Ds has a cough!

[Goldilookingchains]

I really don't want to jump on the hysteria bandwagon, but ds has had a cough developing over the last 2 days, no temperature but is saying his throat hurts.

I will give 111 a call, however I've looked on the nhs website, just for a little guidance and it's just saying to stay home, which I understand as not to spread the virus but if this is such a serious illness why am I not allowed to see a medical professional when they're always telling to self diagnose?

I really do not feel comfortable with not knowing what exactly is wrong with my child and that they seem to be very blase about testing, what if its something else he has?

We have been isolating under government guidelines, other than a quick trip to asda for a few things we've been indoors since Tuesday, so will continue to do so

[PawPatrolMakesMeDrink]

Because it’s really infectious and is going to kill lots of people.
Because the NHS is already under immense pressure.
Because you don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong, you deal with it the same way you would with any other viral infection.

[MiniMum97]

Yes you need to self-isolate the whole family for 14 days.

The reason you shouldn't call 111 is they will just tell you to self isolate and they are overrun at the moment so please don't add to that.

If this is C19!, symptoms may be very mild. And that is even more likely in children. So there is no need for you to use our overstretched services unless the symptoms worsen/become serious and you start to get worried.

Our NGS is under huge pressure. Don't add to that unnecessarily.

[kittykat7210]

Paw patrol is right. You don’t need to know it’s coronavirus, treat it like any other virus, keep checking him over and making sure he’s alright, if he gets much much worse (breathing difficulties for example) then by all means seek medical advice (preferably 111 unless it’s immediately life threatening) keep fluids up, I’ve heard warmer fluids such as warm squash can help remove the mucus build up.

[Thepigeonsarecoming]

Please don’t bother 111, call your gp surgery if you must in the morning for advice. But really at the moment he just has a cough. Unless he has major health issues you are massively overreacting

[DressingGownofDoom]

What age is DS? If past a couple of years
You're bound to have heard 'it's a virus' many times. It doesn't matter what kind of virus at the moment - he'll be fine regardless and you have to stay home regardless.

[KaptenKrusty]

I’ve got a bad cough and a fever the last week now! I’ve not called 111 - the nhs advice is to just stay home and self treat

Your being dramatic and people like you wanting to call up and see doctors during this time are part of the problem

Just stay home and if he gets really bad then seek help

[PotholeParadise]

I can diagnose him for you. He has a virus. We don't know which virus.

To avoid passing it on to anyone else, you must isolate. From there, you proceed as with any other virus. Fluids, TLC and rest and so on, and you call a doctor if he develops complications.

[Goldilookingchains]

Sorry but is there really any need for anyone to be so rude?
I am not apart of any problem thank you very much! If I choose to call a medical professional then that is my right to do so.
I'm already following the guidelines by self isolating, of course I'm not about to run off to the nearest A&E for treatment for him, I'm aware he's not dying so no I'm not being over dramatic.
My point is that although a he has a mild cough, a sore throat for him often turns into tonsillitis which needs treatment and hospitalisation, doctors are just telling people to stay home without even considering it may be something else that needs more treatment.

I don't know what a sore throat looks like with covid-19, does it just hurt or does it swell up? Which is why despite me googling I need advice so I know what I'm dealing with.
Some of you really need to get off your high horses!

[AmputatedSoul]

FFS see how he is tomorrow and call your GP if you still think he needs to be seen.
Don't bother 111 with this.

[GreyishDays]

When he needs treatment, get treatment.

[FAQs]

You could go through the online 111 option but otherwise call the GP in the morning if they are still taking calls. My daughter seems to have grown out of to tonsillitis now thank goodness but she used to be really ill with it but would always have a high temperature, swollen glands, could visibly see it and an earache as well so I always have antiseptic throat spray (the white and green bottle) and pain killers in until she could be seen.

[Goldilookingchains]

I'm not stupid I'll know when to get him treatment ffs, as it Is a weekend if things changed then I would need to call 111 or an out of hours gp.

I never once said I'll be calling them to get help asap, I have been watching my child and his condition for 3 days.

[MiniMum97]

The guidance also says to NOT call 111. For very good reason. There are very long queues and some people can't get through at all. Please leave the health services alone unless you really need them.

[Goldilookingchains]

@FAQs he doesn't get it very often but when he does he gets it very bad and ends up in hospital on an IV to administer antibiotics.
I know what tonsillitis looks like, but as above what does covid-19 look like? I don't think he has it, we haven't been in contact with anyone since last weekend, however it would be good to know what it presents as other than just saying a sore throat.

[Goldilookingchains]

@MiniMum97 who are those "some people" what are they calling for?

[MiniMum97]

Well I’ve heard various people in social media say they needed to call 111 but couldn’t get through. One example is my friends son had a painful ear infection. She waited two hours on hold to get through in the morning. There were then various issues with no call backs and then no prescription arriving at he pharmacy. She tried to call back and couple of times as the prescription was not turning up (late afternoon by this point) but couldn’t get through again to let anyone know. The system is at breaking point. Please don’t use it unless you really need to.

[MiniMum97]

You can google what the symptoms are. See attached.

[FAQs]

@Goldilookingchains yep been there also. If it’s been 3 days and he hasn’t got worse than it might just be a big standard sore throat, I don’t think there is such a thing as a CV sore throat, you’ll just be told to self isolate. As I have been with a temp, razor blade sore throat and dry cough this week, it’s frustrating not to know but their are bigger priorities just now for the NHS.

[Goldilookingchains]

And that's my point @MiniMum97 I am the "some people" I have no intention on calling them until my son wakes up and I see how he is today, but because he has a sore throat which is a symptom they're just saying to isolate, but it could be something else.

I know all NHS resources are being stretched to the absolute limit.

[FAQs]

I went through the Online system and they very clearly ask for people not to call unless they are experiencing breathlessness or are unable to perform everyday tasks or appear confused which is very sensible advice.

[MiniMum97]

You are not the “some people”. They will just tell you to self isolate and see what happens. People have been asked NOT to call 111 in this circumstance. There is nothing they can do. Please do not call them unless his condition worsens and he needs medical assistance.

[Curlyshabtree]

My DS has had a cough for over a week. No temperature and fine in himself. We have been self isolating. Rest of family have no symptoms. I am concerned he has a chest infection and will need antibiotics. Not sure what I ought to do!

[Ffsnosexallowed]

Please don't call 111.

[Goldilookingchains]

Well yes I am the "some people" I know they will tell me to isolate which as stated I am doing.

[iismum]

You say you are isolating but also that you went to Asda. If anyone in the household has symptoms do not go shopping - that is not isolation! If you need supplies you need to find someone who can help you, but don’t leave the house.