Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Hand hold DD poorly abroad

28 replies

Okaaaay · 09/04/2022 19:49

So the backstory is that my DS got sepsis last year and was really poorly - this has left me with severe health anxiety where my children are concerned.

My DD5 got chickenpox 3 weeks ago and was really poorly - both at the time and post-viral. It took her about 16 days to be normal again. So we came on holiday with her feeling rough still (but not infectious - day 13). She has recovered whilst on holiday. Then my DS has had CP the whole of our holiday (started on day 1).

Today was supposed to be the first day we went out together with them both (DS has crusted over). My DD woke with a 38.5 temp and stomach pain this am. She’s literally not moved from bed all day. Her temp has been going up and down with calpol. It appeared like a stomach bug or random virus - but the stomach bug hasn’t developed into anything. She hasn’t rallied at all which I was praying she would. She’s now asleep but her temp has gone up to 39.3 (she’s had calpol). I’m now freaking out completely - we’re away with poor access to paediatrics and she isn’t stabilising. I know this is normal with some temps / viruses but she isn’t usually this sick with such things. She’s moaning in her sleep and I’m terrified. Sad. Just looking for some support really.

OP posts:
lunar1 · 09/04/2022 19:53

Have you got a number to ring for your insurance company for health issues, they are usually really helpful. I would give them a ring and talk it through, you pay for it for a reason so make sure you use it.

I hope thing improve quickly.

guiltynetter · 09/04/2022 19:55

Can you give Ibruprofen also to bring her temp down? Calpol doesn't work for my children's temps. Sorry to hear this it must be really worrying.
Can you say what country you're in so people may be able to advise further?

bloodywhitecat · 09/04/2022 19:56

I second calling your insurers, holding your hand from afar.

CottonSock · 09/04/2022 19:59

Where are you?
Can you research local health care options including private?

guiltynetter · 09/04/2022 20:00

Just realised my advice to give Ibruprofen is only if she's totally over the chicken pox (which it sounds like she is from your post?)

Babdoc · 09/04/2022 20:00

If she has abdo pain and a high temp you need to see a doctor to exclude appendicitis, OP. Contact your insurers, and/or the hotel reception, who can get a local doctor out to you.

CavernousScream · 09/04/2022 20:00

Have you got any covid tests with you? I know a few kids who’ve started covid with the symptoms you describe. Luckily they’ve got better quickly

LIZS · 09/04/2022 20:00

Is there any rep or reception where you are? They could advise where the local a and e is. Could she have covid?

Duracellbunnywannabe · 09/04/2022 20:00

Don’t give ibuprofen with chicken pox unless advised otherwise. Yes to ringing insurers and getting her checked.

flapjackfairy · 09/04/2022 20:02

I had tummy pain with chickenpox. they can occur in the stomach lining so that could be the reason for the pain. Is it another flare up of the same illness ? just a thought.
What a shame your holiday has been so stressful. Really hope both kiddies feel better soon.

SirVixofVixHall · 09/04/2022 20:02

I also know of children who started Covid like this, so that sounds a possibility.

Thewishingchair123 · 09/04/2022 20:07

If you are in a hotel I would ask for a local doctor? If not and there was no open pharmacy to ask, I would enquire at any open establishment as to the name of the local drs in order to get them out ASAP. I can understand how worrying it must be. Hope her temperature comes down quickly X

urrrgh46 · 09/04/2022 20:23

Sounds an absolute nightmare. She needs checking by a doctor imo just to rule out things like appendicitis or something more serious. Poor thing - how she's better soon!

winterchills · 09/04/2022 20:25

Oh no!! Calpol doesn't bring my sons temp down he has to have ibuprofen but I know you can't have it when you have chicken pox! I really have no advice but thinking about you!

hp2 · 09/04/2022 20:28

Ice Lolly's help with making them feel more comfortable with a temp.

Original poster
Okaaaay · 09/04/2022 20:40

Thank you so much to you all - hugely appreciated and comforting.

We have just given ibruprofen - it took ages as she is totally freaked by anything that isn’t calpol (only for 5ml into her). She is three weeks into CP and healing well so I have taken it that she will be ok from that point of view. Her temp had got to 39.4 and now is 38.5.

I was worried about appendicitis. Her stomach pain has subsided a bit. But will keep an eye out for that. Praying it isn’t - surgery abroad would be horrible.

We’re going to research care locally (we’re in Portugal) and will ring insurance if anything worsens over night. We have a doctor coming in the morning as my DS needs a fit to fly letter so will hijack that appointment for DD if needed.

Thank you so much x

OP posts:
Original poster
Okaaaay · 09/04/2022 20:55

For those of you with Covid experiences, we’re the DC poorly. My DD is poorly with this (doesn’t want ice cream, tired, not getting up etc)? We had delta in October but haven’t had Omicron. The children were not poorly with delta at all x

OP posts:
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 09/04/2022 20:57

Children have been presenting with these sorts of symptoms with covid recently, do you have any lateral flow tests?

JaniceBattersby · 09/04/2022 21:01

My kids all had a really high temp on day 1-2 of Covid that refused to come down. All of them totally zonked, in
bed, and one of them was very vomity but he always gets sick with a temp.

Ibuprofen helped, Calpol didn’t. Do you have any LFTs with you? I’d test her if you do.

Original poster
Okaaaay · 09/04/2022 21:06

Yes we have one left (DH used a couple as he had a bad cold when we arrived). She is almost impossible to test though - goes bonkers when we go near her with Covid tests. She’s usually a lovely, balanced child but doesn’t cope with interventions!

OP posts:
ChristmasAtHogwarts · 09/04/2022 21:08

I’d just pin her down to be honest and get it done. At least you’d know what it is or isn’t. Temperatures are always higher at night btw due to a decrease in cortisol levels (I’m a nurse) which is always why they’re always worse at bloody night time!!
Is she drinking?

FrownedUpon · 09/04/2022 21:17

Gosh I wouldn’t have gone abroad in that situation, especially with health anxiety. It does sound like covid. Hope she’s better soon.

FishFingerSandwiches4Tea · 09/04/2022 21:17

Can you try and swab her nose while she's asleep? My first thought was covid too...
When are you due to fly home?

Original poster
Okaaaay · 09/04/2022 21:19

She’s drinking a bit but not much - trying to increase her skills. My DH just got her to eat some ice cream but it’s made her tummy sore

OP posts:
Original poster
Okaaaay · 09/04/2022 21:32

Due to fly home on Monday. Will Covid test her. I just want to be home so badly now - it’s not been a nice week.

@FrownedUpon it was difficult as my DD was cleared to fly (checked in person by a doctor) and therefore we didn’t have any grounds to cancel insurance-wise. The money isn’t the end of the world but on balance we (and the doctor) thought the sunshine and fun would be good for her.

OP posts: