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Original poster

Glandular fever getting worse Dd 4yo

55 replies

Runwayqueen · 29/12/2014 23:44

Two weeks ago dd started complaining of a sore throat and tummy ache. I couldn't see anything that made me concerned so increased her fluids and carried on. Monday last week after more upset from her I checked and her throat and it was clearly not ok, red small spots on the pallet and puss like areas too. Following advice from the pharmacist I took her to the gps. Gp certain it was glandular fever but didn't want to perform blood test on dd as she 'doesn't like to do them on little ones', But to bring her back in if she worsened and she would. I didn't pursue for one as felt I should trust gps diagnosis. Whilst there gp showed/felt with me the glands in her neck, they were like little peas. Dd seemed ok, but the last 3-4 days she seems to have worsened. She goes from fever to chill quickly, is paler than normal and the pea like glands are now golf ball size, she is complaining of tummy ache more so than she has, she seems to bruising easier too( tripped in hallway yesterday racing for a nerf dart and instantly bruised). Would I be over reacting to ask for the blood test to be run? Am I right in thinking it would still be over the counter pain relief even if gf is confirmed?

I'm also wondering if it could be related to a recent run of accidents at school. Since the middle of November dd has had 6 head bump accident slips home and a visit to hospital for stitches because she has not seen something or fallen. School felt it was worth getting her eyes checked so I have an appointment booked for eyes next week. It could be nothing, but could it be related to whatever (I say that, as it's only an opinion) is making her ill now?

Not often I get a panicky gut feeling about something not being right with dd, and I don't want to over react given the time of year. Apologies for the length of my post.

OP posts:
a2011x · 04/01/2015 09:50

I currently have glandular fever confirmed by blood test and I don't relate too much to what you have described, maybe half of the symptoms but I am aware that it varies from person to person and especially adult to child. I would definitely have bloods done but be aware it is very common for a false negative . I had ear and throat infection at same time and had two false negatives because blood cells accounted for infection and gf was masked. It's worth a blood test for everything , hope it gets better soon.

Original poster
Runwayqueen · 04/01/2015 20:55

Thanks for the advice. I don't think it's gf, and neither do the hospital although they can see why Dr j thought it was. Dd isn't a regular Dr visitor thankfully but going forward if there is any doubt I won't hesitate to ask.

Dd not so good today, although her neck looks much smaller so I'm encouraged by that, hopefully school on Tuesday will bring her back into herself

OP posts:
TheHoneyBadger · 05/01/2015 08:20

infections and antibiotics etc are hard work on the system, takes a while. will you be able to pick her up if you get the call from school?

Original poster
Runwayqueen · 05/01/2015 10:59

I've spoken to the school this morning. They have suggested first two days are half days to see how she does and then back to normal Thursday with a phone call home if she isn't coping. As it's their suggestion I'm happy to try

OP posts:
TheHoneyBadger · 05/01/2015 12:19

sounds a good plan and a nice school. normally more worried about their registers than the kids Grin

Original poster
Runwayqueen · 05/01/2015 21:39

The school are very good to be fair to them, quite realistic in most of their approaches. She is excited to go back. Should have the bloods back tomorrow. Don't think they will show anything other than what we already know, but will be nice to have the confirmation.

OP posts:
TheHoneyBadger · 06/01/2015 09:17

yes, it's good to know all boxes have been ticked or crossed. a nasty infection like that is scary! they can go downhill so fast and be so wiped out.

fingers crossed she's just got to recover and it's all behind you x

Original poster
Runwayqueen · 15/01/2015 17:53

Evening all, just bumping this as DD is ill again.

GF was confirmed, and she seemed to be getting better but out of the blue she is as ill as she was when she was admitted to hospital. She appears to have another infection on top of the GF. Just wondering for those who have had DC with GF or those who have experienced it themselves, how long was your immune system lower for? I realise everyone is unique but Im intrigued to know.

Thanks all

OP posts:
Sleepytea · 15/01/2015 17:58

Dd had glandular fever a few years ago. She was very lethargic and run down for at least 6 months. The night chills cleared up after a few weeks. Hope your dd is better soon.

TheHoneyBadger · 16/01/2015 08:30

it really varies - some people it barely bothers, some it wipes out for a year, average seems to be around 6 months. i felt like my life really changed and health with it but that was because it was ignored by my mother who forced me to go to school etc when i was wiped out and didn't get any medical help with the secondary problems i was having. i ended up with some lasting issues and repeated bouts of exhaustion and weird catching everything under the sun and repeated infections that went on into my 20's.

i don't think anyone can tell you a time sounds like your poor dd's immune system is being hit hard and somehow she's also being exposed to some nasty stuff. i would hesitantly suggest that after she recovers from this one she might be best off out of school for a while to minimise her exposure to infections and virus' for a while and give her system a break.

Original poster
Runwayqueen · 16/01/2015 19:26

Thank you both for replying.

I think your right, her immune system is down and needs to recover. I'm so gutted for dd, 3rd full day back at school and she is so ill again. Dp and I are going to speak to school and try and put something into place to help her recover without being detrimental to her learning, whatever that may be. She is my pfb so I do worry but I think I'm right too on this

OP posts:
SnowLondon · 17/01/2015 22:46

I had gladuar fever when I was younger.
I was knocked out by it, and in bed for 4 weeks...
I was off school for 3 months, but it took me atleast 6 months to feel loads better

Original poster
Runwayqueen · 18/01/2015 21:15

Snow thank you also for replying.

Dd started off so well but has put herself to bed at 5 having passed on lunch and dinner. I just don't know what to do to help her.

OP posts:
FourthMary · 18/01/2015 22:49

My friends dd had gf last year, it was a really difficult time for the whole family. She had a number of months off school, school sent work home and they slowly built her up to going back full time. All in all it was probably about 6 months, a year on she is fully back to normal, with no outstanding issues.

It's a horrible illness, sending your dd get well wishes and please be kind to yourself too, I know my friend found it very difficult and exhausting.

TheHoneyBadger · 19/01/2015 08:39

time and rest and no pressure is all you can do to help i think. go with it and let her go with her body and what she needs to do. keep her home and let her rest and go with her own pace.

Whatthegeoff · 19/01/2015 08:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheHoneyBadger · 19/01/2015 10:36

obviously good nutrition, hydration etc too. really though rest, going with her energy and fatigue, not exposing her to germs and infection sources is about it and reacting when secondary symptoms come up as you have done.

and soothing stuff you know - nice baths, favourite movies, cuddles, nice blankets - just lots of love and kindness and acceptance of where she's at.

not that i'm projecting at all Wink

DeWee · 19/01/2015 14:40

Hoe she recovers quickly.

I would say Glandular fever knocked me out for at least 18 months, and I'm not convinced it doesn't actually still effect me nearly 20 years later. If I am ill at all since them my glands come up-not as badly, but they still do, which they didn't before. And I've needed much more sleep since then too; I can doze happily any time, which I never did before.
I did do everything wrong though as I tried to continue through it (Finals).

I remember saying to dh about 15 months after I'd had it that I didn't think I'd ever feel well again. Well I did, but that shows how long it took.

Original poster
Runwayqueen · 20/01/2015 21:17

Thank you all again for your replys, I'm really taking on board all the suggestions. School have been great in saying follow her lead, if she can't come in, or needs half days then so be it. She asked to go back today so I let her and she has had a good day but needed a 6pm bedtime which I expected she would. Just going to go on a day to day basis and see what happens. I'm going to make sure dp and I are well so that she isn't at risk from us. She is so up and down but hopefully we will get there in her time Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Runwayqueen · 15/03/2015 22:55

Me again...

So it's now nearly 3 months since the initial gf diagnosis was made, and I feel like dd is still not well. It's been virus after virus after virus, constant low grade fevers. The cervical lymph glands are constantly up and down, which I realise in children can be quite normal, but she is going from pea size to bigger very regularly. Also she is still complaining of tummy ache and pain in her leg (she won't go to ballet lessons now despite loving it because her leg hurts).

I don't know if I'm over worrying, quite likely I am, but is it worth taking her back to the Gp? The hospital were meant to repeat her bloods to check the White blood count was normal but this hasn't happened.

Do I just accept this is part and parcel of having had gf and carry on? Gut feeling tells me to take her in but I'm not sure why.

I feel so sad for her, which is silly really I guess, but I think we've only had 1 week since the start of the year where she has seemed well.

OP posts:
Notrevealingmyidentity · 15/03/2015 23:08

I have no medical knowledge but yes I'd want the bloods repeated.

Original poster
Runwayqueen · 16/03/2015 09:33

She is booked in for tomorrow morning. I'll certainly be asking why the repeat bloods haven't been done yet even if they dismiss everything else

OP posts:
Mummytogoldie · 19/03/2015 02:19

Hi I am currently in hospital with my dd who is 5 she had just had blood tests confirm glandular fever. She had been on antibiotics for 4 days as they thought it was tonsillitis but temp was still at 41 4 days in. They have stopped the antibiotics as they said they don't work on glandular fever. Is this right? What can I expect from this illness?

Mummytogoldie · 21/03/2015 01:02

Hi runway did your dd have repeat bloods? How is she doing? Dd is on day 9 of temps going up to 41 and tonsils so swollen they almost touch
Her lymphs in her neck are huge. We haven't been given antibiotics as the consultant at the hospital said they won't help and it's up to dd to fight it off herself. She has also developed a heart murmer because of it and has hepatitis in her liver and a swollen spleen. I have never seen her so ill and feel so useless there's nothing to give to help :(

FoodieToo · 21/03/2015 17:29

Mummytogoldie I am sorry to hear your daughter is so ill. My good friend's daughter had this two years ago. She was 7 at the time.
She was in hospital , very ill , for two weeks. Swollen spleen etc.

It took her a good few months to get better,she missed months of school. And perhaps a year to really be back to herself.

Good news is she made a full recovery so stick with it,it will get better.

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