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 guess all you can do is try and time fluids and food for post-pain relief to maximize getting them in. Lollies? Tyrocets (or something) throat lozenges are good but don't know how young they can have them. Or a throat numbing spray? But do go to a&e if you need to.

While bad tonsillitus can give stomach pain similar to appendix pain ( my daughter was in hospital with it ) it could also be glandular fevet which can affect Spleen and give stomach ache. My daughter had glandular fever a few years ago and had very similar symptons to your daughtetr The doctor didnt diagnose it at the time and it was only months later when they did blood tests for chronic fatigue symptoms that they found the evidence of the previous glandular fever. I would say if you are concerned then a trip to a and e might be best and given her symptons and age they really wont mind checking her over . They have always said to me they would rather see a child especially with red flags of sepsis and find its nothing serious than have parents wait because they worry they are wasting the hospitals time. You know your child better than anyone so if you feel worried then take her to s and e x

I still think a and e
You know the gp isn’t seeing what you are
The gp cant do any tests and have limited resources compared to hospital
Why take the risk

I agree with pp’s, if things aren’t improving, and they clearly aren’t, bypass the gp now and go to A&E.

HOW Is she no worries OP,any more temps this afternoon?

Hope you are ok OP.

Ok, thought we were turning a corner this avo. She asked for a slice of toast at lunch even though slight temp. Kept it down and calpol given. We then went all afternoon with a normal temperature and she was feeling better. But then didn’t want anything for dinner and still drinking very little. Managed an innocent smoothie carton over the course of afternoon. Doesn’t want ice lollies, or jelly, or fruit, or water etc. She says they hurt her tummy.
So from about 5 she just sat and played her kindle until 8pm when she wrapped herself in a blanket and asked for bed. Now we are back in the same boat as last night. High temp, panting etc. The GP didn’t seem concerned over her heart rate etc. Again just said viral etc. I honestly don’t know what to do.

In all honesty at this stage I would take her down to your local children's A&E.

I would agree with a&e at this stage to.

The antibiotics are clearly not working. Or she's reacting to them. Or it's not what they think it is.

At the very least she could perhaps be given some.fluids for a couple of hours.

Poor thing, I would take her to hospital, you must be worried about her

I would too - and make sure you tell them how worried you are.

I would take her to a&e too if only for peace of mind. You say she has suffered tonsillitis many times but never this bad and for this long without making a quick improvement.

I understand your reticence about going; it's late, you've seen several doctors, it involves taking her out of bed for possibly many hours to sit in a&e etc but you won't get any good rest tonight worrying about her and checking her. You should just trust your gut and take her to hospital, nobody will tell you you're wasting time and she might get the treatment she needs that's been overlooked so far

I would take your daughter to the hospital - you will get reassurance at the very least ( which you need in any case so you can rest tonight & be able to can look after her)
please don't worry about bypassing the GP or whether you should be there or not.

Ive had a child develop sepsis in similam circumstances. One sign was not weeing much and it was dark. Infection, fast breathing and heart rate and high temp are all signs that doctors get wrong.

The antibiotics should have made a big difference by now, if they were going to work. They clearly are not working. She needs a full work up to find out why her throat is so swollen

Also, and this is a really important one, she HAS to drink more fluid if she is maxing out on calpol and nurofen. Her kidneys need liquid to process the medicine. If they cant process it, itwill damage her kidneys even if you are only giving the recommended dose. Its called NSAID induced accute renal failure and is very serious

OP that is far far too little to drink.She will need some help with fluids.Please bring her,better to be cautious I think.Please let us know how she is.

Morning op,I hope you are both ok and had a restful night.

I hope you went to hospital Op and your dd is improving

How's your daughter today OP?

I had sepsis 5 months pregnant
I slept 18-20 hours a day
Sick
Temp 104
Couldn’t eat
Couldn’t walk

My waters broke after hospital telling me it was pregnancy sickness !!
Trust your gut instinct

Poor little girl, I definitely think A&E, sounds like she needs different antibiotics too

definitely feeling better today. She has had half a pancake with some smoothie for brekkie. I had to work today but mother in law has her. Phoned to say she was drinking away and playing. Her temp is still sitting at 38 but haven’t given any medicine to see if it can start coming down itself. She’s still really pale but hopefully that will get better within a couple days.
Once that calpol worked last night she got a good restful night.
I noticed that the white spots that were on her right tonsil went and they started on her left tonsil, so maybe it’s been a double whammy and the antibiotics were wrong, or it could be glandular. If she has any drops or bad spells again I will bypass the GP and just go up to the hospital, but I’m really hoping that she is on the mend.
Everyone on this thread has been so so helpful and caring. Thank you so so much for the support.

That’s great,so glad she is on the mend

Phew - glad she’s getting better!

How is she tonight OP?