Has my toddler got flu?

[Kitkatcuppa]

Hi everyone. My son woke up on Saturday early hours, legs burning up and whinging. I took him downstairs for a drink and Calpol. The next day he played and was ok. Snotty nose etc. That night the temp came back. Monday he was lethargic and not really playing. I got him a drs appointment. The nurse checked him over. Chest, ears, throat clear. Glands up. Abit of a temp. Got home. He fell asleep at 6.30pm until 8am when I woke him up for the school run. This was yesterday. We went in the car for the school run. He was silent. Started drifting in the car. He normally has cereal or toast but I have him a cereal bar as he has no appetite. He nibbled it. Then went to sleep at 10am. He had no desire to play which is so strange for him. So I phoned the drs again and got him another appointment. He slept for 4.5 hours until I had to wake him him for his appointment. Dr checked him again and said his ears pink and throat is red. But no sign of infection. Told me to expect a few days of him being lethargic and encourage drinking etc. We got home. He screamed for an hour like he was in pain. Refused food. Fell asleep at 6.15pm until 7.30am. Didn't want to eat. Had a drink of squash. Then I managed to get him to eat 4 spoonfuls of porridge. Went u. The kitchen for calpol and heard him coughing. He was sick and brought up clear water (not eaten) an hour later he nibbled the tiniest bit of toast and had a drink. Actually walked about for 15 minutes. Then he went back to crying. Had a sleep for an hour. Woke up crying again. I tried to get him to have ibruorofen but he spat half of it out. Gave him a drink and sat him back on the sofa. He threw up a little bit more fluid!

He's now laid watching Tele and lethargic.

The Dr didn't mention flu just he had a virus. But he's got no energy, on and off fever, won't play, barely eating, crying on and off. Sleeping loads. Got a sore ear and throat. What do you think? I have no experience with flu. But whatever this is is making him really weak and he's had many colds before. He still plays etc usually. Thanks for reading x

I'm not sure anyone on here is going to be able to tell you if that's flu or not OP. And in many ways it doesn't matter. What matters is monitoring and managing the symptoms your son is suffering. Don't be afraid to call 111 if you think he is going downhill.

No I know nobody will no for sure. Flu is alot worse than a standard virus though is t it? I just wondered if this sounds like flu more than people saying it is flu. Its the exhaustion and lack of energy for four days now that's worrying. I will keep in touch with the drs if he gets worse x

My son has been like this, day 5 now and dramatically better this morning, actually eating and running around.

Mine had this for 4 days temps of 40+ and no appetite. Now cold cough and snotty. Think it’s just a virus rather than flu

Mine had this, I just kept giving her calpol and letting her sleep. She is through it now. Don’t worry if they don’t have an appetite and need lots of rest, their little bodies are just trying to fight the illness off.

It's a difficult one , people can't diagnose someone over the internet.

There is a spike in flu cases. Particularly in children. 25% in the past week

Hope your little one feels better. Seek medical advice always if you are unsure- better than asking on an Internet forum.

Flu is usually quick onset - within hours will go from up and about to flat in bed really ill and mostly sleeping. If he's up at all, unlikely flu. Suggest that if not been vaccinated, then get it sorted as soon as he's feeling better.

Thanks everyone. I hope it's just a virus. He's had abit more today to eat. Don't worry I'm sensible and have been to the drs and will go back if he gets worse. He's two next week. Not been given a flu jab as I'm sure it's over two we get offered? Our surgery usually contact us for these things. My daughter is nearly five and has had three flu sprays now. So I'm not against them having it?

No advice apart from if he's not taking any medicine orally, try suppositories, I believe they go into the bloodstream a lot quicker as well.

Agree with @Firstimemam re: suppositories - we've recently had a horrible virus hit my 3 year old (again, seems worse than usual cold/cough type virus) and endured many days of sleepiness, crying and no appetite. In fact a week on it's still not really come back.

Suppositories were v handy as my son would either spit out the medicine, refuse to take it entirely or throw it up. His temp is up again and I'm terrified we have yet another week of this (I have health anxiety, so it always hits me hard)

Hope your DS is soon okay.