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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not take my toddler to out of hours tonight for this?

30 replies

callthedr103 · 21/01/2024 15:46

My son is 2 (nearly 3) and was complaining about "sore eyes" for a few days. I took him to see the GP (no problems with vision) who seemed a little concerned due to the oddness of the symptom.

They thought it may possibly be a red flag for meningitis as light aversion / eye pain is a symptom. As he seemed otherwise okay they sent me home with strict instructions to watch out for any other symptoms I.e. the telltale rash, not eating/drinking, lethargic, fever etc etc and if he became unwell to take him to be seen.

I have a checkup with them early next week.

The thing is, he has since that GP appointment seemed fine in himself (aside from occasionally telling me his eyes and tummy hurt). He is eating a little less but not drastically so and is still drinking and having wet nappies. Seems happy enough playing and so on.

He's just randomly spiked a temperature this afternoon of 38.3. He has been absolutely fine all day other than not really fancying much to eat. Not upset, not sleepy, not clingy etc.. the only reason I checked his temp was because he felt hot when I changed his nappy.

Basically my AIBU was would you rush to an out of hours tonight due to this (because of the GPs concerns re meningitis and telling me to get him seen if any other symptoms) or would you just wait until GPs app early next week and mention it then?

Obviously I intend to keep an eye on him and if he does actually appear to be unwell I will take him of course but he seems perfectly happy.

OP posts:
Original poster
callthedr103 · 21/01/2024 15:48

For clarity on the eye issue, he kept telling me "eyes hurt" and holding his hands over his eyes. He would also ask me to turn the lights off occasionally but didn't say this was because of his eyes. But then he is only 2 so obviously not 100% speaking yet!

OP posts:
YogiYogiBear · 21/01/2024 15:48

Small children can compensate very well and look fine, then go downhill very fast. Not saying this is what will happen to him but I'm always cautious with small children for this reason.

Changedasouting · 21/01/2024 15:49

I would take him tbh I always think it’s better to air on the side of caution

Needmorelego · 21/01/2024 15:52

Why Out of Hours tonight - why not now?
Out of Hours basically means when GPs are closed. They are closed because it's Sunday. Go now if you are worried.

Posypointshoes · 21/01/2024 15:54

I'd go, purely because of the speed of meningitis, they can go downhill very fast. The way I'd look at it would be yes it may be an uncomfortable/stressful afternoon and may well be nothing but the other side of the spectrum would be it IS something to worry about and speed is of the essence - I would know I would always regret not going if it was the latter.

Shf · 21/01/2024 15:54

I’d go. Hopefully - probably - he’s getting a cold and has tired or dry eyes, but a temperature plus what could be one of the flags for meningitis would be enough for me. Because Sod’s Law if you don’t go now he’ll get a worse temperature at 1 in the morning or something.

AllFunAndGamesUntilYoureRunningForTheLastTrain · 21/01/2024 15:57

Needmorelego · 21/01/2024 15:52

Why Out of Hours tonight - why not now?
Out of Hours basically means when GPs are closed. They are closed because it's Sunday. Go now if you are worried.

I was wondering too?

Just go now op, don’t wait until night.

regenerate · 21/01/2024 15:58

They thought it may possibly be a red flag for meningitis as light aversion / eye pain is a symptom.

i very much doubt they thought this. As they would have had you blue lighted you to a & e if that was the case

regenerate · 21/01/2024 15:59

callthedr103 · 21/01/2024 15:48

For clarity on the eye issue, he kept telling me "eyes hurt" and holding his hands over his eyes. He would also ask me to turn the lights off occasionally but didn't say this was because of his eyes. But then he is only 2 so obviously not 100% speaking yet!

on the basis of this alone i’d be heading to a&e

throw in the temperature… and i’d be there by now

treath · 21/01/2024 15:59

Basically my AIBU was would you rush to an out of hours tonight due to this (because of the GPs concerns re meningitis and telling me to get him seen if any other symptoms) or would you just wait until GPs app early next week and mention it then?

I would take him now. Not tonight, now.

fairymary87 · 21/01/2024 16:00

He gave you instructions, follow them

maureeeen · 21/01/2024 16:00

I mean hopefully it's nothing but I think if the sore eyes was enough for you to take him to the gp in the first place and they have told you to get him checked straight away if any further symptoms ( a high temp also being a symptom of meningitis ) then I'd definitely go.
Children go downhill very quickly and they'd rather see a child and it be nothing than leave it and it turn out to be serious.

Daffodilsandtuplips · 21/01/2024 16:01

I would take him, his eyes still hurt, he had a temperature, he’s off his food and has tummy ache. You were advised to take him back if other symptoms and now they have so yes he should be seen.

maureeeen · 21/01/2024 16:01

Also I wouldn't be leaving it until tonight, I'd be there now.

Cerealkiller4U · 21/01/2024 16:03

I had meningitis. I went from having a headache to vomiting blood and unconscious within an hour.

yes the light hurt my eyes but not just turn off light

like scrunch eyes shut and scream kinda pain.

I also had a very small patch of the rash (which is apparently the last to come out) I was deathly unwell at this point though…..

Always makes me laugh when 111 call handlers ask you that. Because when I had that I was pretty much in a coma at that point. Not chatting on the phone

Original poster
callthedr103 · 21/01/2024 16:12

Sorry I'm on toddler time so by tonight I mean now.

Yes you're all probably right. It just seems strange to take him when he seems so okay? Like he's playing happily right now running around!

To the pp who said they doubt the GP said that, I didn't realise you were there? I can assure you they did mention meningitis and the eye issues being a possible symptom which is why I was told to keep an eye out for other symptoms.

OP posts:
regenerate · 21/01/2024 16:13

You either trust the medical professional
or you don’t

and if the latter… why book an app in the first place

DuploTrain · 21/01/2024 16:15

Yes take him. The GP said to look out for a fever, and now he has a fever.

regenerate · 21/01/2024 16:15

what is “strange”

choosing to start a mumsnet thread asking whether you are AIBU to not take your son to seek medical opinion given temperature spike and the explicit instruction of a GP

MorningSunshineSparkles · 21/01/2024 16:28

Sorry OP but I’d take him after what the doctor has said - children can rapidly decline if they have meningitis, it’s best just to get him checked. If he does go downhill he’ll be in the best place, if it’s not meningitis they can hopefully help figure out what’s up with his eyes. Though if you don’t get an answer from the hospital then the optician would be my next port of call.

Hope he’s ok, pack plenty of snacks and drinks if you do go Flowers

PlateIets · 21/01/2024 16:33

I'm pretty relaxed about children's illnesses (either my children get ill significantly less than average or I'm far less inclined to give Calpol or go to a GP about things than most) but even I would go to OOH in this situation.

Reallybadidea · 21/01/2024 16:35

Sorry if I've missed this, but when did you see the GP about his sore eyes?

Crikeyisthatthetime · 21/01/2024 16:39

If a GP mentioned possibility of meningitis, then there was a temperature spike, I'd be there already. Much, much better to be overcautious than failing to act because of - well what exactly? What's the worst that will happen if it isn't meningitis? What's the worst that could happen if it is, and you delay?

Rycbar · 21/01/2024 17:24

If it is meningitis it will have potentially killed your child or seriously disabled him by the time you come to the next appointment. It really isn’t something to wait and see. The doctor told you to go if he has anymore symptoms, he’s had another symptom.

Saz12 · 21/01/2024 17:30

I completely understand why taking a child who is ostensibly happy and healthy to OOH seems crazy. BUT... take him.