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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about 4yr old

11 replies

OneFootInTheGrave91 · 25/10/2022 02:37

Hi everyone,

reception aged DS started feeling unwell about 13 days ago, generally snotty and cough/cold symptoms and fever, he had a couple of days off school and seemed to improve however the cough has lingered.

He has been very congested and full of thick nasal mucus, helping him blow his nose constantly etc coughing seems to bring this into his mouth too .. fast forward to Friday just gone, and after being asleep during the night for a couple of hours, he woke up projectile vomiting, and had cycles of vomiting all night. By the Saturday morning he seemed very tired however managed to keep him hydrated and settled all day. He even ate a few bits here and there. Before bed though he vomited a huge amount, and by the Sunday morning he looked dreadful so I took him to urgent care.

the doctor basically said it’s a virus and to watch for rash etc and to come back if he gets worse. Sunday evening he seemed fine, had a little play and was his usual self, although we could tell he was still unwell. Monday he’s been quite tired again and complained of feeling unwell, says his throat is sore (it was red when the doc looked no swelling) and the cough and nasal congestion has persisted.

calpol regularly given and plenty of fluids...

TMI - before bed he needed the toilet and had a very watery bowel movement- really smelly and unpleasant... then after being asleep for a couple of hours he’s woke again and projectile vomited all over himself and his bed again. He seems to be settled now he’s clean and had some water..

I know starting school there is all sorts of virus/ bugs going around but as it’s been two weeks since he initially started with cold symptoms I’m feeling very worried about him.

he’s very tall and big for his age and his appetite is usually incredible.. eats anything in sight! Of course if he’s feeling unwell he won’t want to eat but the fact he’s no interest in food now is concerning me...

Should I call the GP in the morning as he seems settled now or should we wait it out a bit longer? Sorry for the length of this I’m tired and worried! 😔

anyone else’s little ones like this at the moment too?!

thank you 😊

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 25/10/2022 02:45

My DH has had similar symptoms, he’s day 9 since a positive lateral flow test. All the same cold like symptoms, sore throat, lethargy, nausea and loose stools with persistent stomach cramps. Perhaps he’s picked up covid

BabyofMine · 25/10/2022 02:46

This is exactly what us just happened to my (just turned) five year old, also in Reception. She’s coming into the fourth week and is almost better but still has the cough. I don’t remember having coughs/colds like this when I was a child!
I personally think the vomiting with my one was due to all the mucusy snot all building up and not being able to clear it out.

MrsMinted · 25/10/2022 02:48

There have been some vicious colds, throat infections and vomiting bugs circulating our local schools.

Wouldnt bother with the GP again personally unless he is showing signs of severe dehydration and not keeping fluids down and/or has new symptoms like a rash as GP mentioned.

If he's been vomiting and has loose bowels, then he should stay off school a full 48 hours after the last vomiting occurrence.

Let him just stick to fluids for now, he will be weak but it will allow him to settle s bit. No fruit juice. Then put him on the BRAT diet until he can tolerate food again without any nausea and until his stool returns to normal.

Hope he recovers well and hope you don't catch the viruses too!

Original poster
OneFootInTheGrave91 · 25/10/2022 02:51

BabyofMine · 25/10/2022 02:46

This is exactly what us just happened to my (just turned) five year old, also in Reception. She’s coming into the fourth week and is almost better but still has the cough. I don’t remember having coughs/colds like this when I was a child!
I personally think the vomiting with my one was due to all the mucusy snot all building up and not being able to clear it out.

it’s horrid isn’t it!!

I thought that myself about the mucus causing an upset stomach! And there is so much of it too, really thick each time I blow his nose so if he’s swallowing lots too no wonder he’s so sick..

thank you I’m glad your little one is getting better!

OP posts:
Original poster
OneFootInTheGrave91 · 25/10/2022 02:52

That is something to consider, cheers!

OP posts:
UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 25/10/2022 02:54

As PP suggested, I’d do a COVID test to rule it out.

Then I’d continue to treat it as a tummy bug, combined with the underlying cold that kids that age seem to have 50% of the time from September through May. If he’s still vomiting & having loose stools on Day 5 of the tummy bug then I’d call the GP - mine would likely want to take a stool sample and check for dehydration.

Keep up the fluids, keep an eye out for the red flags the A&E doctor listed, and wait it out. I’m afraid this likely won’t be the last time you deal with this. Hang in there!

Original poster
OneFootInTheGrave91 · 25/10/2022 02:54

Thanks for the reply, he’s off school for the holidays now anyway - poor thing had a lot of lovely things planned as a treat for being brave starting school! Sod’s law.
thank you for your advice ☺️

OP posts:
Original poster
OneFootInTheGrave91 · 25/10/2022 02:58

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 25/10/2022 02:54

As PP suggested, I’d do a COVID test to rule it out.

Then I’d continue to treat it as a tummy bug, combined with the underlying cold that kids that age seem to have 50% of the time from September through May. If he’s still vomiting & having loose stools on Day 5 of the tummy bug then I’d call the GP - mine would likely want to take a stool sample and check for dehydration.

Keep up the fluids, keep an eye out for the red flags the A&E doctor listed, and wait it out. I’m afraid this likely won’t be the last time you deal with this. Hang in there!

yes I will do a test tomorrow- tried with one on Sunday but he gagged and I didn’t want to make him sick, only managed to get lots of snot on the swab from the nose ... it came back negative, however there’s no way it could have been accurate with how briefly he let me near him with the damn thing!

thank you 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
OneFootInTheGrave91 · 27/10/2022 05:01

Woken again about half an hour ago, he’s been sick in his bed again... past couple of days he’s still been off colour but we thought he was starting to perk up a bit.

vomit looks mucusy again and very smelly.. back asleep now gosh I don’t know when it will end for him, It’s been nearly seven days since he first started with the nighttime vomiting 😩

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 27/10/2022 07:13

Can you prop the head end of his bed up a bit? That can help with breathing if he’s full of mucus and might stop him being sick. Or given him more pillows. Also, the calpol plug in vaporisers are amazing for snotty coughs and colds at night.

Original poster
OneFootInTheGrave91 · 27/10/2022 08:34

emmathedilemma · 27/10/2022 07:13

Can you prop the head end of his bed up a bit? That can help with breathing if he’s full of mucus and might stop him being sick. Or given him more pillows. Also, the calpol plug in vaporisers are amazing for snotty coughs and colds at night.

yes he’s been sleeping propped up and that has helped him a bit!

thank you for the recommendation I will go and buy the calpol plug In and hopefully it helps tonight 😀

OP posts:
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