To take 16 month old to A&E or wait for doctors tomorrow

[Pinkhats]

16 month old DS has had diarrhoea for 12 days now. There’s a sickness bug going around nursery so assume he’s picked that up but he’s had no sickness only diarrhoea. I kept thinking it would go on its own but it is getting worse in terms of frequency not better and he’s been up several times in the night crying in pain and holding his tummy (up until now it’s not really bothered him).
Would I be overreacting to take him to A&E today I know it’s not an emergency but I’m getting quite concerned especially now he seems in pain. Or I guess just wait one more day and try to get him into doctors tomorrow.

If you call 111 and ask about A&E, then they will send you to A&E, that's just their process. Ask to talk to the GP out of hours service first, as they may give faster advice without the grimness of A&E waiting rooms.

12 days is a long time, I hope your DS gets better soon.

How on earth can you claim that, just because someone has had symptoms for 12 days, it can't be an emergency? A grumbling appendix may go on for that length of time, for instance, before it perforates. It's grossly irresponsible to post this sort of thing based on one short message.

Thanks I'm not one for going to A&E but this is a baby we are talking about. Small body who cant continue to loose fluids. Who's now holding his tummy.
He needs seen in person.

I remember one of mine getting sent to children's ward by the GP. His blood sugars were so low the nurses checked it twice using different machines.

I really wouldn't mess around with phone calls or waiting.

Maybe the UK needs to put out public awareness messages about what is and what isn't A&E appropriate.

A &E could be dehydrated or anything, 12 days is an awful long time to have had diarrhoea and not seek any medical advice

I'm hoping Op got medical help this morning.
12 days is a long time for an adult to have diarrhea never mind a baby at 16 mths.

How’s your little one now op?