Wtf is this awful bug? Toddler coughing and vomiting for weeks

[MaryMaryVeryContrary]

Posting for traffic. DS is 15 months. 6 weeks ago he caught a cold/cough. It’s got steadily worse since then, he might have the odd ok day when we think he’s improving then it comes back with a vengeance. His chest sounds awful, he’s gone from being toddler chubby to being able to see his ribs at the back. He’s barely eating and drinking half his usual milk. Last week he started vomiting and this has happened every day since. Usually around dinner time he just throws up everywhere and can’t keep down even the few mouthfuls that he eats. He’s exhausted, I’m exhausted and when the fuck will he get better? He’s been to the GP 3 times who says ‘just a nasty bug, he’ll get better’ but I’m losing my mind.

The vomiting isn’t related to coughing btw it happens out of nowhere. I’m fed up, worried and completely knackered.

Whooping cough? Going around massively at the moment? Was he vaccinated?

He’s had all vaccinations and the Gp says it’s not whooping cough, I’m convinced it might be but they won’t test him

Call NHS direct now. Get a second opinion and act in a panic, make them listen that isn’t right.

Could be covid… we had it plus number of colleagues. Worth testing perhaps

They won’t do anything as he doesn’t have a temperature and is still technically eating and drinking

This sounds worrying op. Have you seen the same doctor each time or different ones? It might be worth asking for a second opinion. Even if it is 'just a nasty bug' the weight loss and possible dehydration caused by vomiting must be a concern.

Unexplained vomiting and weightloss needs to be treated seriously, hopefully to exclude types of blastoma etc. I would ask for a 2nd opinion or call 111

We’ve all had D&V. So hopefully it’s not unexplained but I will take him back for a 2nd opinion tomorrow

I should also mention he’s having diarrhoea

What does the cough sound like? With whooping cough it is very distinctive. It's a rapid coughing fit where you are coughing so rapidly and for so long you have to gasp for breath in between. You often vomit while coughing.

This doesn't sound like that though. We had a nasty cold recently which seemed to have a gastro side to it too. It sounds really nasty for your DS. Perhaps ring 111 for advice?

How long has he been vomiting for? If two or three days then I'd assume it is a nasty virus, and that has put his defences down and the sickness bug has made him worse. If he has been vomiting for longer than this then he needs to be seen and I'd call 111 and get him to see out of hours

He’s been vomiting for 5 days. I don’t even know what out of hours would do differently - every time they just check his obs, make sure he’s not too dehydrated and send him away. What do I even ask or push for? I have no idea

Has he been around any pets? Have you tried giving a dose of vermox? Might be worth considering.

Do you have a children's A&E near to you? I'd take him there and get him checked by the staff there.

His big sister had suspected threadworms and we all took the medication last week but he couldn’t as too little..
could it be worms?

No, just an adults one with a wait time of 8 hours. We’ve taken him already, he ended up exhausted and unhappy from being awake all night, they checked him over and sent him home. This was 4 days ago

Worms can cause those symptoms.

Is he having alot of dairy?
That can irritate tummies when not well.
Don't suppose you have a decent Health Visitor to talk to.

I'd very much doubt it. Don't mess about dosing him with random stuff. You need proper medical advice - I'd be pushing for chest xrays and bloods.

No he’s CMPA

Mention the threadworm thing to the next doctor you speak to and get their advice on it. Don’t give him anything without checking with the doctor first. Good luck with it! I hope he feels better soon.

Ask them to swab for mycoplasma. It can cause the symptoms you describe as it can sit near the stomach causing vomiting as well as being a chest infection. My 1 year old just had it. I had it a few years ago and developed walking pneumonia. They weren’t even going to swab her as they were insistent it was viral, but I pushed for it. Good job as it can turn very nasty and she needed 10 days of antibiotics. I know a few people who have had it recently so worth ruling out. Hope he feels better soon.

Thank you. 111 are absolutely useless round here and we won’t even be phoned back let alone seen. Would it be OTT to take him to A&E with a view to just waiting until somebody sees him and mentioning everything on this thread?

It's not OTT if he has had rapid weight loss and not kept his main meal down for nearly a week.