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Original poster

Teenager sick all the time since March

6 replies

LizzieB44 · 27/06/2023 14:37

Do you have the feeling there are more viruses around this year? We can't explain what is going on with our son. He's 14 now and in the past 8 years he was sick only twice. But since March this year, he has been sick every 2 weeks. It started with a stomach bug, then fever and a cold, again fever and a cold, something called the Fifth disease, more colds and today I came from work and found him in bed with high fever and no other symptoms!! We are at our wits end. We went through this when he was a toddler, he was constantly sick but it's been so long since that! I'm terrified that it's starting all over again. He got his blood checked twice this year and it was always OK so I'm pretty desperate... any similar experiences?

OP posts:
UnmentionedElephantDildo · 27/06/2023 14:52

Yes, v common as a consequence of covid.

Not because of lockdowns (that's too far in the past now) but because, like several other viruses, covid dampens down the immune system for a period after the acute infection (even if mild) and that can last for months.

So the single most useful thing you can do is to step off the covid merry-go-round - not least avoiding infection with covid also reduces infection with everything else. So, lobby for better air quality in school, think about exposure if going to indoors events, use masks if you have to be close to other people indoors, and also when you/yours have something, keep away from other people unless it's essential you do something (because if everyone did that, then transmission - of everything - would be a little bit lower)

Also make sure he's eating well and gets enough rest. But don't advocate lots of exercise except at the times he's fully fit - you can't push through the fatigue of convalescence that way

Original poster
LizzieB44 · 27/06/2023 14:56

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 27/06/2023 14:52

Yes, v common as a consequence of covid.

Not because of lockdowns (that's too far in the past now) but because, like several other viruses, covid dampens down the immune system for a period after the acute infection (even if mild) and that can last for months.

So the single most useful thing you can do is to step off the covid merry-go-round - not least avoiding infection with covid also reduces infection with everything else. So, lobby for better air quality in school, think about exposure if going to indoors events, use masks if you have to be close to other people indoors, and also when you/yours have something, keep away from other people unless it's essential you do something (because if everyone did that, then transmission - of everything - would be a little bit lower)

Also make sure he's eating well and gets enough rest. But don't advocate lots of exercise except at the times he's fully fit - you can't push through the fatigue of convalescence that way

Thanks for your message! He actually didn't have Covid this year, he had it in 2021 and this series of health issues began in March 2023 so it must be something else. Or maybe he had Covid but the test showed a false negative, god knows... It would make so much sense if it was due to Covid, his best friend had it two months ago and we thought our son didn't get it but maybe he had it without symptoms...

OP posts:
BloominFlower · 28/06/2023 19:18

It could possibly be his body struggling to get rid of his illness? I had a friend who had a problem with her daughter a while ago where her adenoids were blocked causing frequent illness, does he usually get any other symptoms or is it just a high fever?

Original poster
LizzieB44 · 29/06/2023 15:25

BloominFlower · 28/06/2023 19:18

It could possibly be his body struggling to get rid of his illness? I had a friend who had a problem with her daughter a while ago where her adenoids were blocked causing frequent illness, does he usually get any other symptoms or is it just a high fever?

It's the first time he got fever without other symptoms, he had his tonsils and adenoids removed some time ago. I spoke to his GP today on the phone and she thinks it's a consequence of all the stress he had in school so she prescribed him some vitamins.
I must say my husband has the same health problems since a few months ago, I have the feeling both are sick all the time and I'm the only one healthy in the family!

OP posts:
Oblomov23 · 29/06/2023 15:38

What stress has he had at school. Is he year 9? End of year exams, in such a inconsequential year, shouldn't be stressful.

Original poster
LizzieB44 · 29/06/2023 15:41

Oblomov23 · 29/06/2023 15:38

What stress has he had at school. Is he year 9? End of year exams, in such a inconsequential year, shouldn't be stressful.

He's very anxious by nature. Everything stresses him and he will start therapy soon, so it's more complicated than it seems.

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