DS seems to have been ill forever, are this year's bugs particularly long lasting?

[WhatFreshHellIsThis]

DS has been ill since last Sunday - started with a high temp, headache, joint pains, all the classics. Took him to out of hours docs on Monday night and she said just a virus, paracetamol etc.

So by Thursday we thought he was better enough to go to nursery, but they called us at 4pm to say that he was really tired and miserable, so I went to get him. He stayed off on Friday and is still not too good - fine when he wakes up, but exhausted by lunchtime, won't eat much, and just seems completely washed out. He still says his head hurts and points to the top of it, and occasionally says his bottom hurts too, but I can't see anything wrong with his bottom.

Anyone else having this? I'm a bit stressed as I've been in my new job 5 weeks and am having to take lots of time off to look after him (not that I begrudge his this, but it's a bit soon in the job to be disappearing constantly), plus DP's business is having trouble so it's tricky for him to take time off. Not sure doc will be able to do much if it's a virus, so am a bit stumped.

Anyone got any encouraging thoughts or advice?

bumpety snotty bump

I not sure, but dd1 has taken 10 days to get rid of a cold.

I've just get her some multi-Vit to try to boast her immune system.

thanks lizziemun - that's not a bad idea, i might get him a multivit this pm and see if he'll take it.

I just keep thinking he's better and then the wailing starts again

anyone else's DCs having the same?

yup. 2 yr old has been ill since ?Sept. It seems to take them so long to get over things, and they pick up something else before they're over the first. Bug followed by cold by another bug and then another cold.

But my mum heard Dr Rosemary on TV ( this must be good!) saying that colds take a lot out of us, it takes a long time to get better and that we feel really bad for longer than we all expect.

So Whatfresh, maybe lower your expectations! Agree with lizziemum and I would also up the fruit and veg as much as I could.

I don't think thats all that long to get over some of this season's lovely bugs...dd1 (5) has had same thing, high temps and cough, since last Sunday evening: missed whole week of school, temp finally down on Saturday, but totall washed out and still achey/headachey on/off and very tearful. I'm not sending her to school tomorrow in this state, no point - and the GP said these flu bugs can last a good ten days, unfortunately, so your ds sounds pretty normal.

Hope he's better soon, poor lad, and can imagine how stressful it is for you juggling ill LO and new job!

Ds was off school on 26th, 27th and 28th November, with temp, snotty nose and cough.

He went back this week and by Friday his temp was back with avengance and he is 10 times worse than before. Have just dosed him up with calpol again and he is fast asleep on the sofa.

He also now has something going on on his scalp so I have to try and get an appointment for him tommorow.

Can anyone reccomend a good multi vit for kids ?

Sounds like we're not alone then! The thing is, he is getting better in that he's better than he was - it just seems to be taking a looooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnngggg time and it's very stressful with new job and being pg so lots to pack in at new job before March, when I waltz off on mat leave

poor DS, I know he just needs to lie on the sofa until he's better, it's just really hard.

he's eating lots of fruit - particularly tangerines, and does have a good breakfast, so I'm not worried about his diet or him starving, just could really do with life being back to normal

the scalp thing is interesting IllegallyBrunette - DS has had a patch of cradle cap since he was tiny (he's 2.5 now) and the bit he says hurts is exactly where the cradle cap is, and he's started picking it which he's never done before. I wonder if that's something to do with it?

Might be worth checking the patch on his scalp hasn't or doesn't spread then.

Ds is 6 and I noticed a tiny scab on his head on Monday. This scab is now bigger and I have found another further forward on his scalp.

I don't know if this is related to his cold in anyway, but the scabs are weepy so I am going to take him to the docs tommorow anyway so can ask then.

How's your DS, IllegallyBrunette?

DS is a lot better, went back to nursery today, but still tired and incredibly contrary about everthing

He has turned into the boy who says No to everything. It's rather wearing.

My ds been ill with the bug since september I came across Minadex Tonic its a vitamin which builds up children fast after illnesses, loss of appetite or when they are run down started 2 days ago looks like it working why dont you give a go as well

my dd seems to have picked up a nasty little virus this last week. She had a fever for 4 days which has finally gone only to be replaced by loose nappies and complete lethargy. She shows no sign of getting better and I really need to get back to work so I can sympathise.

Ds is a little better thanks. He still has the cough but his temp has gone right down.

We are having a major battle getting him to have his ab's though.

I think I have it now though, as i am freezing cold and ache all over.

My DS is ill at the moment but not so bad that he can't go to school.

Last year, when he was just turned 4, he was ill from November to January. He coughed solidly for about 8 weeks and finally got it out of his sytem by puking for 12 hours.

Oh, the joys.

So, to answer the OP, I don't think this years bugs are particularly long lasting. The one thing no one warned me about re. parenting is just how ill children get, and for how long, and how many days they have to have off school/nursery.

mumtoone that sounds just like DS - loose nappies and complete and utter exhaustion. He's better enough to go to nursery, but it's definitely taking a while to get back to his normal self, poor little mite.

Illegally - sorry to hear you might be coming down with it, lots of Vit C and echinacea might ward it off a bit? Glad your DS is a bit better though.

eekareindeer - I know! It's just been one bug after another, and each one lasts ages!

My DD has been to walk in clinic 4 times since starting school in September with various coughs, colds, chest infactions etc.
She has been ill this time since Thurs- Not eating, hacking cough, temperature, runny nose, sore throat and very lethargic.
It certainly feels that this bug is long lasting as I too am going to have to ask for more time off work tomorrow.
Lets hope they will all be well for santa coming!!!

Had umpteen lasting viruses here, one on top of the other, Dr advised me that signs of getting better then getting worse again is a virus back to back, with the immune system being low. Did say though if it haddnt shown signs of getting better in 7days to go back.

Sorry thats probably not much help, neither is the word virus to worried mothers with sick kids IMO