sorry - i have googled

[jetcat32]

My 12 year old DD has had a peristent cough for 10 days now. She was diagnosed with swine flu, and given relenza, as she has kidney problems.

Had her to GP yesterday, as cough not going away at all, and she was coughing that much she was being sick. GP said no infection, which is good.

Today, she is still coughing, and when she coughs into the sink - little pink droplets appear - not blood red, more candy floss pink and a bit frothy. This has happened three times the past hour. It is not a huge amount, and she does have coughing fits without the droplets appearing.

I have googled a little, got too scared when i saw the results come up - someone please help. I am scared to call the GP again, as over the past couple of weeks i have had to consult that many i think they are well sick of me!

Speak to NHS direct.

08454647

Could possibly be that she has just burst some little blood vessels with all the effort of coughing. But it is time to go back to the Drs if she is coughing that much.
Poorr DD

Who cares what they think - call, call, call again. This is your wee girl's health - too important to be put at risk because of a worry about being seen as an over anxious mum!

Do it now.

Yep, probably burst blood vessels, but phone NHS Direct.
DOn't give a toss what they think at the other end.

ok, i panicked when i saw so many people had replied so quickly

am on phone to them now. will report back

You should phone NHS direct.

they are unable to take the call at the moment. Would it be totally wrong to hang on till tomorrow - she does seem fine in herself - temp is fine.

this may be a stupid question - she has had red jelly, strawberries, raspberries today. Could it be that??

was it definate from the lung cough pinkness or a bit of a retch from the coughing, brought a bit of stomach contents up, pinkness?

Why can't they take the call?

I have no idea what it might be, but I would want to have her looked at.

I would want to at least speak to someone about it. I wouldnt personally leave it till the morning.

EG - not really sure to be honest. SHe has been retching with her coughing all week, and bringing up normal phlem type stuff. It did smell rank however. I think she could poss of brought up some stomach contents - but i really dont know

nicky - the answering machine said they were excetionally busy, and after going through the options, it said they were unable to take the call and referred to the website. This happened last week as well!

Hi jetcat

Yes, if she is coughing enough that she is regurgitating slightly, then it could be that. But equally it could be small capillaries that have burst, or be something else.

I have to be honest and say that I think (if I can guess what your searches found) you would have no doubt about whether you needed medical help if it was any of the more serious conditions on your list. If she is generally well other than the cough, I think you can keep an eye on her and use your common sense.

If you feel that she really does need to see someone, your local GP surgery should have a recorded message with the number for your Out of Hours service, which is different to NHS direct. Phone them, and they will arrange for you to see someone tonight.

I'd lie a bit to get through to someone.

Seriously, half the people calling there atm have bleedin' head colds. You actually warrant a bit of advice!

Sod NHS direct. Phone your own out of hours GP for a chat. Aat least you'd be able to sleep tonight.

I have told her to cough into tissues - so if/when she does it again (she has gone to bed) i can 'catch' whatever it is. Will examine it in more detail (the things we parents have to do!)

We do have a walk in place i can take her to tomorrow - its really difficult at the moment as DD2(2) in bed fast asleep. I hate this - am so torn between panicking/acting like a responsible parent and getting her checked out straight away, and opting for the easier option of waiting till tom daytime when childcare isnt so much a problem!

an update - i checked on the nhs direct website - it said to make an appointment with GP. I thought i would see how she did today and then ring GP.

She did have some pink stuff this morning, which we managed to catch in a tissue. But, since then, she has still been retching/being sick after coughing, but just normal stuff now.

So, am thinking that it was probably the red fruit she had?? Thanks for all your thoughts, and if it does come back, i will contact GP straight away. She is back with GP at the end of next week anyway, so as long as it doesnt happen again, i feel more comfortable waiting till then for a chat with GP.

Wee soul.
Hope she is better soon.
Sounds horrible for her and for you too.

Oh Jetcat - how worrying for you

Hope she gets better soon! I don't bother with NHS Direct now - complete waste of time. Just call your OOH GP in future - they'll tell you if they think they ought to see your DD or if they can just help over the phone.