5yo with flu-like symptoms and severe pain in legs - what to do

[anothercuppaplease]

DS has had a temp since Sunday evening and last night started to have bad cough and runny nose. He is feeling pretty rotten.

He woke up at 2 am last night and his knees were very very painful he could barely walk and was crying in pain. More paracetamol and this morning he was still struggling to walk.

Went to GP, she checked his lungs, ears, heartbeat etc and said it's flu, but although I was pretty clear about checking his legs she said 'you will have to wait until he is better and come back so that we can examin him properly'.

Has it ever happened to you or your child? I mean, a cold/flu with severe pains in the legs? I can't see any bruising or anything. And it's hurting behind the knees and behind the top of his legs. He can straighten up his legs properly and walks with knees bent. What should I do?

My dd has flu just now and is complaining of same, I checked her over and no inclination or fluid obvious to me so I too decided to see how she goes and if still painful when better Ill take her to gp but I think its just symptoms of flu too.

Yes my friends little boy had this (he was four or 5) he had fluid on his knees! He went to bed normally got up next morning and collapsed in pain - off to hospital etc in ambulance.

I would take him back to gp if you're not happy.

Darn auto correct no inflammation

Have you tried ibuprofen? I find a fever can make my joints feel swollen which would explain a lot of it.
Hope he feels better soon.

If knees are hot and swollen I'd go back otherwise I would just watch and wait.

OK thanks, I also have a feeling it's just flu aches and pains. I will give him Ibuprofen but he is not eating much and I think it's more irritating for the stomach than calpol?

Kiddy ibuprofen is supposed to be okay on empty tummy (I think, read bottle).

I presumed you discussed the achy legs with GP.

ibuprofen is anti-inflammatory, too.

Flu always gives me really sore legs