Sick with tonsillitis - help please!

[CLK125]

Hi!

we are currently on holiday abroad. Had the doctor out today for my 4 year old as her temp was up at 39.5 and her tonsils are huge and inflamed.

He has given us antibiotics and steroids for the swelling but she has a terrible gag reflex and always has done, even a funny smell can make her sick. She is just constantly being sick/wretching. Is that normal with tonsillitis? I actually used to get it terrible as a child and had my tonsils removed but can never mind sickness. I think there’s a lot of saliva and flem gathering at the back of her throat as she’s not wanting to swallow then it’s making her feel sick.

Just worried none of antibiotics etc will do anything if she’s just bringing them back up! Any tips welcome!

Hmm this is worrying. Like you’d I’d be concerned none of the antibiotics etc will be getting in. How is her temperature now? That’s often a good indicator of how raging the infection is. If the fever is still high or she’s still really unwell I’d get further medical help as she may need IV medication.

Thanks for your reply! Her temp comes down with calpol back to around 37 but as soon as the calpol wears off it’s back upto around 39 and it’s within about 4 hours of calpol.

Shes just been sick again but it’s just bile and phlegm she’s bringing up. I feel so sorry for her. The doctor has also prescribed anti sickness medication but she just will not take it and iv tried everything I can think of!

If she’s so unwell that she can’t keep the oral antibiotics down even with antisickness then I’d be booking a flight home to be honest, she may need IV antibiotics

I agree.

I wouldn't put her on a flight. I'd take her to A&E where you are

She perked up this morning and hasn’t been sick since about 1am. She seemed fine so gave her a yoghurt but she has just been sick with that again. Managed to get her to take the anti sickness just now so hoping that starts working. She says her throat isn’t as sore today and seems a lot happier in herself but she just can’t seem to keep anything down. Also not gave her calpol this morning and her temp has come right down.

I will see how we go today. It would be about a 12 hour travel day for us and I honestly don’t know how she would cope with the sickness. We will just stay in the room today and if I think she needs it il call the doctor again for advice and see what he suggests eg antibiotics.

Is she drinking and able to keep it down? Hydration is the main thing, food I wouldn’t fuss over.

12 hours is lengthy! If it was a short European flight then I’d probably risk flying her home for treatment but I agree with PP, that’s too far + long to go with a sick child.

The gag reflex is probably due to the swelling and that full feeling she has in her throat. I agree not to worry about food, just liquid. Will she suck on ice lollies? Then try the antibiotics, then another ice lolly? I hope she picks up soon.

She has her water bottle and just taking small sips. The doctor gave us electrolyte sachets yesterday so she has that in her water too. I’m not concerned about dehydration, she’s still peeing plenty and it’s her usual colour so she must be taking in enough water.

She’s not really interested in any food/ice lollies etc but il keep trying her with ice lollies through the day.

She seems a bit happier today I’m hoping the sickness is just the full feeling in her throat and making her gag. Hopefully now she’s took the anti sickness it might help. We still have 5 full days including today so hopefully we can get out and about the last few days if she’s feeling up to it.

If we weren’t so far from home I would probs pack up and head but we will stick it out today and see how she goes. Thanks all for your help!

It sounds like she's turned the corner if her fever has come down without medication. I wouldn't be subjecting a sick DC to a 12-hour travel day. She needs rest and fluids so she can recover. Tonsillitis is horrible! You feel absolutely vile. I'm glad she seems to be doing better.

I remember vomiting with tonsillitis because my tonsils were so big I couldn’t cough, so the phlegm and gunk just sat there. It was horrible.

So further update! Iv just noticed a rash start appearing on her feet and hands! Now thinking this is potentially hand foot and mouth and not tonsillitis!

Rash has only just appeared in the last 30 mins but no blisters or anything round the mouth…. Yet!

Have you done the glass test on the rash?

Another thought is that my DD vomits if she has a very high temperature. Depending on the country you're in you might be able to get kids paracetamol in suppository form. This way she wouldn't puke it back up, it would bring the temperature down and then she'd be more likely to keep the AB down.