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Five-year-old with worsening sore throat after fever, GP says viral

13 replies

Honeysuckle19 · 12/03/2026 07:07

Hi, my little boy is 5 and 4 days ago we kept him off school as he'd had a bad night's sleep the night before, and seemed generally off colour. He was complaining of a sore tummy but seemed ok in himself. At around 2pm he came down with a fever of 38+ so I gave some ibuprofen then paracetamol etc.

Overnight he kept spiking a high fever and was vomiting any medicine we gave so we went to out of hours who sent him up to paeds assessment ward as with the high fever he had a high heart rate.

They checked him over (no bloods or anything done) and said the back of his throat was red and swollen, but likely viral and when he stabilised they sent him home with numbing spray.

it's 3 days later and since yesterday he's been complaining of "hot" in his mouth / throat so I think that means he now is in pain with his throat. I went to the Gp with him yesterday morning and she said yes it's red and inflamed and swollen but again, said viral.

Last night he was so irritable and kept waking up in pain. He's not wanting much food and minimal drink. He's not had a high fever for over 24 hours now though which im guessing is one positive.. but I'm so worried as his pain is getting worse for him that he has a bacterial infection and not viral. How do I argue this with a Doctor when both the hospital and GP have said ''viral'? He's had no cold symptoms with it and No one's swabbed him etc.

is it worth trying those Strep A kits from the pharmacy to check for strep infection?
Would he still be getting a high fever if it was bacterial? It's the only thing that seems to have resolved.
it's now day 4 since he started with symptoms.

Im so worried that he's got a bacterial infection and no one's treating it!

OP posts:
SardinesOnButteredToast · 12/03/2026 07:18

Keep going back to GP and updating them on symptoms every day until you're feeling more reassured. It might be that you just ask for a phone call, but you are a concerned parent and you deserve reassurance and vigilance.

Happytaytos · 12/03/2026 07:21

Genuinely shocked at the amount of medical attention you've needed for a fever and sore throat. None of that needed doctors, manage at home with paracetamol and rest.

Honeysuckle19 · 12/03/2026 07:25

Happytaytos · 12/03/2026 07:21

Genuinely shocked at the amount of medical attention you've needed for a fever and sore throat. None of that needed doctors, manage at home with paracetamol and rest.

He has a medical condition which causes sudden hypoglycaemia and elevated ketones. He has open access to the ward all year round because of it. The Dr sent him to the ward assessment unit - not me.

OP posts:
Happytaytos · 12/03/2026 07:27

You could have mentioned that. So he needs more attention than the average child. In which case, go back to the GP with the full history.

Honeysuckle19 · 12/03/2026 07:32

Happytaytos · 12/03/2026 07:27

You could have mentioned that. So he needs more attention than the average child. In which case, go back to the GP with the full history.

my worries are they aren't treating a possible bacterial infection. So I was asking advice in that respect. I am monitoring his ketones and blood sugar at home which are stable at the moment.

OP posts:
MotherofPufflings · 12/03/2026 07:37

Thing is, even if it is bacterial, that doesn't necessarily mean that antibiotics are needed. The immune system can fight bacterial infections too, antibiotics are only needed when this the immune system isn't able to do this. I hope he feels better soon.

user2848502016 · 12/03/2026 07:51

If it was bacterial tonsillitis/scarlet fever he would be continuing with the fever and getting worse. The fever settling down is a good sign. He might still have some pain in throat so keep him on soft foods and make sure he drinks plenty, and keep up the calpol.
If he’s still not better by tomorrow take him back to the GP.

Happytaytos · 12/03/2026 07:54

No one on the Internet can know if it's bacterial or not. If you're really concerned get a swab BUT as PPs say, the body can fight bacterial infection and it sounds like the fever going is a positive sign.

Cuppaandbiscuit · 12/03/2026 14:37

I always take a strep a swab to doctors with me from Tescos now. My son has a history of strep a tonsillitis though

Starryeyed2021 · 19/03/2026 20:11

@Honeysuckle19 hello OP
verh similar situation can I ask what happened has little one recovered and did they need antibiotic? We’re on day 5 of fever and they’re not giving us antibiotics

IrishSelkie · 19/03/2026 20:19

I think the GP should at least swab for strep A.

Honeysuckle19 · 20/03/2026 15:00

Starryeyed2021 · 19/03/2026 20:11

@Honeysuckle19 hello OP
verh similar situation can I ask what happened has little one recovered and did they need antibiotic? We’re on day 5 of fever and they’re not giving us antibiotics

Hi, yes we saw a paediatric nurse via me asking to see the GP again on the Thursday and she took one look at his throat and said needs antibiotics! 24 hours later after starting them he started to recover ! I hate the fight when you KNOW as a mum something isn't right. I also think they should swab as standard in this country - it's ridiculous that they don't!

OP posts:
IrishSelkie · 20/03/2026 20:44

Thank goodness! 😅 glad he is recovering.

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