Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I can't go back to A n E immediately, can I?

249 replies

InTrussWeTruss · 22/10/2022 20:41

Ds (14 months) has been having a bad cold and high temperature for 5 days. I just took him to A n E because he's just sleeping and csl%ol and nurofen aren't really bringing the temp down significantly and he hasn't eaten anything for days. Anyway we spent ok afternoon there and they checked him over and said it's just viral (probably rsv) and he should be better in a few days. I asked them when to worry and they said no wet nappies, lethargy and cold hands and feet.

We've been at home for an hour and now he's worse than ever. He's having chills. His temperature is 40.3C and his hands and feet are cold. His skin is mottled. I have just given him nurofen again and he's sleeping now. I don't know what to do. Surely if they've just seen him it can't be that serious right? Chest, ears and throat they said are fine. No UTI.

I'm sure if I call 111 they'll send me to a n e. They always do for small kids. Ugggh.

There's too much other shit going on as well but I'm really worried for Ds.

OP posts:
Marmee53 · 22/10/2022 20:56

They need to treat it aggressively.

Get them to start on antibiotics.

Make sure they take bloods for CRP and for cultures so they can check if there is a bacterial infection.

Original poster
InTrussWeTruss · 22/10/2022 20:56

Ok. MN has spoken loud and clear. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
DodgyLeftLeg · 22/10/2022 20:57

Glad you’re going OP. GL.

BattenburgDonkey · 22/10/2022 20:58

Hopefully you’ll be home feeling reassured before you no it OP.

Newsorrynewagain · 22/10/2022 20:58

Straight back now! He temperature has went up, molted skin and cold hands and feet

doittwice · 22/10/2022 20:58

Go back. They always say the same thing after days of fever or they will be better but what if he isn't. I had to remind a doctor one time after days of fever and the final straw was 40.3 on day 6 that both my baby and I don't enjoy waiting at the a&e at 4am and would prefer to be at home but obviously this isn't normal and this is why we are here.

legosunqueen · 22/10/2022 20:58

Never feel that you need to apologise or justify advocating for your child. You're doing the right thing Flowers

Icannoteven · 22/10/2022 20:59

Mottled skin, go back.

Temp for 5 days, not coming down with Calpol and ibuprofen? Should never have let you leave without blood tests.

Original poster
InTrussWeTruss · 22/10/2022 21:00

The mottled appearance has disappeared now. He seems to be sleeping happily.

OP posts:
PinkButtercups · 22/10/2022 21:00

Take him back to A&E he at least needs to have bloods done being that poorly.

We went into CAU yesterday as my DS spiked a fever out of nowhere and they said he had a febrile convulsion. It was so scary.

Just take him back don't ever doubt yourself.

lemmein · 22/10/2022 21:01

The dr sent my DGS to A&E with those symptoms - they were worried about sepsis. He was fine, but honestly, I wouldn't take the risk.

Original poster
InTrussWeTruss · 22/10/2022 21:01

Icannoteven · 22/10/2022 20:59

Mottled skin, go back.

Temp for 5 days, not coming down with Calpol and ibuprofen? Should never have let you leave without blood tests.

No it comes down with Ibuprofen but not below the fever threshold. since yesterday it's been never below 38.5 (though the hospital thermometer showed jist 37.8 or something)

OP posts:
Helloautumn22 · 22/10/2022 21:01

Head back and get a second opinion. It’s not worth the risk. I hope he’s ok.

sageandbasil · 22/10/2022 21:02

Deff go back

Hall84 · 22/10/2022 21:03

A&E! A temp that high is a seizure risk

Original poster
InTrussWeTruss · 22/10/2022 21:04

What do I tell them? His temp will be below 40 by the time we go there. His hands are warm now and his skin isn't mottled anymore.

I once took DD to a n e because of mottled skin when she was ill but it disappeared by the time we got to a n e jd they said it's not a big deal anyway.

I've already asked for antibiotics. They said they are not required. If I hadn't seen the mottled skin when changing his nappy I wouldn't have worried to be honest but now it's gone.

OP posts:
Newuser82 · 22/10/2022 21:05

Could you at least ring 111 and see what they say? I don't think it's worth the risk of delaying anything.

AloysiusBear · 22/10/2022 21:05

Get him to a&e.

You know your child. They will never be funny about you being cautious with a child this age

Hall84 · 22/10/2022 21:06

Tell them what you told us, his temp over 40 and mottled skin with cold extremities. They would rather check 100 babies than deliver the news that you were too late getting to hospital

Original poster
InTrussWeTruss · 22/10/2022 21:06

Hall84 · 22/10/2022 21:03

A&E! A temp that high is a seizure risk

Dr also said that the risk of febrile seizure is not related to how high the temperature is. A febrile seizure usually comes on in the first 24-48h when there is large temp fluctuations. He said it's highly unlikely he'll have one after 5 days.

Oh gosh. I don't know what to do now. I don't mind going but ds1 has an exam tomorrow, dh has to travel and no one has clean clothes.

OP posts:
WeAreAllDead · 22/10/2022 21:06

A temp of over 40 requires A&E.

The Doctor who told you to ignore how high his temp goes is a dangerous fucking twat and you need to complain about him/her.

When DD was 7, her temp hit 40.9 an hour after a GP told me there was nothing wrong with her. I’d taken her in twice that week, with various symptoms but the main one was a fever that would not come down, and I was dismissed because I’d had a baby a few weeks before, so was clearly just a stupid, hormone riddled idiot.

I went straight to A&E, my Dad drove us as I needed to be able to respond to her if she deteriorated further. She had a seizure in the back of the car. We spent a week in PICU, and she had a further 4 weeks off school due to a severe UTI that developed complications.

There is not a chance I wouldn’t go back with a 14MO with that temp.

Original poster
InTrussWeTruss · 22/10/2022 21:07

What do you guys think of the mottling disappearing. Is it still concerning?

OP posts:
WeAreAllDead · 22/10/2022 21:07

InTrussWeTruss · 22/10/2022 21:06

Dr also said that the risk of febrile seizure is not related to how high the temperature is. A febrile seizure usually comes on in the first 24-48h when there is large temp fluctuations. He said it's highly unlikely he'll have one after 5 days.

Oh gosh. I don't know what to do now. I don't mind going but ds1 has an exam tomorrow, dh has to travel and no one has clean clothes.

Show quote history

For goodness sake, I’m sure your husband can figure out how to do laundry whilst your baby gets urgent medical attention.

BattenburgDonkey · 22/10/2022 21:08

InTrussWeTruss · 22/10/2022 21:06

Dr also said that the risk of febrile seizure is not related to how high the temperature is. A febrile seizure usually comes on in the first 24-48h when there is large temp fluctuations. He said it's highly unlikely he'll have one after 5 days.

Oh gosh. I don't know what to do now. I don't mind going but ds1 has an exam tomorrow, dh has to travel and no one has clean clothes.

Show quote history

That stuff in your last paragraph is irrelevant to your decision of wether or not to go to A&E OP, it’s just not important in the grand scheme. But if you are really unsure phone 111, they are really helpful and will basically make the decision for you

PinkButtercups · 22/10/2022 21:08

@InTrussWeTruss the doctor my DS said yesterday that DS's febrile convulsion was likely due to his high fever and they can have them again in the future. He said they could or they couldn't it's just one of them things.

But you can have a seizure at any point especially with a fever that's lasted so long.