9 year old daughter

[WorriedGiraffe12]

For about 24 hours now my 9 year old has had a fever and headache. Temp of around 39 which drops to 38 with calpol. Headache doesn't seem to be shifting much, or at least for more than an hour after the calpol kicks in. She's pale but has bright red cheeks and is shivering even though she's so hot to touch.

She's now saying her chest feels a bit tight and she's coughing but no phlegm. And she has a tummy ache around her belly button that hurts when she moves.

It seems odd, lots of little symptoms but is making her utterly miserable. She doesn't want to eat, she was waking hp last night crying. Not like her at all poor girl.

111 online suggests self care until she's been unwell for 3 days but this seems a long time for a sick child to not be assessed.

DH thinks I'm being overly cautious but I was thinking of doing an e-consult (only way to contact our surgery).

Any ideas / suggestions to make her more comfortable and also if I'm over reacting doing an e-consult?

Thanks

I think an e-consult is perfectly sensible.

The advice from 111 sounds fine and most illnesses present in a similar way with a variety of symptoms and take from 24hrs to a week or two to develop, progress and heal.

A fever generally gives a headache when it is going up - that will also cause the shivering as the body tries to reach the temperature that the body has set to try and get rid of the bug in the same way you shiver when you're cold.

However a fever is very non-specific - it just tells you the body is fighting infection. As the illness progresses there may be more clues as if it is in a specific location or more generalised.

There is some good general advice for colds and flu on NHS uk that will give you things to watch out for as well.

I wouldn’t feel anxious about this at this stage, and would probably treat at home for next several days as long as she is drinking. Sounds like she is fighting something off and her immune system is doing what it’s supposed to.

Make sure she is taking in plenty of fluids - warm Ribena or a herbal eg peppermint tea are great if she likes them. If she can manage some slices of apple or banana and some toast that would be good too.

Keep her comfortable either tucked up in bed or on the sofa, in cotton not fleece Pjs with a loose cotton sheet and cotton blankets (avoid duvet), so her body can regulate her temperature as best it can.

If she has a headache keep curtains drawn and let her read, play jigsaws or just sleep.

Thanks for the advice. She's been up and down all day poor girl. She's now saying it hurts when she coughs and is starting to bring up coloured mucus so I'll be doing an econsult first thing as it may be a chest infection. Frustrating I had to work today but luckily husband (her dad) was with her and she's slept a lot today but has been generally lethargic and not herself all day

We are now on day 6 and I'm starting to worry as she is still spiking a fever, headache, sore throat etc and has disturbed sleep. She's off her food but is drinking luckily.

We saw an ACP at the gp surgery on Wednesday as she wasn't any better who said it is viral as her chest was clear and no spots on her tonsils.

I really don't know what to do now. Do I contact urgent care over the weekend or wait till Monday for the GP?

I'm so fed up of seeing her like this.

How is she @WorriedGiraffe12? My 8yo is exactly the same. She caught it from her friend after a sleepover and there’s a big going around in class. My DH also has the cough / feeling generally rubbish. DD has awfully snotty nose, headache, tummy ache and bad cough. I’m hoping it clears up soon as she feels miserable

Hello. She's finally back to normal today so back to school tomorrow. Over a week ill. It's such a nasty bug. I hope your DD feels better soon

Thanks @WorriedGiraffe12 - glad your DD is feeling better. It’s horrible when kids are unwell!