As a general rule I'm not a worrier about DC's health

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but something's off with DS2 tonight.

We were out at a sports event until about 8:30 (he was watching) and he was fine while we were out. In the car on the way home he complained he was in agony with a headache (v. unusual for him). I have him some calpol and made the toast he asked for for supper. But, when he came to eat the toast he started crying that he felt sick. he didn't so much as nibble it, but wasn't actually sick.

He went straight to bed and was asleep in seconds. He feels quite warm to the touch, but then he's wrapped up in bed.

I can't put my finger on it, but I'm quite worried. Do I let him sleep 'til morning or should I be checking more frequently and/or trying to rouse him?

He's 10 and never usually makes a fuss about anything.

It is probably a normal virus of some kind. However, I would trust your instinct and try and rouse him and see if he is responsive etc. If not, clearly ambulance or A&E. Do the normal meningitis tests of checking for rash and seeing if he can put his chin on his chest.

I would always do this with my children as the alternative is too bad to contemplate.

Hmm, I'm probably on edge because my DSis is just home from nearly a week in hospital because of a "virus" and a colleague's brother is only now gradually regaining the use of his limbs after being completely paralysed for several weeks, also blamed on a virus. Both started like this.

There are no spots, when "roused" he didn't exactly wake up, but did speak a bit and his eyes are clear (not dazed/distant)

I am always a little "hmm" when people say "only a virus". I want to say, do you mean like Ebola, Smallpox or Rabies..(which is why I said "normal" virus in my post). The problem is that most infectious illnesses first tend to present with headache and some degree of nausea, from the relatively mild to the most serious. Luckily, in the UK, 99% of them are mild and passing.

It is always really hard to tell with children at night as they look spaced out and drowsy anyway. On the other hand, if his eyes were clear and he looked like he normally does, I guess you should just see how he is in the morning.

Yes, do try to rouse him in a bit and give him some water, check his headache. Could you take his temperature?

Please note that you can have meningitis WITHOUT the rash, the rash appears in one of the last stages when disease is well advanced. Earlier symptoms are stiff neck (can't bend chin towards chest without pain, severe headache, nausea, please check NHS website).

Has he had chickenpox? Chickenpox can cause severe headaches. If so, he may need urgent antivirals as it could indicate early stages of encephalitis (inflammation of brain).

Hopefully it is nothing serious but I would err on the side of caution and phone OOH or take to A&E if you are concerned.

Has he had plenty to drink?

X-post. Can he move his chin to his chest? Can he look towards bright light?

Hopefully, it is something minor but you want to positively exclude the more dangerous stuff I think.

Please wake him and check him. Check for neck pain when looking down to chin and check for light sensitivity too. Get him checked if at all worried. It may be a migraine from what you have described but as already said a meningitis rash is a late sign and not present in all cases. If you reach the point of seeing a rash things are very serious indeed so better safe than sorry early on.

Yes I'd also keep a check for meningitis symptoms.
Often your instinct is spot on.
Years ago my gp sent me to hospital with ds when I told him I could smell something on him.
He had kidney failure
Hope your ds is ok

How awake does he need to be to have been roused?

He opened his eyes, looked at me and said some words, but didn't actually answer my questions. He doesn't seem to have difficulty moving his neck and is much cooler now (less tangled in bed clothes)

I think he's had plenty to drink, he had a bottle of water with him at the event and most of it is gone (but he could have thrown it at his brother while I was competing!)

If he was my dc, I would like him to answer/respond to my questions:

• how is your headache
• where does it hurt?
• can you look at the light please?
• can you put your chin all the way down to your chest, does it hurt?
• how is your nausea, would you like some water?

You can have meningitis without fever BTW.

If still unsure I would phone OOH for advice.

Panic over - I went in to check on him when I got up at 6:30 and he said "my headache's better" and gave a little cheer. He's gone back to sleep now and I shall MN leave him until he wakes naturally.

Thank you all.