7 month old boy ill for weeks, viral or something else?

[oBoltFire]

Hi all, first time posting so sorry if this is in the wrong place or if I sound a bit all over the place, I am absolutely shattered. My 7 month old boy has basically been ill on and off since just before Christmas and I cant shake the feeling that this is more than just a normal winter bug, but then I keep being told babies get loads of viruses so maybe I am overthinking it. It started as what seemed like flu, high temp (around 39), streaming nose, awful cough, totally miserable. The fever went after a few days but then he never really got better, just different symptoms instead. Some days hes got loads of energy and seems almost back to normal, then the next day hes clingy, hot again, coughing and crying. Hes had diarrhoea for a week, then constipation the week after. One cheek keeps going bright red for no obvious reason. His head is sweaty at night even when the room isnt warm. Hes waking every hour some nights unless I hold him upright. Off his milk some days but then ravenous other days. His breathing sounds raspy when hes upset but the GP said chest was clear. Nose constantly blocked but not always much snot coming out. Ive taken him to the GP twice, seen two different ones, both said viral and to ride it out, but its been weeks now and I just feel like surely something should have properly resolved by now? HV said some babies just get back to back viruses especially if theres older siblings (we do have a 4 year old at school) but I cant help worrying Im missing something serious by just waiting. I dont want to be that mum but also I know him and he just isnt himself most of the time lately. Sorry this is long, typing one handed while hes finally asleep on me.

Just to add as Ive probably forgotten stuff, he also seems really uncomfortable lying flat, arches his back loads, and has had a low grade temp on and off even on the so called better days. No rash apart from the red cheek thing. Wet nappies ok. Weight gain has slowed a bit but GP wasnt worried. Am I being unreasonable thinking about pushing for blood tests or a referral, or is this genuinely just how winter goes with babies and I need to stop panicking and wait it out? Has anyone else had a baby ill like this for weeks and it did turn out to be nothing?

sorry to hear he’s so poorly, that sounds tough.

How is he fed? There’s a recall on SMA formula which has made some babies ill. I’ve seen posts in mum groups with similar symptoms.
Obviously if he’s breastfeed it’s a moot point but just throwing it out there in case it could be the formula making him ill.

If he’s not on SMA, I’d definitely push to get
him seen seen and further tests.

Hes mostly formula fed, on Aptamil not SMA, but thats good to know actually as I hadnt heard about that at all. I do breastfeed a bit as well but not loads. I did wonder about formula at one point because of his tummy being all over the place but GP didnt seem to think it was that. I might mention it again though just in case. Its so hard knowing when to push and when youre just being anxious. If this carries on I think I will try and get him seen again and ask about tests because it just doesnt feel right to me.

Some viruses do drag on and the pattern you've described is normal with a viral infection, it can be very up and down. Is he teething as well? Hot cheeks, diarrhoea, discomfort can all be signs of teething, mine used to get crusty ears when they cut a tooth!

Sorry to hear your little one is poorly. Uncomfortable lying on his back and back arching sounds like reflux. You could try Carobel thickener in his bottles or GP could prescribe Omeprazole. You could try Biogaia probiotic drops also. If he doesn’t get better, go to the children’s hospital A&E on one of his bad days and they will do a proper check up k. GPs sometimes haven’t had much paediatric training.

He is teething I think, lots of dribbling and chomping on everything but no tooth through yet. I keep going back and forth on whether that explains all of it or if Im just telling myself that because its reassuring. Didnt realise teething could cause quite so much upset though. Re reflux, he was quite sicky as a newborn but it seemed to settle by about 4 months so I assumed we were past that, but the back arching and hating being flat does fit doesnt it. Hes worse after feeds and at night. Ive not tried Carobel, GP mentioned Gaviscon months ago but we never ended up using it. Might be worth another go at the GP and specifically asking about reflux again rather than just accepting viral. I really dont want to rock up to A&E unless I have to but equally I dont want to sit here another few weeks worrying myself sick if hes still like this. Will see how today goes but Im definitely not feeling as reassured as Id like to be.

my baby started nursery at 8.5months old last October. He got a vomiting bug that was 48hours of non stop puking then another 12 or 14 days of vomiting and diarrhoea throughout the day at random times. I was so worried it felt never ending , we went to hospital twice and GP. It was just a really really nasty virus. They can linger unfortunately and are so grim. He will be stronger when he gets through it x

Has he just started nursery by any chance?

My daughter had a few weeks of lingering 'virus' and in the end the doc said let's try a week of amoxicillin just in case. It worked. Could be a coincidence but I rather think she must have had a lingering infection somewhere.

If you are really feeling something isn't right, do take him to children's A&E. Don't let people on here make you feel ashamed of doing that - you know your child, you have been GP a couple of times already. The chances are he has just had a run of nasty bugs but better safe than sorry.

He doesnt go to nursery yet, Im on mat leave still, but his sister is in reception so shes basically a walking petri dish at the moment and brings home everything. Reading about other babies being ill for weeks is reassuring in one way but also horrible because its just so relentless isnt it. I keep thinking were turning a corner and then something else crops up. Interesting about the amoxicillin, part of me wonders if theres something brewing that just isnt obvious, like ears or sinuses or something, but then both GPs checked his ears and said they looked fine. I hate the feeling of not knowing whether Im being sensible or just spiralling. If hes still like this in a few days I think I will go back and be more direct about how long its been going on, or take him in on a really bad day if that happens. I just want to feel like hes been properly looked over rather than another quick listen to his chest and sent on our way.

OP there’s been a recall on Apatamil similar to the SMA issue. Might be worth checking out the recall notice and switching formula asap. Hope your little one is better though.

Hi @oBoltFire if I may ask how is your little one doing? My baby is going though something too though we suspect teething mostly