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Children's health

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lethargic toddler

9 replies

Willsmum79 · 08/03/2013 19:23

I have a 14 month old. On February 12th he got what seemed to be a cough and a cold. Since then, the cough has stayed as has the runny nose.

On Sunday 3rd March, he woke up very lethargic. Apart from a couple of hours in the afternoon, all he wanted to do was sleep and snuggle. Even his play wasn't that active. He was then sick at 7pm. He had had a temperature of 38.9 all day. At 10pm, he woke screaming, He was on fire, skin red and spots appeared. I thought chicken pox. He had a restless night.

The next day, the spots had gone down but still there and a measles type rash appeared all over his torso and face. Still lethargic and as of the previous day, refusing food. Doctor diagnosed a viral infection over the phone!?!?

Terrible night and the next day his rash was worse. It also spread to his limbs. No change in energy or eating habits. Temp still up but did get to 39.9. Nappies not as wet. Mum took him to GP who admitted it looked like german measles but said since he had had the MMR onlt two weeks prior to cough and cold, it wan't that. We also had episodes of purple, cold hands and feet.

Since then, the rash has slowly disappeared apart from his lower torso and groin. He is very lethargic, miserable, irritable and although seems hungry, too tired to eat. Fluid intake is good and nappies wet.

My concern is that GP said the virus presented itself as a cough and a cold on February 12th and his energy levels are appalling. Today he woke at 6pm but was tired for an hour. His active times have been 7am til 10:15am and 1:30 til 3:15pm. At lunchtime he had a screamthon and he just zonked come 4pm and despite tea and lunch being okay, he has slept since 5pm.

Surely a virus should have left by now?

OP posts:
sittinginthesun · 08/03/2013 19:26

I think viruses can hang around for ages. Is the doctor sure its not a reaction to MMR? My friend's son had that, very similar rash to that you have described.

BeaWheesht · 08/03/2013 19:32

I think the rash sounds like an MMR reaction. However, it could also have been measles / German measles as the vaccine doesn't work for everyone and also he may hav caught it prior to the vaccine taking effect.

I'd be pretty worried about one of mine being so lethargic for almost a month tbh and think I'd be asking for blood tests and / or a paed referral.

Willsmum79 · 08/03/2013 19:51

Sorry. Wasn't clear. His lethargicness has only been since Sunday (apart from the few days around the 12th February). Before that he seemed okay apart from the cough and cold, although his sleep has been dirupted since then. He is normally a 7pm til 7am baby but wakes 2-3 times a night. Wednesday night was horrendous. He was awke from midnight til 6:15pm with only 20-40 minute bouts of quietness.

OP posts:
Willsmum79 · 08/03/2013 19:52

Question: How long would you leave a lethargic toddler before consulting a GP? His temp keeps going up quite randomly although it doesn't stay up as long as what it did three days ago.

OP posts:
narmada · 08/03/2013 20:56

Is the temp going down on its own or only after calpol?

The not eating wouldn't worry me but the lethargy would more. I would say follow your instincts- if you think he needs to be seen again, take him without hesitation.

If at any point you struggle to rouse him then straight to a and e.

narmada · 08/03/2013 21:02

Actually, just take him to be seen again. GP won't mind and it's what we pay taxes for after all.

dikkertjedap · 08/03/2013 21:03

It is very well possible that he either picked up measles or rubella before the vaccination became effective. It takes several weeks after vaccination to build up immunity - it is not instant.

So in all likelihood he actually contracted one of these diseases, which can be nasty and it is not surprising that he would still be dealing with the after effects. I am surprised your GP didn't test him as, as far as I am aware, they are notifiable diseases.

I would take him back to GP for a check up to rule out any complications as both these illnesses weaken the immune system which can result in secondary infections/complications.

Willsmum79 · 09/03/2013 20:18

He has been very lethargic, especially after waking for about an hour. Clingy. Cries hysterically if not cuddled into me. This morning his cough sounded chesty and cloggy and snot was caked all over him.
Despite that, the rash has completely disappeared and he seemed brighter this afternoon which enabled him to go back into his nap routines. Hopefully on the mend.
I am convinced that he had rubella/ measles. He has shown all symptoms for it, especially the incubation period before the rash, i.e. cough and runny nose.

OP posts:
HappyHugs · 09/03/2013 20:56

This sounds exactly like my son a few weeks back. GP ended up referring him to A+E where a senior consultant immediately diagnosed scarlet fever (highly infectious and theres been a recent outbreak). Its the illest any of my children has ever been but he's 100% recovered now. It did take a v strong10 day course of antibiotics. Tske him back until someone listens...

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