Flu?

[SpanielFace]

I just wondered what the signs of flu (as opposed to the common cold) are in a toddler? DS (17 months) has been ill for 6 days now, GP says it's viral, but he's never been this ill with a cold before, or for so long.

He had a persistent high temperature for the first 5 days (38.5-39 centigrade) which responded to paracetamol but then kept coming back within 2-3 hours. He's been completely listless, unhappy even after paracetamol, off all food and milk (he had 2 bananas and a yoghurt to eat in 5 days, and this is a 28 lb boy who really liked to eat!). Today his temperature is better and he's definitely a lot happier, but he has no energy - he's not moved off my lap all morning, and every so often he just leans his head on my chest and stares into space for a few minutes, looking exhausted.

It doesn't really matter whether it's just a bad cold or flu, especially as he is slowly recovering, but I just wondered how you tell in a child so young? And if so, how long is the recovery likely to take?

Steady high temp and off play/food, I would say the flu virus. GP is rarely wrong saying it is viral. Almost every infection starts with virus.

Ifnyounare worried, you can always call your GP for advice.

Sorry, not helpful. Glad your little one is getting slowly better. It is so worrying to see them down.

Thank you. I've been googling (I know you should never google health questions, but still...) and it does seem to fit. Like I said, it doesn't really make much difference as I know the treatment is the same whether it's flu or the common cold - rest, fluids, paracetamol if needed. I just hate to see him so poorly. He didn't get up until 9.30 today, and was back in bed asleep by 11.30 - he hasn't had a morning sleep for months! He's just so wiped out. Still, at least his temperature has been ok today, and he's eating again.

Oh google is not the worried mum's friend. I managed to match DD1's symptoms with some brain cancer ones. She was having some undefined bug that passed the way they do.

I do believe in contacting my GP rather than braving it out when I am worried. But it sounds like your little one is eating again, so maybe has weathered the worse of it.

They do bounce back rather quickly once they have slept and eaten their fill, I must warn you. It feels somehow unfair as it does not match how worried you may have been about them.

Poor you and him , my dd has just had the same kind of thing , not eaten for a week , started eating again today thank goodness . Worst bit was getting her to take cal pol . Hope he's better soon