Sepsis in older children, symptoms

[Peppersandrice]

DD1 age 6 has been very poorly with tonsillitis and been in bed since Wednesday. Really struggling to keep control of her temps. Going up to 40 odd every few hours. When it’s down it’s 38 odd. Still waiting for antibiotics to kick in.
What’s the difference between normal tonsillitis symptoms and sepsis? She is achey, headache, nauseous and had a single bout of diarrhoea tonight. She’s sleeping in bed now. I just thought she would have picked up by now. She’s had tonsillitis a lot before when she was younger but she just seems really bad this time round.
Thanks for any advice.

I had tonsilitis which turned into sepsis after about 4 days.

Symptoms were dehydration, don’t just monitor her fluid intake but also monitor her output too. I didn’t urinate for 24 hours and when I did go it was very dark. I had rigours where my body would convulse but I was conscious. I had cold hands and feet. Couldn’t keep anything down.Temp was high & my legs were swollen. When I was finally admitted my heart rate was 155bpm & my oxygen levels were only 72. My mum had taken me to the dr x 2 & a&e but I was sent away. It was actually a paramedic that took action. Once I was admitted the medics were fantastic. I don’t want to scare you anyway but any signs she is deteriorating take her straight in. Drs in hospital told me off for waiting too long to come to hospital notwithstanding the fact I had actually been sent away by the same hospital. This was 9 years ago and I do believe medics are more alive to symptoms of sepsis. I really hope your daughter starts to feel better soon. Tonsilitis is rotten at the best of time.

That’s a good idea I will put some water into 500ml bottles.
She is in bed now with a 38 temp but neurofen given just going to bed.
She wouldn’t touch the ice lolly earlier but ate a satsuma so will get a little juice from that. And had a good wee tonight. I was worried because she didn’t wee between going to bed last night until about 3pm today but the doc said as long as she starts drinking and peeing she should be fine, but if she won’t take fluid or doesn’t pee again like that she may need to go in for IV fluids.
Her heart was about 130bpm, oxygen level was perfect. Still very pale, but had a little play around dinner time.

Yes definitely keep an eye when ds has it the detoriation was quick we were lucky that the non blanching pinprick rash came out early on so he was treated quicklu

Sepsis -
High heart rate
Pale and clammy or mottled skin
No wees

Given she’s been on the antibiotics for a few days and no improvement, personally I’d take her into a hospital tonight.
Unfortunately you can’t always rely on a gp - for pnd they don’t have equipment to do things like blood pressure checks or blood tests on the spot.

You know - I think you should take her in to hospital now - 1) I the feeling from your posts you are worried about her (and the worry is getting worse) and mothers intuition is always right and 2) she is getting more unwell rather than better?

I can’t see her etc though - so if you think she’s fine leave her to sleep but wake her for water in night and take her hr and breathing rate

Can you take her hr and breathing rate Now?
If it’s higher than 130 you should def go in.
Put your fingers on her wrist and count pulse for 30 secs then double

There isn’t always a rash btw

Sepsis would be indicated by a high temp, fast pulse, fast respiratory rate, also possibly mottling of limbs. My dd had sepsis following flu and ended up in ITU, if you feel something isn't right take her to a&e.

My dd went down hill very quickly, if your dd seems to be struggling with her breathing or starts drooling that indicates her airway might be compromised so ring 999.

Ds had sepsis, his main symptom in the early stages was that he was altered, very confused and I was unable to keep him awake for more than 5 mins at a time. He was very very pale too. He was passing small amounts of urine, but refused to eat or drink anything except ice lollies and his temp was 40.5 and paracetamol and ibuprofen did not bring it down at all. He cried with no tears and said his stomach and head hurt in a and e and that's when I saw the rash on his legs. You can google sepsis 6 paediatric, and see what the warning signs are. I would say it's very unlikely your dd is septic if she's recovering and eating etc. Glad she is on the mend.

Can I ask what a normal breathing rate would be?

Around 18-30 in a 6 year old is normal. Can be higher with a high temp though. Sometimes slightly lower if in a deep sleep.

I am not sure on normal breathing rate,but I echo the previous poster suggesting bringing her back to hospital. That temp is still really high and that’s very little liquid.What time did the doctor see her?How are you monitoring her reap rate?

Resp rate even!

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg160/resources/support-for-education-and-learning-educational-resource-traffic-light-table-189985789

I’d definitely follow mummy’s instinct and take her back!!
Remember though that a child’s hr is higher than an adults. But even so, if she’s been on antibs for 48hrs with no change I’d get her seen.
Let us know how she is

She was seen at 4.30. And of course typical that her temp was almost normal at her appointment. I told the GP that she keeps dipping.
For her heart rate I put the stop clock on my phone and counted the beats on her wrist. But the GP did that at the surgery earlier. I’m going to go do it now again. And take her temp again.

I'd take her back personally or call 111.

WHAT wasn’t her rate and temp OP?Hope she is ok.

Sorry what was is what I meant to say.

Heart rate is 125. Temp is 38.6. I’ve woke her no problem and given water and calpol. That’s her now maxed out on any medicine for a few hours.

HOW Much water did she take,what’s your general feeling about her? sorry OP I am torturing you but for some reason I can’t get your little DD out of my head.x

What was her breathing rate?

Me neither - some op’s you just worry and this one has stuck with me for some reason

She took just a few mouthfuls from a fruit shoot bottle so I reckon about 60ml. She did urinate fine before bed. She’s not delirious as she asked me why was I waking her.

Breathing is about 30 breaths a minute fairly consistently