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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that a Dr, should know the difference

30 replies

LittleMrsHappy · 20/05/2010 14:43

between a viral infection and chicken pox?

Last night (and for the last 4 nights) ds2 has had a temperature, which we assumed was from his teeth (currently has 5 teeth cutting) , but as he cant have calpol or (sugar added medicine) all we can do is cool him down with flannels and strip him down

Last night was the last straw and we took him to the walk in centre, as his temp was 39.1 and he was very upset, and extremely restless, Dr their said it was hand, foot and mouth, and that his chest and ears were clear, and we just had to keep doing what we were doing and allow it to run its course.

Today, Ds was visibly in pain, so phoned the Dr again for emergency appointment, seen Dr and she is shocked that we left him this long as he has a chest infection and a ear infection, which is really bad, but shes is not sure if he has chicken pox, as atm, he has 3 different kinds of rashes, one IS chicken pox rash, other is viral and the other is a heat rash.

but she cant say if he has chicken pox or not, the spots are blistered and weeping but still she is unsure!

Im angry at the 1st Dr, for just her lax professionalism and the second Dr for being so humming and ahem, they wont prescribe anything due to his allergies for the CP, but have gave powder Anti B to put in his water, (which would be good, if he could blooming well drink, but as his mouth is covered in blisters, he cant)!

So now my little man is very uncomfortable, cant take the anti b, and we basically have been left to get on with it ourselves, with no advice or help.

seriously thinking of going to A&E, as he has had nothing to drink in 12 hours and nothing to eat in 4 days.

AIRBU to just want a component Dr, instead of "might" buts and "maybes"

Grrrrr........

OP posts:

belgo · 20/05/2010 14:45

have you tired him with an ice lolly or ice cream? where exactly are the spots?

colditz · 20/05/2010 14:47

A &E

If he can't drink he needs a drip

Curiousmama · 20/05/2010 14:49

Yes agree needs a drip.

Original poster

LittleMrsHappy · 20/05/2010 14:50

neck and torso, he cant have anything except ice water, due to allergies.

OP posts:

Original poster

LittleMrsHappy · 20/05/2010 14:51

he can obviously have his milk also, but he having none of it,

OP posts:

Joolyjoolyjoo · 20/05/2010 14:54

I'd definitely go back if he can't drink- do you have a childrens' hospital near you?

I wouldn't give the doctors too hard a time for not knowing exactly what the rash is- a lot of these things CAN look very similar, and as there is no real specific treatment for either chickenpox or other virus, a definitive diagnosis between the two probably won't really make a huge differenc in terms of how they treat it.

But it may be worth seeing a specialised paediatrician for more treatment options. Hope he feels better soon

kipperthedog · 20/05/2010 14:57

If it is chicken pox, putting some bicarbonate of soda in bathwater really helps sooth the itching.

Hope he gets better soon LMH, take him back if you think he's worse, thinking of you it's horrible having a poorly child

ScreaminEagle · 20/05/2010 15:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Downdog · 20/05/2010 15:03

poor baby - he is getting it from every angle isn't he!

Chicken pox IS a viral infection. I didn't think there was any point in prescribing anything for chicken pox apart from something for keeping temp down and perhaps treating other symptoms? Its viral therefore is left to run its course. Maybe this has changed in recent years?

And also with CP the spots are usually all over not confined to one part of the body.

Is there a paediatric A&E near you in case you need to go in. Worrying he's not taking fluids. Would be be able to suck ice chips? Nothing cheers DD up more than some crushed ice.

Also not great that he has been prescribed anti-b's for chest/ear infection but can't take them. Would he be better off with syrup? I'd be addressing this again with doctor if nothing else.

hope he's on the mend soon

thumbwitch · 20/05/2010 15:09

Agree - he needs fluids so if he can't drink take him to A&E.

A bath in oatmeal water is supposed to help with the itching - I'm not sure how much oatmeal you use, but apparently put it into the foot of tights or something and then into the bath for a while - soothes the rash.

I wouldn't give the docs too hard a time either over the rashes, as Downdog says, CP IS a virus and there are no antibiotics that work against viruses.

Not so good re. ear infection though.

Downdog · 20/05/2010 15:18

you could also make an ice block with his milk (as he has allergy issues)

sharbie · 20/05/2010 15:31

My DD had chickenpox in hospital when she was eight months old.She had it really badly and ended up completely covered.
It started with a large red spot on her neck - I was told by various nurses and doctors and her consultant that they couldn't be sure what it was.
The worse thing IMO is that because of this indecision she had to undergo a(nother) GA and have an op that really should have been postponed (instruments etc being infected??).
She wasn't put in isolation either.
I was also told by them babies under one year don't catch it was they are protected by their mothers immunity.Hmmmmm.

thumbwitch · 20/05/2010 15:37

Does rather depend on whether their mother HAS any immunity to chickenpox, tbh - and certainly isn't cast iron as a preventative!

BalloonSlayer · 20/05/2010 15:44

As your DS2 has allergies, bear in mind that it is possible to have an allergic reaction to Chicken Pox.

My DS1 did, so as well as the CP spots he was covered in hives as well.

The Doctor said that allergies are to proteins, and viruses are proteins, so it was perfectly possible to have an allergic reaction to CP.

Just wonder whether it is this which is clouding the issue and making his skin look worse.

I'd go to A&E too if he is not drinking. CP can - rarely - get very serious.

poor baby. Not fair.

Original poster

LittleMrsHappy · 20/05/2010 15:45

well Ive never had CP, so not sure if that's a factor or not.

I was not wanting anti b for the CP, I know is it a virus, was hoping to get something for the itchiness, as he is scratching so bad that its making his skin bleed, he does have socks on and also a vest, but somehow he is finding a way.

Were of to the hospital now, to A&E, so hopefully they can make him more comfortable x

OP posts:

thumbwitch · 20/05/2010 15:57

Yes it definitely is - you can't make immunity to CP if you've never been exposed to it yourself! In fact, tell the docs you haven't had it as you could catch it off your DS.

Calamine lotion might be an option but do try the oatmeal bath - someone who knows is bound to come along and tell you how much to use soon, and if not, start a thread asking.

Hope it goes well at A&E and he starts to feel better soon.

libelulle · 20/05/2010 22:58

Good luck at hospital! Re catching cp - worth remembering that something like 90% of adults who think they haven't had it are actually immune and just had a subclinical case at some point. That's the case for me - blood tests shows I am immune even though my mum swears blind I have never had cp.

specialmagiclady · 20/05/2010 23:02

Anti biotics won't ease itching. Anti Histamine - which you presumably have as allergies, might.

But if not drinking take to A&E STRAIGHT AWAY!

CarGirl · 20/05/2010 23:04

Hope they give him something that helps quickly, they can give anti-viral drugs but they don't like too, understandably.

Original poster

LittleMrsHappy · 21/05/2010 08:38

We took him and the put him on drip as he was getting dehydrated, so hoping he gets home today.

I know anti - b wont ease the scratching, I never claimed they would, or did I claim that he needed anti-b for the CP. I know this is a virus, but most children would get prescribed calamine lotion, or antihistamines, but they will not do so with ds. He has a Epipen for his allergies, and they wont give him antihistamine in liquid form as it contains lactose and citrus proteins, which he is allergic too.

I wanted something for his itching, in a form that is suitable for him, due to his allergies many GP's wont prescribe him anything, due to if, buts or maybe a possibility he might be allergic, its getting beyond a joke now, as they would rather him be extremely uncomfortable rather than get a 2nd opinion, or transfer to A&E.

He does have CP, its very evidently that he does, this was confirmed by a blood test at the hospital, but as the consultant said, their was no need for it to be confirmed as he evidently does have CP, he was getting routine bloods done anyway, so he added that one into it.

Thankyou for all your advice, and I will let you know if we get home or not x x x

OP posts:

thumbwitch · 21/05/2010 08:50

LMH, glad he's been seen to anyway - and do try the oatmeal in the bath (unless he's allergic to that as well of course)

Original poster

LittleMrsHappy · 21/05/2010 09:03

No oatmeal is gluten and fortunately he is not allergic to that x

OP posts:

KittyLilith · 21/05/2010 09:08

Is he allergic to calamine lotion? It wasn't available on prescription when my DS had CP, so you may have to buy it from the chemist. I hope he gets better soon.

Rollmops · 21/05/2010 09:23

Chikenpox is a virus. Antibiotics don't 'work' with viruses, they are for bacterial infections, to put it simply.
As with any virus, keep DC well hydrated and rested, that's all you can do.

Rollmops · 21/05/2010 09:29

OP, what did you mean by Anti B, pray tell, as in :"...but have gave powder Anti B to put in his water,...", if not antibiotics?

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