When to call the doctor - Covid

[Meltyicecream]

My 5-year-old tested positive for Covid yesterday and is not feeling well at all.

She has a mild fever (38 degrees) diarrhea, poorly tummy, headache, slight cough, very tired and has been trying to play today but mostly falling asleep a lot. She's not really eating or drinking.

But that's not what's worrying me. She says her chest is heavy, and when I took her up to bed a few minutes ago she told me her knees were hurting as well.

She's had some Calpol and gone to sleep now, but I'm really concerned. Do these symptoms merit a call to the doctor, or should she try to sleep it off? Thanks

Just call 111 better to be safe than sorry x

I've got covid and my knees and chest hurt however she is young it's still early your Dr's might still be open contact them and ask or 111.

My chest feels like there is something on it.

DS was like this for about 24 hours then bounced back. But trust your instincts and call 111 if you are concerned. Doctors would always rather see a well child than miss one that's more unwell. Hope she feels better soon.

I'd try to push the fluids as well. 5ml syringe of water or squash every half hour.

Thanks all. @goldensilver I'm wondering if I should keep a close eye on her but maybe leave it until tomorrow unless it gets much worse, and hopefully she'll bounce back like your DS did

Our 6 year old can't keep anything down since 7 o clock this morn,not even a sip of water without violently throwing up.
Worried too.
Sorry, just wanted to say you arent alone

My 8 yr old Ds is positive. He’s on day 4 now, apart from barking cough and slight headache still, he seems better now,

First 3 days tho he was quite poorly. Like flu symptoms. Rattly chest, sounding quite croupy. He was sick twice and had ringing in his ears and really bloodshot red eyes.

Hope your dd is ok.

When my daughter was little she had what seemed to be a bad cold, however she kept complaining that her legs were tired and achy, I don’t know why but I took her to the GP, she was admitted to hospital straight away with pneumonia. This has made me completely paranoid, my daughter was very unwell but with barely any symptoms. I would get her checked out to be on the safe side. I hope she’s better soon.

Have you got any nurofen ? Ds tested postive Sunday and Calpol wasn't touching his fever, he had nurofen and is like a different kid. Worth a try ?
I've got Covid atm and my legs are killing me

@Meltyicecream your gut is telling you something isn't right, please call 111 and see what they say. Most children seem fine with covid but a friends toddler son really wasn't and did need to be in hospital for a while. You know your child better than anyone and you say you are concerned 111 are there for this sort of thing

I think you should since she is so young - it is a real problem she is not taking fluids as her kidneys could be at risk. I would call they can monitor her then.

I'd be able to get advice from our surgery if I phoned them. But I wouldn't hesitate to check with your GP or 111.

It's the fluid intake and her wearing that will concern them the most. Then it's her temperature and how her breathing sounds.

@Vintagecreamandcottagepie, if they can't keep water down you should contact someone. They might just give anti sickness if antibiotics aren't needed.

My GC had silent pneumonia and it was the vomiting that we took her in with. She was starting to develop sepsis.

I think its important to monitor if she is weeing - if she is not that is a problem.

Thankyou @Ponoka7

Will have a chat with husband and call 111

COVID in kids is no different to any other febrile illness, so follow the NICE paediatric traffic lights for guidance.

Red - 999 or own transport to A&E (whichever is going to be quicker)

Amber - should be SEEN by a HCP

Green - self care.

Have you got an oximeter? Maybe see if can borrow one and keep an eye on her blood oxygen levels. But I would definitely call 111 too.

@Vintagecreamandcottagepie your poor child, sounds really uncomfortable. Echo PP that it might be worth contacting doctor if he/she can't keep anything down, as they can help with hydration

DD had one wee this morning but nothing since. She's perked up a bit since the Calpol and is now running around but still trying to get fluids in her

Ice lollies or ice pops are good sometimes

Op can you use a calpol syringe to get little bits of fluid in her ? After many visits to a&e when ds was a baby/toddler this is what the doctors used to do with him.
Ds actually had ketones in his urine one time as he had hardly ate or drank all weekend so that's something else to be aware of

Definitely icelollies might get some fluids in her or squash ice cubes in a drinks bottle

If she’s keeping fluids down and not showing any red flag symptoms (like struggling for breath/confusion) I’d treat it like you would the flu or a bad cold and keep her isolated at home. Obviously keep an eye on her but I wouldn’t rush her to a doctor. You’d have to go via the covid dept in A&E to get seen I think?

Do you have a SATS monitor?

How are things today?