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Children's health

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Toddler bad cold - GP or not?

13 replies

Wrangleyours · 15/12/2024 20:46

My 2 year old has been ill pretty much none stop for over 6 weeks. I say pretty much because there's sometimes literally a day or so that he seems to be sort of improving and then he gets worse again.

It's been the usual symptoms of a bad cold - snotty, congested, really tired and moody. He's also been having some constipation and diarrhoea.

He feels burning hot to touch on his head and neck but the thermometer says he's not actually got a fever. I've tried 2 different thermometers and taken it on head, ear and armpit.

Last week he was pulling at his ears and saying they were itchy and hurt so I took him to a pharmacist who said he couldn't see an ear infection but lots of wax.

I know that it's common for toddlers to have one virus after another but when people have said that to me, they seem to usually mean that they've carried on as normal with an annoying cough or sniffles. Whereas he's not himself for over a month. He usually loves going out to play and seeing family and now her just absolutely miserable with no energy. When I do take him out, like to the park for fresh air, he often just wants to go home.

The adults in the house have all been ill too a couple of times but not none-stop like him.

The last couple of days he's seemed worse and has lost his appetite. He says he wants food but as soon as he puts it in his mouth he spits it out like it tastes awful. It could, however, be something new as his dad has been unwell for a few days too.

He's had some water but not as much as usual, but he is still having some wet nappies. Still no temperature even though he feels really hot. He is having tantrums at the drop of a hat which isn't like him as he's always been quite an easygoing child. He's extremely clingy with me crawling on me asking for cuddles constantly.

Is there a situation where he could not have a temperature but still need a GP visit / antibiotics?

Surely there is a length of time where you'd take them in? Like would you leave him 6 months, to use an extreme example, of him being like this every day?

I'm doubting myself because he doesn't have a fever and there is nothing making me think it's an A&E emergency. Normally I'd never dream of going in to a GP with a cold and infecting everyone but I also feel like he isn't right and doesn't seem to be improving.

OP posts:
sarahsarahsarahsar · 15/12/2024 20:51

GP tomorrow to talk it through. Write out your timeline first.

Nogodsnomasters · 15/12/2024 20:58

Did the pharmacist give you anything for the wax in the ear?

If you give him calpol or nurofen does the burning hot to touch stop?

If it were me I'd take him to the GP. I've taken my son for less.

Somanymumquestions · 15/12/2024 21:01

It's so hard when they're sick at this time of year! I would definitely take him to the GP with that timeline. Mine has been the same for a week, and if it's still going on on Friday I'll be bringing him in. He had similar last year, and needed antibiotics to clear a sinus infection - never had a temp.

Whatabouthow · 15/12/2024 21:03

Since mid September my three year old has had two 36 hour periods when the snot stopped. It's been back to back/overlapping illnesses apart from that. GP wasn't concerned as no unexplained bleeding. With your thermometer, be aware that if it's a digital under the arm one it will read 0.5 C lower than his body temp, so 37.5 and up is a fever.

Babyandmexox · 15/12/2024 21:03

Aww bless him! I would deffo take a trip to the GP my 2 year old girl has been on and off poorly with something or the other since September. But she's has days where she's herself again. Nothing worse than when your baby is poorly.

haje · 15/12/2024 21:04

GP for sure. Mine are like this with tonsillitis. Can you see into his throat?

Wrangleyours · 15/12/2024 21:06

Nogodsnomasters · 15/12/2024 20:58

Did the pharmacist give you anything for the wax in the ear?

If you give him calpol or nurofen does the burning hot to touch stop?

If it were me I'd take him to the GP. I've taken my son for less.

He didn't give us anything for the wax. Just said we should leave it and if his ear starts feeling really hot or he screams in pain when it's touched to bring him to the GP.

The calpol does help the hot to the touch issue but that seems to be the only thing it helps if that makes sense. Like it doesn't otherwise seem to particularly perk him up or make him feel better in himself.

OP posts:
Wrangleyours · 15/12/2024 21:10

I've tried to look in his throat but I can't see and he's not cooperating. He has only just turned 2 recently and communication is still basic and it's difficult to reason with him.

He was very good letting the pharmacist look in his ears so I think the GP will likely have an easier time.

Thank you for the reassurance everyone. I am going to call the GP in the morning.

OP posts:
Jingleberryalltheway · 15/12/2024 21:11

GP tomorrow. Sounds like he may have constipation with over flow which is some thing you want to get on top of ASAP to prevent long term issues.

Nogodsnomasters · 16/12/2024 07:36

Yes definitely bring a time line list written down to the appointment with you, don't be fobbed off with antibiotics prescribed over the phone, tell them you want him checked over.

Whatabouthow · 16/12/2024 11:02

Did you manage to get an appointment @Wrangleyours

Wrangleyours · 17/12/2024 13:16

I managed to get to the GP. She checked his chest, ears, mouth etc. she said she couldn't see any signs of infection. He was screaming the whole time she was listening to his chest but said usually if they're really unwell she can hear it even while they're crying.

She prescribed a few days of antibiotics just in case as its been going on for so long but said she's doubtful it will make a difference.

Glad that there doesn't seem to be anything nasty going on but just hope he gets better soon.

Sorry for the delay in updating. Everyone in the house is really unwell so we have been in survival mode. Thank you everyone for the input. I am glad I took him in.

OP posts:
Nogodsnomasters · 17/12/2024 14:06

Wrangleyours · 17/12/2024 13:16

I managed to get to the GP. She checked his chest, ears, mouth etc. she said she couldn't see any signs of infection. He was screaming the whole time she was listening to his chest but said usually if they're really unwell she can hear it even while they're crying.

She prescribed a few days of antibiotics just in case as its been going on for so long but said she's doubtful it will make a difference.

Glad that there doesn't seem to be anything nasty going on but just hope he gets better soon.

Sorry for the delay in updating. Everyone in the house is really unwell so we have been in survival mode. Thank you everyone for the input. I am glad I took him in.

At least you have the reassurance now that no bacterial infection has been detected and these are likely back to back viral infections.

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