To NOT call 111 for these symptoms in DD (6)?

[coffeepleeease]

She has had a cough for 3 days, high temp of up to 39.8 for 2 days, but lower in the day, some vomiting but mostly from congestion/coughing. She's alert, eating albeit small amounts and drinking.

Ex DH wants me to call 111 and is basically going on and on saying I always leave it too late to see a doctor. Last time she was unwell it turned into a chest infection, but I took her to see a doctor as soon as her chest sounded rattly. Time before that I took her once her temp had been high for 5 days (as it says on NHS website) and it was an ear infection. Those are the two most recent examples. So yes, both those times it was something more than just a cold virus, but I don't see the point in taking her BEFORE any signs of an infection.

So AIBU? Or is he?

Why do you tell him that she's ill if there isn't anything to worry about?

If it is bad he can collect her, ring 111 and take her to hospital if they say so

I would be watching and waiting for now too.

I would be calling.

Because she was unwell when he came to visit her on Thursday. Also he messages every day anyway asking how she is

It would be watch and wait in our house too.

Which symptom would you be concerned about?

I agree with you. I judge it on how unwell the child seems.

It's calling, rather than 'taking' her anywhere?
Can't he make the call if he is more concerned than you are?

coffeepleeease · Today 12:02
MrsSkylerWhite · Today 12:01
I would be calling.
Which symptom would you be concerned about“

The temperature. Is it that high even though she’s (presumably) having paracetamol?

That's true, guess he hasn't thought of that. He's not even here to actually see how she is.

He can't call. The first thing 111 ask is for you to be in the room with them and to touch their chest etc

111 won’t talk to him because he’s not there to look at the patient and give them information. They often want to be put on the phone with the patient as well. They’re not going to talk to someone who is concerned about a sick child who is miles away.

Actually the first thing they ask if she's conscious. All of which he should be in the room for.

I’d just call. Which parent is a better doctor matters less than just calling to be sure.

I have health anxiety in general, but this sounds at the very least GP worthy to me. Your young child has been running a very high fever for two days and vomiting. She's also recently had a chest infection and an ear infection, so its sounds like she's prone to getting quite ill.

I would probably take her to see a doctor in A&E, I know that's a very unpopular opinion here because the NHS is overstretched, yadayada, but that's not your child's fault and in my opinion not a good reason for her to risk getting worse.

See she always gets high temps, of up to 40c, even with "just" a cold, and every doctor or nurse I've spoken to has said to focus on how she is, rather than the number on the thermometer. Even when it's 40c. I can't get Calpol in her, never can, I've tried bribery, letting her do it, even pinning her down (which I won't do again because then she vomited it back up). She did manage a bit in squash this morning but not even half a dose. She has sensory issues and for some reason just will not be persuaded to take it. Even though she takes 7 meds daily for various medical needs. I've also spoken to doctors about this and they say not to worry just to keep her cool other ways and let her body fight off the illness

Is your child school age? You'll have received current Strep A guidelines which say that you should call 111 for a child with a fever over 39.

I'd also be fine watching and waiting for this, provided the temp comes down with medicine?

But I'd have no issue if he wanted to come over, see for himself, and he can call 111 then.

Ah yes that is a good point!

Doesn't sound like I'd call. Sounds like a thousand other self-limiting bugs.
Unable to become alert without rest is the red flag symptom I'd watch for.

I suppose I should caveat this, in light of the current Strep A issues, by saying I would double check she doesn't have a lacy pink rash on chest, or rough, sandpapery skin on the chest, or a red tongue or throat. In THAT case, I WOULD call 111

Sorry..... I mean unable to become alert WITH rest. So natural tiredness that matches how busy they have been, is fine, but unable to recover their energy after resting, that's what would worry me.

McBurgerTime

Yes she's at school but we've had no strep A guidance. She has no sores on her throat and I'm checking her for rashes

Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:

your child is getting worse
your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
your child is very tired or irritable

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
there are pauses when your child breathes
your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

I was sent that from both children's schools. I don't think you're unreasonable not to call and I don't think he is unreasonable to think it's worth calling about. But he can come and get her if he thinks it's worth doing rather than assigning you that job.