2 year old has the flu

mummyl2013 · 2024-12-16T21:21:08+00:00

Worried sick mum. My 2 year old fell ill 2 days after his birthday last week.(Tuesday) Horrific temperature cough no appetite coughing all night long. Wasn't getting better went to doctors got anti biotics for a crackle in his chest. Didn't do anything. Every day getting worse. He can't walk, hasn't talked, sleeping all day and night for the past 3 days. Ended up in a&e yesterday as we were worried sick. Flu was confirmed by swab and chest xray showed infection so he has double antibiotics. When should I see improvement in him I'm so worried 💔 he hasn't been able to eat barely a thing for 7 days either

gamerchick · 16/12/2024 21:23

Is he drinking though and peeing? Did the hospital check him for dehydration? I wouldn't hesitate on taking him back if he doesn't pick up.

Poor little poppet. Flu is awful.

Original poster

mummyl2013 · 16/12/2024 21:24

gamerchick · 16/12/2024 21:23

Is he drinking though and peeing? Did the hospital check him for dehydration? I wouldn't hesitate on taking him back if he doesn't pick up.

Poor little poppet. Flu is awful.

Thankfully he's drinking loads of water and milk lots of wet nappies. I have an older child and never seen him that poorly it's horrific.

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gamerchick · 16/12/2024 21:30

That's good. As long as he's drinking and peeing plenty. He'll be getting fats from the milk.

It is, proper flu is quite frightening. You'll know if he goes downhill. Keep him dosed up so he's comfortable and hopefully he'll pick up soon. It can drag on a bit I think.

Original poster

mummyl2013 · 16/12/2024 21:33

gamerchick · 16/12/2024 21:30

That's good. As long as he's drinking and peeing plenty. He'll be getting fats from the milk.

It is, proper flu is quite frightening. You'll know if he goes downhill. Keep him dosed up so he's comfortable and hopefully he'll pick up soon. It can drag on a bit I think.

I remember having the flu when my oldest was 4 and I wasn't fully better for 2 weeks so I imagine it will be worse for my son. Hopefully he will bounce back quicker but he seems to take a while to get over any illness

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Chance2020 · 16/12/2024 21:35

My 3 year old has just recovered from the flu, it was an awful, 7 days, also had a chest infection, I’d say day 6 she perked up a bit, by day 8 she was a lot better! Is fine now but is still very tired! Also completely wiped me out at the same time which was not what I needed while she was ill!

Shoemadlady · 16/12/2024 21:35

My little one was similar recently. The hospital said t let them eat crisps and ice lollies. I thought they were joking but the crisps are for salt and ice lollies as it's sugar and water to rehydrate them. Hope he's better soon x

Original poster

mummyl2013 · 16/12/2024 21:41

Chance2020 · 16/12/2024 21:35

My 3 year old has just recovered from the flu, it was an awful, 7 days, also had a chest infection, I’d say day 6 she perked up a bit, by day 8 she was a lot better! Is fine now but is still very tired! Also completely wiped me out at the same time which was not what I needed while she was ill!

Oh no bless her! It's so horrible isn't it! Was she sleeping all the time? I think that's the hardest part, no playing no talking or even smiling just sleeping with the odd wake moment to watch tv. It's absolutely heart breaking!! that must have been so hard you both being ill! My husband had it first we think. Me and my oldest have been vaccinated so I hope that's why we're ok at the moment.

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Original poster

mummyl2013 · 16/12/2024 21:42

Shoemadlady · 16/12/2024 21:35

My little one was similar recently. The hospital said t let them eat crisps and ice lollies. I thought they were joking but the crisps are for salt and ice lollies as it's sugar and water to rehydrate them. Hope he's better soon x

Literally been offering him everything just to hope he eats something. He did eat a biscuit earlier. It's just horrible to see

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twinmumoffour85 · 16/12/2024 22:43

Ahh it's awful OP. My daughter had it at 20 months and we spent three days in hospital because she developed pneumonia. You did the right thing taking her to the docs and A&E. I'm sure the antibiotics will kick in soon. The only thing that my daughter would eat was smoothie pouches and yoghurts. It took around 7 days after she started the antibiotics for her to be running around chasing her twin brother and eating normally. Thankfully we're almost two years down the line and she's had no long term problems.

Original poster

mummyl2013 · 16/12/2024 23:32

twinmumoffour85 · 16/12/2024 22:43

Ahh it's awful OP. My daughter had it at 20 months and we spent three days in hospital because she developed pneumonia. You did the right thing taking her to the docs and A&E. I'm sure the antibiotics will kick in soon. The only thing that my daughter would eat was smoothie pouches and yoghurts. It took around 7 days after she started the antibiotics for her to be running around chasing her twin brother and eating normally. Thankfully we're almost two years down the line and she's had no long term problems.

That's so scary. Glad she has no long term oroblems I hope my son doesn't either 🙏 he's currently up having a coughing fit it's never ending 😥

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alwaysworthatry · 17/12/2024 00:38

do antibiotics work for flu? Your son's symptoms sound just like mine, although we are only on day 2. chesty cough, 39.9c temp that doesn't lower much with calpol/neurofen, lethargic, wont eat much. The gp today said he has a chest infection that is probably viral but prescribed antibiotics to use if it doesn't get better soon.

I'm not really sure what to do about work. is it classed as emergency parental leave if you have no alternative childcare? nursery won't accept him in and I wouldn't want others getting sick.

XmasSocks · 17/12/2024 00:42

Did you tell the hospital that he has been asleep day and night for three days, not talking and not walking?

I would go back

Original poster

mummyl2013 · 17/12/2024 05:54

XmasSocks · 17/12/2024 00:42

Did you tell the hospital that he has been asleep day and night for three days, not talking and not walking?

I would go back

Yeah we told them. They made us stand him up to try and walk, he just sat down and just said oh he's just being sorry for himself. They also just said to let him rest. If I don't see any improvement today I will be going back

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Original poster

mummyl2013 · 17/12/2024 05:56

alwaysworthatry · 17/12/2024 00:38

do antibiotics work for flu? Your son's symptoms sound just like mine, although we are only on day 2. chesty cough, 39.9c temp that doesn't lower much with calpol/neurofen, lethargic, wont eat much. The gp today said he has a chest infection that is probably viral but prescribed antibiotics to use if it doesn't get better soon.

I'm not really sure what to do about work. is it classed as emergency parental leave if you have no alternative childcare? nursery won't accept him in and I wouldn't want others getting sick.

I'm not sure on the work front as I am a stay at home mum. You can't exactly send him in with the flu though. We're in the same boat they said they weren't sure if the chest infection was viral or bacterial but gave the antibiotics because of how poorly he is I think

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Stillherestillpraying · 17/12/2024 06:00

Aren’t 2 year olds eligible for flu vaccination?
Didn’t he have it? (If not why not)

Original poster

mummyl2013 · 17/12/2024 06:26

Stillherestillpraying · 17/12/2024 06:00

Aren’t 2 year olds eligible for flu vaccination?
Didn’t he have it? (If not why not)

Because he turned 2 on Sunday and got ill on Tuesday!!! Trust me if he could have had it he would have!!!

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Stillherestillpraying · 17/12/2024 06:27

mummyl2013 · 17/12/2024 06:26

Because he turned 2 on Sunday and got ill on Tuesday!!! Trust me if he could have had it he would have!!!

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Fair enough. Bad timing. Get well soon and make sure you get it next year

Greentomatoes21 · 17/12/2024 06:47

My 4 year old son has just got over flu and he did have the vaccination. Would dread to see it without. Similar, seven full days of high fever, cough, sleeping long periods in the day, asking for bedtime at 5pm, lack of interest in everything - and an antibiotic for a secondary chest infection. We were so concerned for him. We got him to eat ice lollies (we had to hold them for him) which I think helped keep fever a little less high. We also overlapped calpol and neurofen on a strict schedule. I felt like he'd never pick up but he did - we took him to our GP twice in one week - do seek help if you're concerned.

Original poster

mummyl2013 · 17/12/2024 08:06

Greentomatoes21 · 17/12/2024 06:47

My 4 year old son has just got over flu and he did have the vaccination. Would dread to see it without. Similar, seven full days of high fever, cough, sleeping long periods in the day, asking for bedtime at 5pm, lack of interest in everything - and an antibiotic for a secondary chest infection. We were so concerned for him. We got him to eat ice lollies (we had to hold them for him) which I think helped keep fever a little less high. We also overlapped calpol and neurofen on a strict schedule. I felt like he'd never pick up but he did - we took him to our GP twice in one week - do seek help if you're concerned.

Sounds so similar. It's absolutely awful isn't it. When did you start to see signs of improvement? Today is day 7 and so far I'm seeing nothing. He's only had one day of antibiotics for the chest infection so far though. Surely after another day he will start to improve. Feel helpless

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cheezncrackers · 17/12/2024 08:11

Poor little boy! Flu is a horrible illness and I'm sorry he's so unwell. It's good that you took him to hospital to get him checked out and also that he's drinking plenty and getting calories from milk. I remember getting the flu when I was at uni and I was in bed for a week, unable to do anything and it took a further week for me to be back to anything like normal. It was absolutely awful. I would just do what you're doing and expect it to take 1-2 weeks to clear up.

The vaccine this year is apparently only 40% effective, which is why flu is so rife.

Greentomatoes21 · 17/12/2024 08:17

mummyl2013 · 17/12/2024 08:06

Sounds so similar. It's absolutely awful isn't it. When did you start to see signs of improvement? Today is day 7 and so far I'm seeing nothing. He's only had one day of antibiotics for the chest infection so far though. Surely after another day he will start to improve. Feel helpless

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At the end of the seventh day we say some improvement in his form - fever fizzled out rather than disappear suddenly. By thos stage though he had been on the antibitoic 48 hours. The same happened with my nephew who unfortunately caught it from my son. I think he was into the 8th day. Both boys still tired with residual coughs for says after but fever and form settled around the end of a week mark.

Original poster

mummyl2013 · 17/12/2024 08:34

cheezncrackers · 17/12/2024 08:11

Poor little boy! Flu is a horrible illness and I'm sorry he's so unwell. It's good that you took him to hospital to get him checked out and also that he's drinking plenty and getting calories from milk. I remember getting the flu when I was at uni and I was in bed for a week, unable to do anything and it took a further week for me to be back to anything like normal. It was absolutely awful. I would just do what you're doing and expect it to take 1-2 weeks to clear up.

The vaccine this year is apparently only 40% effective, which is why flu is so rife.

Thanks for your message. Flu is defo not good for adults so kids obviously suffer even worse. I hope he's well for Xmas bless him

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Original poster

mummyl2013 · 17/12/2024 08:36

Greentomatoes21 · 17/12/2024 06:47

My 4 year old son has just got over flu and he did have the vaccination. Would dread to see it without. Similar, seven full days of high fever, cough, sleeping long periods in the day, asking for bedtime at 5pm, lack of interest in everything - and an antibiotic for a secondary chest infection. We were so concerned for him. We got him to eat ice lollies (we had to hold them for him) which I think helped keep fever a little less high. We also overlapped calpol and neurofen on a strict schedule. I felt like he'd never pick up but he did - we took him to our GP twice in one week - do seek help if you're concerned.

Hopefully I'll see improvement within the next few days then poor little man. Just want to see him smile again 😞

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Tel12 · 17/12/2024 08:40

Greentomatoes21 · 17/12/2024 06:47

My 4 year old son has just got over flu and he did have the vaccination. Would dread to see it without. Similar, seven full days of high fever, cough, sleeping long periods in the day, asking for bedtime at 5pm, lack of interest in everything - and an antibiotic for a secondary chest infection. We were so concerned for him. We got him to eat ice lollies (we had to hold them for him) which I think helped keep fever a little less high. We also overlapped calpol and neurofen on a strict schedule. I felt like he'd never pick up but he did - we took him to our GP twice in one week - do seek help if you're concerned.

It might not have made any difference with or without the vaccine as it only works on some strains. They do their best guess when they are developing them.

Lemonade2011 · 17/12/2024 08:42

Bless him, hope he’s feeling better soon.
if he only just turned 2 he wouldn’t get the flu vaccine until next year as the cut off is children who turned 2 by 1 sept this year so don’t beat yourself up about that.

make sure he continues to drink plenty, offer things he likes to eat just little bits but as long as he’s drinking he will get calories from milk and hydration from both milk and water, he will sleep loads it’s just his body getting better but take him back if your worried at all, he is only small ❤️