Wait it out or bother the Dr with this?

[alwaysworryingmamma]

DS (4) started getting poorly on Saturday, his sister has just had a coughing bug and this seemed similar. He was still running round playing etc but just coughing like a trooper and struggling to sleep with it. He's had a temp on and off but hasn't been too high.

However since yesterday he's barely touched any food, not like him at all but understandable if the cough is hurting his throat. He's now woken up this morning as pale as a sheet, doesn't want to get up and play, is currently just lying in the sofa sleeping. He's saying his neck is really sore (he means his throat) and now his ear is sore too. He doesn't communicate very well so it's sometimes hard to grasp what's going on. It's just the sudden paleness and lethargy that's worrying me.

Shall I just wait it out a few days as it's probably the same virus his sister had (although she didn't have these symptoms) or should I call the dr?

I'd try and get him to the GP I think. He's quite young still. I wouldn't be confident it's the same bug or that he'll react the same way to it

I’d go to docs

If his sister didn't have these symptoms, I'd probably see the doc. Kids can go downhill really fast and especially since you say he doesn't communicate very well, I'd want this turn to be properly evaluated for the peace of mind.

Me personally, I'd give him some ibuprofen (which is the best painkiller for an ear ache) and give it a bit more time. Not every ear ache is an ear infection, sometimes it's just sinus pain and pressure. I'm not a massive fan of just being handed antibiotics for any sign of illness, so I tend to only want to take them if really needed, so for me, I'd hang in there and give it til tomorrow and wait and see how the medicine helped. If still complaining of ear pain and seeming overall unwell, I'd ring GP tomorrow. There is a nasty virus going around which has floored mine and all their friends too. None needed the GP, but it knocked them out for a few days.

My five year old has had something similar to this for just over two weeks now and I’ve made an appointment for the drs tomorrow. I thought he might have shaken it off by now, but it’s persistent. So probably best to take him.

If you’re worried and you are to post on here then call the doctor

My husband and DD aged 3 have had something very similar to this bug, DD had a doctor's appointment for something else this morning and I asked them to listen to her chest as she almost seemed like she might have croup last night, several hours of coughing/noisy inhaling/crying. Her chest was clear but the GP said to phone 111 if she became unwell again at night as it could well be croup caused by whatever virus this is.

Your son sounds a bit more poorly than my DD, she hasn't had a proper fever since Friday, so I wouldn't hesitate to get him checked if you're worried. It's a horrible bug whatever it is!

As a mum who's child had meningitis her main symptoms were:

-Lethargic as in couldnt even sit up without falling/lying back down
-Seemed to be in pain but we didnt know where, she was 18 months so couldnt communicate well
-Whimpering and crying all the time
-Uncontrollable temp

This isnt to scare you at all just to know any signs, we were 5 days and 2 GP visits before treatment (told it was viral) and by that point it was critical.

If you are worried about any illness at all please go to the GP and if it continues then A&E.