Anyone awake - anxious about my son

[Anxiousmother23]

He came down with a temperature and very off colour yesterday morning, we kept him off school. His fever was at 38.9 last night, gave calpol and about 30 mins later ibuprofen to help, which brought it down to 37.5 (this is forehead temp)

Now he’s woken up in the early hours with a horrific cough and can’t stop coughing, his fever is back at 38.5 I’ve given him more calpol. But his cough sounds horrific. He was totally fine on Thursday, the whole thing started yesterday morning.

I’m mega anxious when it comes to illness, especially his. As I always think the worst, especially at night like this.
He’s also very rarely unwell with a fever etc.
He can’t seem to get back to sleep with this cough - obviously he needs to sleep to help get himself better.
Is it worth taking him to out of hours in the morning just to get him checked over? In case it’s an infection and he needs antibiotics?

Yes of course! Please take him first thing in the morning so he can get the care he needs and you will get some peace of mind knowing he is being treated. Sending hugs mama! I know how difficult it is when our littles ones get ill, but this too shall pass 💐💐

I'd ring 111

Hi OP. Yes it will ease your mind. Keep him.hydrated. Take care.

Yes just take him in the morning to get checked over that's all 111 will advise at this point (that's all they ever advise tbh)

You're doing the right thing btw

Just keep him hydrated, warm (not too warm obviously due to the fever) cosy and medicated tonight and take him to your GP in the morning

Listen to his chest with your ear next to it - is it very raspy, bubbly, crackly ? Listen out for any changes etc.

Definitely hydration. And a walk in GP first thing. Cuddles too. Big hugs. 😞

Do you think I should take him even though he’s only been ill 24 hours? My partner thinks as it’s been so little time we should wait a few days.

Don't worry to much about what you can hear re chest as you're not a professional but you can at least listen for any differences for now

Just keep an eye on him and see how it goes

If his cough is as bad as you describe it, it shouldn’t matter if it’s only been 24 hours, it really does need medical attention/advice at the very least. What’s the harm in taking him to see a doctor?

Nothing but good will come of it. 💐

It could get better it could get worse we just don't know at this stage

However

Keep an eye on temp increase (or decrease) and especially his breathing

If he gets breathless go to A&E

If anything changes for the worse go to GP or A&E depending on what your instinct is

Trust your instincts. You know your DS best

I personally at this stage would either go to GP tomorrow although you might feel he's best at home for now to

Apologies if I missed it but how old is he? Realistically no gp is going to tell you off for getting a child checked out, even if it’s only been 24 hours.

Our. Nearest walk in/urgent care centre is a 30 minute drive away and obviously there will probably be a wait when we get there too. So not sure what to do. Our actual GP in the local town here won’t be back open until Monday.

He’s 6

He’s been coughing for the past hour and can’t get back to sleep because of it. The calpol doesn’t seem to have helped much.

Call 111 for advice. Don't want to be taking him out with a contagious virus he might just get better from, that could be worse for someone he passes it on to.

Its possible to have a nasty cough without it being lethal for a child.

If 111 recommend taking him, then do so.

Have you got liquid ibuprofen? You can alternate every three hours between that and calpol which should help with temp

Depending where you are 111 can sometimes book out of hour GP appointments. There is a lot going round, but I'd follow your instincts and if you're concerned definitely worth getting him checked out.

Phone 111 now and get advice, they can also arrange an appointment for you at an urgent care centre.

Have you got him propped up on 2 pillows ? Vix on bottom of feet socks on top
Spoonful of vix in a bowl of boiling hot water under his bed
Cough syrup

That’s the thing, I don’t know if it’s my instincts or my health anxiety and especially because he very rarely gets fevers.

Does he have a puffer that might help? (For Asthma)
Does your child have a bowl of water in his room (if the room is heated)?
Has he been vaccinated for Whooping Cough?
Have you given him any Panadol or antihistamines to relieve his cough?

After the above I would have him breathe in steam under a towel and comfort him until morning. Use Vicks Vapour Rub or Steam
I would then take him straight in to see your doctor or A&E.

All of the above assumes he is still breathing fine and that his temperature has dropped back down again.

If he is finding it hard to breathe or if his temperature is high, I would call an Ambulance.

Sending hugs OP, it's so worrying when our little ones are poorly. I would call 111 for advice, they can arrange an out of hours GP appointment to check over your DS if needed

See how it plays out today in the meantime keep him as comfortable as you can.
He might be right as rain if you keep his temperature down, hydrated yet warm and cosy, not hot.

Hope you're doing ok, OP. My 5yo (nearly 6) still gets croup - is it that sort of cough? She had a horrible bout of it before Christmas. Getting her in a steamy bathroom helps.
It's horrible how much a cough distresses them and stops them from resting. If Calpol isn't helping his temperature it would be worth calling 111, but waiting for GP is probably ok at this time of the morning anyway. 111 might help you get an appointment though.

Hugs to you, it's such a helpless feeling.