Does this really warrant A+E?

jazzyoldjim · 2022-03-15T17:39:49+00:00

On Sunday DH (35) was running round the garden with our 4yo and his cousins. He jarred his back and it was sore Sunday night and really sore all day Monday. Monday pm he was feeling ill, tired and achey and went to bed. Today he's woken up iller than he's ever felt. He has chills, high temp of 38.6 and a horrible taste in his mouth. He has slept all day. Negative covid test. We used 111 for advice and a 111 operator called him and told him to go to A+E within the hour. We are a bit 🤔 do you think it really warrants A+E?

AffIt · 15/03/2022 17:43

Is his discomfort responding to anyway OTC medication - for example, does paracetamol reduce his temperature, warm/ice compresses and/or ibuprofen help the muscle aches?

Sounds more like a coincidence than anything, tbh. I had a horrible bloody cold last week (first one for two years, NOT covid) and I had very similar symptoms, bar the running around in the garden with pre-schoolers.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/03/2022 17:44

Yes, he could have an infection. Is he going to the toilet ok? You've been told to go to A and E so go.

FloraPostePosts · 15/03/2022 17:44

You have been given advice by a medical professional. Why do you think that a) you or b) a load of utterly random people on Mumsnet know better?

Do you crowdsource other professional advice?

Get him to A&E.

Wowzel · 15/03/2022 17:44

Yes, he needs to go and ensure he doesn't have sepsis.

MrsRobinsonsHandprints · 15/03/2022 17:46

No it doesn't warrant A&E, I mean it's not as if a trained medical call handler has triaged him and then just for shits and giggles told you to go to A & E. Obviously MN is the place to go to get the correct answer.

The only way this post would be acceptable is if you are hoping to cash in on his life insurance.

Teastheword · 15/03/2022 17:48

They might suspect sepsis.

Catclean · 15/03/2022 17:49

Just fucking go to A+E.

JuneOsborne · 15/03/2022 17:53

Why did you call 111?

What do you think is going on with him?

Teastheword · 15/03/2022 17:56

@JuneOsborne

Why did you call 111?

What do you think is going on with him?

She probably didn't know what was going on and that's why she phoned 111.

BigYellowTaxiT · 15/03/2022 18:15

They will be wanting to rule out cauda equine syndrome, which is likely why you’ve been referred to ED.

BigYellowTaxiT · 15/03/2022 18:16

*equina

LizDoingTheCanCan · 15/03/2022 18:22

If he isn't in the habit of feeling the worst ever, and it doesn't sound like he is, then he should go to A&E.

It is funny that some think 111 operators are medical professionals though, or even well trained! They're not, they're simply following a script. That does mean too many people being referred to A&E (and sadly, many serious illnesses missed), but better to be safe than sorry.

Quartz2208 · 15/03/2022 18:27

iller than he has ever felt

111 said A&E

why wouldnt you?

Meandthesky · 15/03/2022 18:29

YABU to ask MN rather than follow advice from a service specifically designed to help you decide what service is most appropriate.

FloraPostePosts · 15/03/2022 18:30

@LizDoingTheCanCan

If he isn't in the habit of feeling the worst ever, and it doesn't sound like he is, then he should go to A&E.

It is funny that some think 111 operators are medical professionals though, or even well trained! They're not, they're simply following a script. That does mean too many people being referred to A&E (and sadly, many serious illnesses missed), but better to be safe than sorry.

Their scripts are written by medical professionals, and the people who answer the phone have access to further medical advice if needed.

Whereas I’m an archaeologist.

I think I’d know who I’d bet on being better qualified to advise on what to do in this situation.

ThelmaDinkley · 15/03/2022 18:31

Could have a kidney infection with back pain fever and chills. I’d go to A&E. you gave to act quickly with sepsis. Hope he feels better soon.

ENoeuf · 15/03/2022 18:32

People seem to put a lot of stock in 111. It’s not a doctor on the end of the line (although they do often get one or a nurse to call back). I’ve often not gone to a and e because the system has told me to and it’s been ridiculous. However that’s my personal risk assessment and I would never advices anyone else not to go. So you’ll have to go and hope he’s ok.

carefullycourageous · 15/03/2022 18:35

Either the two things are unconnected and just happen to have occured at the same time, or they are connected and thus an investigation is needed.

No one can tell without checking.

Your choice is take a gamble they are unconnected, or follow the NHS advice you have been given.

A&E is sometimes recommended for urgent checks of things that are usually nothing but may be something. That is why you have been advised to go.

FelicityBennett · 15/03/2022 18:35

Could be pyelonephritis or obstructed stone causing pain and temperature. the incident jarring his back could have be coincidental and not the cause of the pain.
Alternatively he could have covid or a cold and a sore back. Ultimately he needs to see someone as he feels so unwell and a and e is appropriate of further investigations are needed

FloraPostePosts · 15/03/2022 18:38

@ENoeuf

People seem to put a lot of stock in 111. It’s not a doctor on the end of the line (although they do often get one or a nurse to call back). I’ve often not gone to a and e because the system has told me to and it’s been ridiculous. However that’s my personal risk assessment and I would never advices anyone else not to go. So you’ll have to go and hope he’s ok.

I’ve found them accurate each time I’ve dealt with them - and I’ve had to speak to doctors and nurses at different times as well as call handlers.

Fine if you don’t believe that the service is worth using (and if you felt happy you know what the appropriate course of action is, why did you bother ringing in the first place?), but if the OP felt that calling them was necessary, I don’t know why she would then disregard what they told her. If she wanted a second opinion she could have, at that time of day, contacted her GP surgery. But instead chose to get her second opinion from Mumsnet. Which is just silly.

Spidey66 · 15/03/2022 18:41

I rang 111 with a gallbladder attack during lockdown . I knew it was a gallbladder attack . I was waiting for surgery. Not quite sure why I did…pain relief or something. I was off my head with the pain. An ambulance was there before I hung up. I was mortified, even if I needed A& E I would have gone in a cab.

A few months later I fell off my bike and was on the ground unable to get up cos I had a broken shoulder. The ambulance was an estimated 2 hours away….probably cos they’d been sent out elsewhere unnecessarily by 111 I had to call my husband to take me to hospital and was only able to get up with the help of some very kind witnesses.

Northernlurker · 15/03/2022 18:44

If you go to A&E and it's NOT sepsis then all that happens is they discharge you with advice. And possibly drugs. They don't charge you or tell you off or let a little old lady die cos you're there instead. They just deal with your needs.

If it IS sepsis they will save your life.

If you don't go to A&E and it IS sepsis then you end up dead.

Just go to A&E.

Spidey66 · 15/03/2022 18:45

Ps on hindsight I shouldn’t have rung 111 in the first scenario before any one gives out but anyone who’s had gallbladder pain will know how bad it is and what it does to your brain.

Spidey66 · 15/03/2022 18:46

And I’m not saying the op should go against their advice, just that their call handlers are not infallible

100problems · 15/03/2022 18:46

Well if you don't think the medical service you sought advice from is accurate that's your, or rather your husbands.

As for Mumsnet advice; well I could help you pick a royal tiara or shoes to match a wedding outfit or possibly ad a witty anecdote to a chat thread but I'm not sure that's helping him.