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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go to the GP for my son who I think has mumps

36 replies

stopbeeping · 16/02/2023 17:03

I can't get through to them

My son is well in himself he has a sore throat and he is tired but he's eating drinking etc all the same as he was
He has a runny nose

His cheeks went rosey this afternoon and now they are really swollen
He still isn't fussing but I'm worried. My children were never sick until basically October last year and now it's every god damn week one of them is sick

I am so tired

I am in Margate where it would be quicker to drive to Heathrow and catch a plane to fucking Durban in South Africa to have treatment. GP will say go to hospital but I don't understand at what point the illness becomes one you want extra help with and when it's fine at home.

I'm worried about meningitis if I am going to be the most honest with my (irrational, over the top) self

Send love or advice but please don't say I'm wasting time, I'm trying to work out if I would know clearly when to get help

Am so tired and have three kids so I'm hoping to get advice from others with experience if this is ok to stay at home for

Thank you

OP posts:
SouthCountryGirl · 16/02/2023 17:06

Phone 111? They might be able to get you an out of hours appointment?

Pixiedust1234 · 16/02/2023 17:07

No. If you suspect your child has a highly infectious disease then you don't take them anywhere!!

If you can't get through to your GP, then call 101 (or whatever the NHS number is).

Seeline · 16/02/2023 17:08

Why do you think mumps?
It's not cheeks that swell, more the glands under/behind ears.

Does he have a temp?
How old is he?

TheShellBeach · 16/02/2023 17:09

Yes, it's fine to stay at home. There is no specific treatment for the mumps virus.
Rest, plenty of fluids, simple painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are recommended.

Some boys get swollen testicles and in a few cases, this results in lowered fertility. Has your child been vaccinated?

NewShoes · 16/02/2023 17:09

I’m a bit confused - what makes you think he has mumps or meningitis?

HettySunshine · 16/02/2023 17:10

How old is your son? Has he had his MMR?

If so, it's very unlikely he has mumps.

TheShellBeach · 16/02/2023 17:10

Mind you, he may not have mumps. What makes you think he has? It could be all kinds of non-specific viral infections. The treatment is the same, though.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 16/02/2023 17:11

NHS advice is

When to seek medical advice

If you suspect mumps, it's important to call your GP.
While the infection isn't usually serious, mumps has similar symptoms to other, more serious infections, such as glandular fever and tonsillitis. It's always best to visit your GP so they can confirm (or rule out) a diagnosis of mumps.
It's also important to let your GP know in advance if you're coming to the surgery so they can take any necessary precautions to avoid the spread of infection.

It's certainly not an A&E situation in the absence of complications, but following NHS advice sounds the best course of action.

It also says

Preventing the spread of infection

If you or your child has mumps, it's important to prevent the infection spreading, particularly to people who do not have immunity from a previous infection and have not been vaccinated.

The best way to do this is to:
stay away from school, college or work until 5 days after you first developed symptoms
wash your hands regularly, using soap and water
always use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, and throw the tissue in a bin immediately afterwards

Which doesn't mean not to contact the GP, it means not going on shopping trips or sending him back to school immediately.

Nimbostratus100 · 16/02/2023 17:11

take a picture and show a pharmacist?

TheShellBeach · 16/02/2023 17:12

Honestly, OP, there's nothing a GP can do for simple viral infections. You'd be wasting their time.

Sirzy · 16/02/2023 17:16

Jumping from mumps to meningitis sounds a big leap from what sounds like basic viral symptoms. Is there a reason you’re jumping to worrying conclusions?

phone 111 if your worried

Choconuttolata · 16/02/2023 17:25

Phone 111 for advice if you can't get through to the GP. It could be another virus or strep A and not mumps with red cheeks and a sore throat. Treatment for mumps is supportive generally based around relieving symptoms. If your child is relatively well in themselves and still eating and drinking with a sore throat then try to not worry about meningitis currently, just make sure you are aware of the symptoms to look out for.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/mumps/treatment/

www.nhs.uk/conditions/meningitis/

Seeline · 16/02/2023 17:27

I didn't have a sore throat with mumps.
My glands hurt like hell if I ate/drank anything acidic though.

ArcticSkewer · 16/02/2023 17:52

Have you googled which part of the body swells with mumps?
It's not the cheeks.

If he looks like the photos you find online of people with mumps then phone 111 for advice but don't take him anywhere at all as he will be highly contagious. If 111 suggest the GP then you can phone them in advance so he isn't a risk to others. Why do you think GP would say to go to the hospital? Does he seem very ill?

When my son had mumps it was unmistakable. I screamed 'oh my god' as it looked so horrific and deformed.

DDivaStar · 16/02/2023 18:10

Sounds like slapped cheek which can have a rash develop too.

Why do you think a doctor would send him to hospital ?

Darkstar4855 · 16/02/2023 18:24

Sounds more like slapped cheek (parvovirus) than mumps.

Twizbe · 16/02/2023 18:36

Has he been vaccinated (if not get him done as soon as he's well)

Call 111 for advice. Mumps can spread in boys and might need some treatment if he gets very unwell.

My DH had it in our early 20s (too old to have had MMR as standard and too young for lots of community transmission. Loads of my friends had it in uni) he was very poorly with it and it did lead to complications. Keep an eye on him

LillyLeaf · 16/02/2023 18:39

That's how scarlet fever started with my DS.

HouseHistoryHunter · 16/02/2023 18:40

Mumps gives hamster cheeks with swellings low down overlapping the jaw- it's pretty classic if you Google. Dd ( 20) had it despite full MMR vaccination.
It's a noticeable infection so you should contact your GP if you suspect it, not usually an A and E problem, unless they become unwell with complications like meningitis.

HouseHistoryHunter · 16/02/2023 18:41

Notifiable infection ( thanks spellcheck)

Oblomov23 · 16/02/2023 19:11

3 people I know have had mumps in the last month.

MargaretThursday · 16/02/2023 19:30

Darkstar4855 · 16/02/2023 18:24

Sounds more like slapped cheek (parvovirus) than mumps.

Exactly what I was thinking.

Emelene · 16/02/2023 19:34

If you’re worried, I’d speak to 111 first. Hope your son feels better soon x

Ilikeviognier · 16/02/2023 19:39

Just to flag on mumps - my son had it the year before last. He was quite poorly and ended up in hospital although was fine. And he had had all of his jabs. They said the vaccine is not 100 percent effective.

Newnamenewme23 · 16/02/2023 19:50

Why do you think a go will send him to hospital?

while mumps is a notifiable disease it’s usually self limiting, although in a small percentage of cases it can be serious.

if you think he’s well enough to stay at home phone the GP and inform them. Public health will send a swab out for you to return so they can confirm.

but that’s all you need to do unless he becomes very unwell.