To ask the GP for immunity testing

[Eachpeachpears]

Long story short, when dd was just over one, she caught sepsis and needed antibiotics via injection into the legs for ten days. We were extremely lucky to get her through it.
DD is now 4 and has had:
-Pneumonia 2 times since (the original infection was pneumonia, turned to sepsis)
-Chicken pox twice
-Fungal infection which goes away with steroid cream but returns once the cream stops
-Every cold known to man
-hfm 3 times
-Ear infections
-Sinus infections
-Caught every sickness bug in the air.
And probably more that I can't recall from the top of my head.
At first we thought it was post sepsis syndrome which apparently lasts for 2 years post sepsis, however we are nearly 3 years clear and the infections keep coming.
Am I being over cautious or is this a lot of illness for 4 years old?
We want to ask the gp for immunity testing as it seems her immune system is non existent. Is this a thing? Have the big hit of antibiotics had a lasting effect? Does anyone know if antibiotics of that caliber at that age can ruin the immune system? I have no clinical knowledge but it just feels off.
She's a tall child with absolutely no weight to her whatsoever bless her. She's happy enough, no extreme tiredness or anything.

I don't think it will do any harm to mention to the GP you are concerned about your daughters immunity - I think it is up them to make a decision whether further testing is required.

Has she been tested for coelic disease?

Have you tried a multi-vitamin? Or considered a referral to dietician to have a look at her diet.

There’s not really a special immunity testing panel available in gp.

Recurrent antibiotics definitely strip the system.

It might be worth chatting the the gp, rather than doing a panel of bloods and then maybe her needing more etc, they might want to refer to paed/infectious diseases.

it kind of depends on if it’s a) recurrent bacterial infections with good going signs, OR
b) gets a bit unwell and given past sepsis everyone shits it and gives antibiotics when most are viral illnesses
e.g hfm is viral, so are 95% of colds/ears/vomiting bugs. She probably has little reserve.

is she good with her diet/vitamins/sleep? All things that could be done in the background to help whilst waiting?

https://www.finder.bupa.co.uk/Consultant/view/153066/professor_gareth_morgan would be a good person to see

Thank you.
Yes her diet is good, lots of fruit. Veg is trickier but hidden in the meal she hasn't a clue! She takes a multivit daily and probiotic yogs daily too.
Dh has intense health anxiety so she has taught immense hand hygiene to both kids. She also showers a lot (mostly for fun!) but uses a squirt of soap per body part lol... This child is probably the cleanest 4 year old youve ever seen!
I think it partly is a bit of seeing her medical history and panicking, I know dh and I both get very anxious whenever she's unwell so probably take her to the gp sooner than we would with ds for example. We're more likely to ride it out for longer with him I would say.
DD is currently on antibiotics for a chest infection and has flu (positive on a test) so it feels very all consuming at the moment

She would need a Paeds referral. Not something the GP can investigate in primary care.

I raised concerns about the number of infections DD1 has with her paed and he said unless she was being admitted to hospital frequently then it’s all within the variation of normal.

God my Son was like this, he's 16 now and strong as an ox! I think it may have been true to early life antibiotics messing with gut bacteria x

Sympathy though as it was all consuming x

One of ours nearly died from croup and it’s changed me forever. He got so ill so quickly. I will forever err on the side of caution now.

Shes been through a lot and so have you. I think that it’s appropriate to say to GP that you need reassurance given how many notable illness she’s still having and courses antibiotics she’s still needing and asking what would stop the GP from referring to paediatrician for a thorough check of her immunity etc. I’d get a call or visit booked in with GP about it.

One question is testing but another is what can actually be done if immune disorder is picked up. The treatments for it are not nice procedures (of they are even available on the NHS) - stem cell transplant, weekly immunoglobulin injections, much longer (and possibly prophylactic) antibiotic treatment to deal with acute infections. I wouldn't put a child through it, personally.
By all means, ask for a referral to paeds to make sure there is nothing underlying but, as far as testing immunity, I should think it's not indicated given that most ailments she is catching are relatively minor.
Also, two years post sepsis syndrome is just an estimation. It doesn't mean symptoms suddenly resolve on day 730.

There was an ep of Embarrassing Bodies once with a girl suffering with a very severe case of verrucas that would not go away with treatment. I believe she turned out to have no or abnormal T-cells. In your situation I would definitely push for more investigation - better to be safe than sorry. The NHS is under strain but you know what they say - the squeaky wheel gets the grease!