fever and it became more obvious. Husband seemed okay but then vomited and it took a whole week for him to regain his appetite. Headaches, fatigue and stuffy sinus. I got rashes at the end and lost sense of smell but only after a few days. Me and husband were totally wiped out but our 6mo old seemed relatively okay.

Praying you will all be well soon.

We don’t have Covid symptoms. Just flu symptoms. No fever or loss of smell, and only an occasional cough. Plus multiple negative LFTs.

You have a cough, So you do have covid symptoms.
LFTS are also not for people with symptoms, as always listed, you do a PCR TEST.
LFTS are not for testing for covid.
It’s states very clearly ONE of the main symptoms, so yes you getting a test was the correct thing.

Your test could be back in 24hours.
Unfortunately if you do have covid no gp wants to then infect the other gps and patients.

Perhaps it varies according to area. No patient has seen a GP in person where I am for over 18 months

Yes it does, my gp has seen selected patients.
It’s triaged by phone. If a face appointment is needed, it will be booked in.
My gp is better than ever now.

Obviously GP massively U not to see an unwell toddler for any reason. Covid is now endemic. They need to see those who they saw before either FtF or online/ phone. That includes same day poorly children (who always saw the nurse practitioner anyway IMO - no need to bother actual Dr.)
Look in ears, listen to chest, temp, history, advice or prescribe as necessary. Yes obviously FtF but masks should be worn by HCPs and parents.
So if GP hiding take toddler to A&E with food, drinks, tablet, charger, blankets, pillows. Set up camp and wait.
As dentists we are now seeing all and sundry for everything including sensitive teeth!
Yes it’s busy, yes there’s a backlog but it has to be done.
OTOH as soon as anyone gets any symptoms of anything get a PCR! LFTs should be banned imo.

This is madness. I’m a Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care. We see anyone even with suspected covid. The only thing we ask is, if the individual has any covid type symptom that a PCR test is arranged. We will still see you before or after, but we request one is organised so the risk of spreading it is limited. All suspected covid patients are seen in a special ‘red’ room.

@Silverswirl

I reckon if you called 111 they would say a&e for rehydration because of the vomiting fluid and not eating or drinking. That is the main concern here, dehydration. I think he may need to go on a drip at this point. It’s happened to my young child sooner than 2 days

The first thing A&E will get OP to do is syringe juice or water into the child. Like 15 every ten minutes, something like that, a few hours of that and they'll be sent home if everything else looks ok.

Any update on your little one OP?

Yeah he has managed to eat and drink a little bit, and has played with a toy, but still very weak and stumbling. Still awaiting PCR results.

I have to say I still wouldn’t class us as having Covid symptoms. No fever, no loss of smell or taste, cough is intermittent not continuous. Plus a whole raft of other symptoms that aren’t Covid related such as runny nose and vomiting.

I also don’t see why a LFT is no good if you have symptoms. A test is a test? I should be positive on a LFT just the same as on a PCR. If LFT isn’t accurate then they shouldn’t be dishing them out.

If LFT isn’t accurate then they shouldn’t be dishing them out

Well… quite. They’re a waste of time.
A few of my friends children have tested positive for Covid recently and none had the ‘big 3’ symptoms… some had gastric symptoms (vomiting etc) and some had typical cold symptoms like runny noses/sneezing etc.
There are also loads of other viruses going round so equally as likely it isn’t Covid, but best to check with a PCR.