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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can a doctor/nurse/someone please please help me!?

55 replies

PizzaPlease7 · 02/01/2023 07:35

DD7 was diagnosed with strep A at the hospital on Boxing Day and prescribed antibiotics. A few days later DD5 became unwell (fever, sunken eyes, weakness etc). My first thought was strep A and the Dr prescribed amoxicillin to be on the safe side. She didn’t have a rash (older DD did) but had other symptoms. I did mention to the doctor she also has an awful chesty cough and is sneezing a lot which aren’t symptoms of strep but nevertheless we were prescribed with antibiotics.

On day 4 of antibiotics now and I’m concerned about the trajectory of her recovery. She doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Still very weak/fever on and off etc. The cough is awful and I’m worried she has flu/bronchitis in which case antibiotics will do nothing and I’ve read the if it is flu can actually make symptoms worse and cause serious complications :(

Drs are shut today and I’m considering calling 111, just don’t fancy sitting in a&e for 6 hours when DD is so poorly unless it’s absolutely necessary.

I’m happy to continue with the antibiotics but can anyone advise if this could be dangerous if it’s not strep? That’s my only concern. Any advice from someone with knowledge would be much appreciated!

OP posts:
GinoVino · 02/01/2023 08:40

Whatever you decide to do OP (or anyone else reading for advice), please ignore @savvy7 'advice'. DO NOT call 999 unless it's an emergency situation. They aren't there to field non emergency calls to find you an out of hours GP appointment ffs. And before you say 'I have direct experience of this'. So do I. And so do other people who may be posting. Anyone with direct experience in healthcare wouldn't be encourage such abuse of, an already at breaking point, service.

Notsurewhattoreplyandsay · 02/01/2023 08:41

GinoVino · 02/01/2023 08:40

Whatever you decide to do OP (or anyone else reading for advice), please ignore @savvy7 'advice'. DO NOT call 999 unless it's an emergency situation. They aren't there to field non emergency calls to find you an out of hours GP appointment ffs. And before you say 'I have direct experience of this'. So do I. And so do other people who may be posting. Anyone with direct experience in healthcare wouldn't be encourage such abuse of, an already at breaking point, service.

This

olympicsrock · 02/01/2023 08:46

Day 4 is fairly early in what is probably a viral illness. you need to hang tight.
She will come to no harm from finishing her prescribed course of antibiotics. She SHOULD finish it.
She is understandably tired as probably not sleeping well with a cough.

Give her regular fluids , small amounts of plain food regularly - jelly and icecream slips down well, regular calpol and ibuprofen.

A few days of cartoons under a duvet is needed.

Speak to your pharmacist to discuss doses if you are unsure. Consider a multivitamin if she is run down.

olympicsrock · 02/01/2023 08:47

Obviously if she is having difficulty breathing then this is a different kettle of fish but OP did not mention this.

Original poster
PizzaPlease7 · 02/01/2023 08:50

Thank you everyone. Can’t remember all the Q’s but no she is not getting worse, just doesn’t seem to be getting better. I don’t feel there’s any need to call 999. She’s responsive, able to walk (very weak but I suspect that’s due to lack of nutrition as she hasn’t eaten in days), urinating, drinking lots of water and no trouble breathing.

We do have an urgent treatment centre nearby thank you to those who suggested. DH seems to think this is normal and recovery can take longer in some children. I do have anxiety so not sure if this is clouding my judgement, I just expected her to be back on her feet by now.

My Drs are fantastic, I think I will message them tomorrow morning and if they request a check up will take her in. My main worry is that the antibiotics will be worsening her symptoms, however she isn’t actually getting worse herself so I don’t think that’s the case. Her cough is horrendous and really bothering her but I guess that’s what coughs do!

OP posts:
Original poster
PizzaPlease7 · 02/01/2023 08:52

olympicsrock · 02/01/2023 08:46

Day 4 is fairly early in what is probably a viral illness. you need to hang tight.
She will come to no harm from finishing her prescribed course of antibiotics. She SHOULD finish it.
She is understandably tired as probably not sleeping well with a cough.

Give her regular fluids , small amounts of plain food regularly - jelly and icecream slips down well, regular calpol and ibuprofen.

A few days of cartoons under a duvet is needed.

Speak to your pharmacist to discuss doses if you are unsure. Consider a multivitamin if she is run down.

Thank you, DH said the same. I just have terrible anxiety when it comes to the kids. Especially after eldest was so unwell with strep. Hence why I came to mumsnet first before calling 111 and waiting for hours for them to answer!

OP posts:
Original poster
PizzaPlease7 · 02/01/2023 08:53

KangarooKenny · 02/01/2023 08:03

And my DS was recently given amoxicillin with a diagnosis of bronchitis, so I hope that reassures you.

That’s reassuring, thank you. I do suspect bronchitis or a chest infection (she has had one a few months back and cough was just as nasty!)

OP posts:
Namenic · 02/01/2023 09:02

Call 111. I think if you are concerned about your child’s recovery that is a valid reason to get her reviewed. It could be a viral illness OR it could be that the bacterial infection is resistant to amoxicillin and requires other antibiotics. I personally would like to at least talk to a clinician today to discuss - if necessary take her to a&e (though be prepared for a v long wait).

Creatingusernamesismygame · 02/01/2023 09:22

PizzaPlease7 · 02/01/2023 07:35

DD7 was diagnosed with strep A at the hospital on Boxing Day and prescribed antibiotics. A few days later DD5 became unwell (fever, sunken eyes, weakness etc). My first thought was strep A and the Dr prescribed amoxicillin to be on the safe side. She didn’t have a rash (older DD did) but had other symptoms. I did mention to the doctor she also has an awful chesty cough and is sneezing a lot which aren’t symptoms of strep but nevertheless we were prescribed with antibiotics.

On day 4 of antibiotics now and I’m concerned about the trajectory of her recovery. She doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Still very weak/fever on and off etc. The cough is awful and I’m worried she has flu/bronchitis in which case antibiotics will do nothing and I’ve read the if it is flu can actually make symptoms worse and cause serious complications :(

Drs are shut today and I’m considering calling 111, just don’t fancy sitting in a&e for 6 hours when DD is so poorly unless it’s absolutely necessary.

I’m happy to continue with the antibiotics but can anyone advise if this could be dangerous if it’s not strep? That’s my only concern. Any advice from someone with knowledge would be much appreciated!

My middle dc got antibiotics

for a very obvious infection. Few days later my toddler came down with same. Was prescribed antibiotics just in case. My toddle did not improve and got worse by days 4-5. turns out she had the flu which is viral and antibiotics don’t help. I had given her the full course of antibiotics though. She’s absolutely fine now thank god.
I don’t think you need to worry about giving her antibiotics, lots of times my kids have been prescribed them “just in case”

Creatingusernamesismygame · 02/01/2023 09:23

Also forgot mention. My toddler had fevers for 6 days on and off with the flu. None of my kids have been that ill with a virus. Usually see an improvement by day 3.

jamoncrumpets · 02/01/2023 09:24

You need to try and get some sugar (and salt, if poss) into her OP. Can you give her watered down juice, or - shock horror - a sugary soft drink?

Glitteratitar · 02/01/2023 09:36

It sounds viral, which is why the antibiotics won’t be helping. It definitely doesn’t justify a call to 999 (what nonsense!) and I wouldn’t bother with A&E either as she just needs to fight it. If you do have a good doctor as you say, maybe try and get her seen tomorrow for reassurance. But for now, calpol and ibuprofen to ensure she is comfortable.

EarlGreywithLemon · 02/01/2023 09:42

Antibiotics would not worsen her symptoms- they are often used prophylactically. Do have her seen if concerned, but she should finish her course unless advised otherwise by a doctor.

Phos · 02/01/2023 09:48

I agree call 111 but look and see if there are any urgent care or walk in centres too.

I say this as my friend had to take her 3 year old to A&E to get him antibiotics for scarlet fever AND tonsillitis after 111 decided THREE TIMES that their case was "routine" and closed it with no callback.

jamoncrumpets · 02/01/2023 09:50

Phos · 02/01/2023 09:48

I agree call 111 but look and see if there are any urgent care or walk in centres too.

I say this as my friend had to take her 3 year old to A&E to get him antibiotics for scarlet fever AND tonsillitis after 111 decided THREE TIMES that their case was "routine" and closed it with no callback.

OP has antibiotics. If it's SF they will be working on it. More likely the horrific virus going round. My DD was sick for over a week with it.

Idreamofnothing · 02/01/2023 09:51

Keep a close eye on her and keep her home. Flu can take a good couple of weeks or more to recover from. If she becomes listless or struggles to breathe call for help

Anything sugary and high energy is the way to go for now.

Idreamofnothing · 02/01/2023 09:52

Also to counter other posters, just because it's possibly a virus or flu doesn't mean medical attention isn't necessary. Steroids or nebulisers may be required if she deteriorates.

mummyh2016 · 02/01/2023 09:59

I definitely wouldn't call 999 however I do agree with @savvy7 in some respect. Those of you saying 111 will easily arrange an OOH appointment obviously haven't used them recently! We called 111 just under 2 months ago for an OOH appointment for my Nan who wasn't herself. 111 couldn't offer one, they said they would need to send an ambulance (despite there not being any red flags indicating an ambulance was required). Waited 6 hours for an ambulance (understandably). Paramedics agreed she needed to be seen but hospital was not the place so they spent 3 hours with her waiting for 111 to arrange an OOH appointment and then a GP did a home visit 2 hours later - by this time it was 1am in the morning. What a massive waste of resources. I honestly wouldn't bother with 111 at the moment. They've been amazing in the past and up until 2 months ago I raved about them but I just can't see the point now.

ittakes2 · 02/01/2023 10:01

I think you should call 111 too but try not to worry too much as its likely she has a nasty virus. if you have one of those oxi meters for the finger use it to check her oxygen levels. You should be able to get one from a chemist or amazon sells them. Its a good piece of kit to have in the house as really what you want to know with her chest symptoms is she getting enough oxygen.

Coffeeandcrocs · 02/01/2023 10:03

Take her to a UTC/walk in centre. My husband is a clinical practitioner in one and sees patients like this. They will either refer to hospital if required or treat there.

Toddlerteaplease · 02/01/2023 10:07

My children's hospital os full of influenza A. It's taking ages for kids to get over it and they are really not well.

Toddlerteaplease · 02/01/2023 10:09

savvy7 · 02/01/2023 07:40

Please just call an ambulance. Even if they don't come they may send a doctor who can then determine whether an ambulance is required.

Doesn't need an ambulance abs they certainly won't send a doctor!

Soontobe60 · 02/01/2023 10:09

savvy7 · 02/01/2023 07:40

Please just call an ambulance. Even if they don't come they may send a doctor who can then determine whether an ambulance is required.

For someone with a bad cold who’s already on treatment? Don’t be ridiculous!

TopherM · 02/01/2023 10:11

savvy7 · 02/01/2023 07:40

Please just call an ambulance. Even if they don't come they may send a doctor who can then determine whether an ambulance is required.

What planet are you on?

AndNowForSomethingCompletelyDifferent · 02/01/2023 10:12

Why the fuck does she need an ambulance? For goodness sake.

She sounds virally, as a pp said, there is loads of flu A going round and the children are quite poorly with it and it takes a while to get over. She’s already on the antibiotics so please don’t stop taking them. Drinking is the main thing more than eating.