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Original poster

Would you take your child to see the Dr? Advice needed please!!!

43 replies

Dandy008 · 01/09/2021 12:20

My son is 18 months old.

He’s had an on/off cough for a few months now.
(had several negative Covid tests)

Over the last few days his cough has become much worse and yesterday he started with a high temperature.

Ive taken him for another Covid test today (requested by the nursery, but also because our Drs wouldn’t allow us to the surgery without a negative PcR)

The Drs yesterday said if his breathing is affected we should take him to A&E otherwise we are to wait until we have a negative PcR and then the Drs will check him over.

Today his chest sounds awful and very rattly / raspy.

He is breathing normally but sounds very weasy and still has a high temperature. (38.8)

Ive spoken to my husband and said I feel like we should get him checked out, and he literally flipped and starting shouting at me.

I have a history of anxiety (I’m currently having CBT) and I know that I can sometimes be over the top / worry excessively.

My husband has said our son doesn’t need to see a Dr and I’m going to make him into an “anxious mess” like me if I carry on like this… 😕

I literally don’t even trust my own judgement anymore because every time our son is unwell my and I raise concerns with my husband, he disagrees or tells me I’m wrong and it’s just me being anxious.

Please can someone be a bit more gentle than my twat of a husband and tell me what is the best thing to do?!

OP posts:
JennaPenna · 01/09/2021 12:22

Is he sucking ribs and middle of neck in when breathing?

My LO was weezy last week and it was viral.

Is he drinking ok?

Original poster
Dandy008 · 01/09/2021 12:23

@JennaPenna

Is he sucking ribs and middle of neck in when breathing?

My LO was weezy last week and it was viral.

Is he drinking ok?

@JennaPenna

No he isn’t sucking in in either of those places.

Yes he’s drinking plenty of BM & water.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 01/09/2021 12:24

Your husband is a dick.

Start with giving 111 a ring for advice. They'll take you through some questions and arrange for the best medical care (GP, A&E, paramedic check) it's better to get him checked than hang in and potentially have to dash to A&E later (not saying that will happen though)

Hope he's okay. 😊

Original poster
Dandy008 · 01/09/2021 12:25

@QuestionableMouse

Honestly he makes me feel so small / stupid.

I have zero confidence in myself as a mother and he makes it so much worse. 😓

OP posts:
JennaPenna · 01/09/2021 12:35

I would deffo get him checked out.
My DS was giving an inhaler and it helped a lot.

Mumdiva99 · 01/09/2021 12:41

Your doctor is happy to check him over once the test result comes back.

So - unless he has trouble breathing - in which case a&e - then you can make an appointment with the Doctor and get him checked.

(I understand health anxiety....as I live with someone who suffers. But really you do have to trust your judgement. Kids are quite resilient. Maybe instead of fighting your husband each time you could ask what he would do in the circumstance before making a call.)

ilovepuggies · 01/09/2021 12:44

When it comes to my children I’ve decided that if I’m even thinking about getting medical advice I decide to do it.
Peace of mind if nothing is wrong and then treatment if there is something.
Listen to your instinct.
I’ve disagreed with my husband before and taken them anyway.

nameisnotimportant · 01/09/2021 12:56

If he is wheezy then he needs to see a doctor. A wheeze is a sign of inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Children can compensate a lot and seem fine but then deteriorate quickly. Trust your gut. It's better to regret seeing the doctor than regret not going. Start be calling nhs direct and they will assess how urgently he needs to be seen.

Fncottonrrrrgh · 01/09/2021 13:02

Your GP sounds shit like a their prioritising their own health over your baby's. My GP wouldn't do this. Complain on every platform available. Care qualities commission ah the NHS website to OP.

Fncottonrrrrgh · 01/09/2021 13:04

Screaming to the universe "fecking useless GP's in the UK need their arseholes kicking and neeeeeeeeeed to the government back to work as normal like the rest of society"

Fncottonrrrrgh · 01/09/2021 13:05

To go..... Note the government HmmAngry

PlanDeRaccordement · 01/09/2021 13:10

Definitely see a Dr when the PCR comes back. It could be bronchitis or early symptoms of asthma with unrelated fever. Definitely not normal to have had a cough for so long.

It doesn’t matter if it ends up being nothing either, you’re not a doctor and it is always better to take a child to a doctor just to be on safe side.

Emelene · 01/09/2021 13:15

If you’re concerned I would ring 111. I don’t think anyone would mind giving reassurance with a young child. I think your partner’s attitude is wrong and very unkind.

Original poster
Dandy008 · 01/09/2021 13:29

@PlanDeRaccordement

Definitely see a Dr when the PCR comes back. It could be bronchitis or early symptoms of asthma with unrelated fever. Definitely not normal to have had a cough for so long.

It doesn’t matter if it ends up being nothing either, you’re not a doctor and it is always better to take a child to a doctor just to be on safe side.

@PlanDeRaccordement

He saw a Dr at the beginning of August (for the second time about his cough)
They gave us an inhaler to try morning and night but it’s not making a difference.

His cough up until now has been a dry cough and hasn’t been chesty / crackly.

It’s only the last few days that he’s chesty and wheezy, it’s making me think something is going on particularly as he’s got a high temperature.

OP posts:
PlanDeRaccordement · 01/09/2021 13:45

I agree something is going on. It could even be both asthma and a chest infection/bronchitis as asthmatics are higher risk for a simple cold turning into a chest infection.

On the inhaler, 18 m is very young to use one successfully. You do use a spacer with it right? Mine were also prescribed oral montelukast which is safe to use age 1 and older. And that made a big difference for them.

How long does PCR take for you? The ones here take twenty minutes at a lab...if it’s a long wait for you, then I agree with calling 111 now as other posters have said.

Original poster
Dandy008 · 01/09/2021 13:50

@PlanDeRaccordement

I agree something is going on. It could even be both asthma and a chest infection/bronchitis as asthmatics are higher risk for a simple cold turning into a chest infection.

On the inhaler, 18 m is very young to use one successfully. You do use a spacer with it right? Mine were also prescribed oral montelukast which is safe to use age 1 and older. And that made a big difference for them.

How long does PCR take for you? The ones here take twenty minutes at a lab...if it’s a long wait for you, then I agree with calling 111 now as other posters have said.

@PlanDeRaccordement

Yes we have a spacer for an inhaler.

Wow 20 minutes for a PCR!! The last one we did we got the results back in 11 hours.

I have a friend who did a PcR a few days ago and her results took 32 hours (we’re in the same area)

OP posts:
3womeninaboat · 01/09/2021 13:54

I would only go to A&E if he has retractions or if the fever doesn’t come down with paracetamol. Otherwise GP should be fine as long as he doesn’t get worse.

3womeninaboat · 01/09/2021 13:56

Montelukast has been withdrawn for children where I am because of the side effects.

PlanDeRaccordement · 01/09/2021 13:57

@3womeninaboat

Montelukast has been withdrawn for children where I am because of the side effects.
Oh ok, thanks for that did not know. My youngest is now 17, so it was awhile ago. Is there anything you know of that they do offer now? (Other than inhalers)
PlasticDinosaur · 01/09/2021 13:57

It is totally normal for kids this age to have virus after virus. What may seem like a cough that's lasting months may be a series of different bugs. My son did this when I went back to work at 14 months and again when he started nursery at three. Hopefully that's the case rather than anything long term anyway. It's so hard when they're suffering

Original poster
Dandy008 · 01/09/2021 13:58

@3womeninaboat

I’ve just made a call to our GP and I’m waiting for them to call me back.

He’s perked up a little now, he’s eaten some lunch and has been playing.

He just sounds so wheezy and crackly and his cough is awful.
Temp has come down to 37.7

OP posts:
Original poster
Dandy008 · 01/09/2021 14:00

@PlasticDinosaur

It is totally normal for kids this age to have virus after virus. What may seem like a cough that's lasting months may be a series of different bugs. My son did this when I went back to work at 14 months and again when he started nursery at three. Hopefully that's the case rather than anything long term anyway. It's so hard when they're suffering
@PlasticDinosaur

Oh this is reassuring, thanks.

He’s picked up a lot since starting nursery.

His cough has settled down but then a few weeks later starts back up. It always seems to be worse when he is teething and snotty, but he’s never really sounded chesty with it nor has he had a temp as the same time as having a cough.

OP posts:
LittleCatDog · 01/09/2021 14:02

My 17 month old seemed to have a constant cold for 6 months this year and really stubborn cough. It's hard no to worry isn't it. I took him to the GP and he said lockdown babies were suffering a lot this year with coughs and colds. Mine didn't have anything for the first 9 months of his life not even a sniffle then started nursery and it was just constant. I don't see the harm in a GP appointment just to be sure it's nothing else especially when they're so young. Hope it clears up soon!

PlasticDinosaur · 01/09/2021 14:05

Poor guy! DS started nursery in April and the only time he's not been dripping with snot or coughing is the last two weeks and that's only because it's summer holidaysGrin
I keep telling myself he'll have an immune system of steel.
When you say wheeze (forgive me I'm not trying to patronise people use it for all sorts of noises) is it a whistling noise or is it a crackly noise? Is it on the in breath, out breath or both?

Wardrobes123 · 01/09/2021 14:06

Lots of experience with chests here - it sounds like he may have a chest infection/bronchitis especially with the temperature and wheeze, I would try and get him seen - call 111 to see if its best waiting for the GP or A&E. He is only very little so don't worry about second guessing yourself at this age.