4mo baby with swollen head/neck

[Swaliswan]

DD2 has not been well for over a week. She's been snuffly, hoarse and grumpy/tired. This morning she has a swollen area at the top of her neck/base of her head on both sides of her head. I'm not sure whether to bother the doctor.

Any ideas?

bother the doctor ...

she is only 4 months old

Definitely the doctor. It could be swollen glands - might be a sign of tonsillitis. Does she have a temperature at all?

Definitely bother the doctor - it's probably nothing serious, but at 4 months, babies' health can deteriorate very quickly so doctors like to see them asap. They'll probably fit her in today if you call.

Hope it's nothing to worry about

No temp, a bit tired and off her food but nothing worrying.

Doctor will see her at 5pm.

Well, the doctor said that it felt like fluid on DD2's head/neck rather than glands so we're back on monday for another check...

aw - hope she is ok

She now has a swollen face in front of her ears too Am waiting for 2pm when GP surgery re-opens. I wonder if she has mumps?

Swali let us know how that goes.

ConcernedTiggaxx

She also has a temperature now and is struggling to feed.

Hope she is ok. CAn you take her to urgent care?

Swali, sounds worrying, but I'm sure it'll turn out to be nothing too serious, but as long as you can get seen soon, and hopefully the same doc as you saw yesterday. Poor little lamb. If no joy at docs, I'd consider going to the hospital, especially now she has a temp.

She needs to be seen. Is she very lethargic? If so I would definately go straight to A&E.

pop along to the A and E

If your child is salivating a lot, it sounds like mumps to me. My son had it - huge swelling behind just one ear (but it's typically both) one day, that went onto his face the next. He was off his food, but dribbling terribly. Mumps affects the saliva glands. His clothes were saturated. Not a real problem in children so small - obviously side effects the older the person is when they get it. Definitely get it checked again. My GP didn't want to commit himself at all. It was only when I demanded a second opinion, that we got referred to a paediatrician and it was diagnosed. I no longer take my son to that original GP.

She's not lethargic/floppy as such, just needing lots of cuddles and needs to nap quite a bit. I'm really poorly too - very dizzy/headachey/tummy ache/can't stand up well.

She is dribbly for her but not obviously teething which was confusing me a bit. Maybe it is mumps then?

Swali can you get your dh to come home and look after both of you?

He's already here.

Oh good. I do hope you and dd will soon feel better!

I thought it sounded like mumps too.

Dd had verry swollen glands a couple of months ago. Gp said not mumps though as the swelling would have been more in her cheeks next to her ears which sounds as you describe.

(Turned out dd had scarlet fever. A rash appeared the next day. So we had 2 emergency gp appt 2 days in a row!)

Mumps is a notifiable disease so I got an appointment easily with gp when I mentioned that I thought that's what is was.

I'd try to be seen somewhere today to set your mind at rest. Perfectly reasonable to ask to be seen again as she is so young and her symptoms have changed and worsened.

Good luck. Hope she is ok.

GP said to come back if she got worse/changed so I know that she will see DD2. Not worried about getting GP to see her, just worried about how DD2 is feeling.

Has she had any painkillers?

Calpol, can have more when she wakes up.