Sick child, hand hold and advice please

[Gingenius]

Hi All,
My DS (10months) has had a fever for the last two days. He’s generally a really healthy chap and this is the first time he’s really been ill. I think under normal circumstances I’d be ok and confident looking after him but with all the awful stuff about Coronavirus I’ve got myself in a bit of a pickle over it. Am looking for advice/ reassurance he’s going to be ok and when people think they’d need a 111 (don’t want to unnecessarily call them at the moment)..
So here’s the context
Temp fluctuating between 38.5 and 39.5 since yesterday.
Sleepy, clingy and lethargic - perks up for half an hour or so after paracetamol
Eating and drinking less but can be persuaded
No signs of dehydration
No one else in the family seems to have symptoms (yet)
Down to half a bottle of calpol and self isolating (going to have to get a neighbour to go and hunt some down for us soon)

Would you call 111? At what point would you call GP/ 111? Also if I can’t get calpol cod of the stockpilers do you think GP would give us some on prescription?

TIA

Oh forgot to add: no cough and breathing appears to be ok

I wouldn’t call 111 unless his temperature wouldn’t come down and he was worryingly I well it eg unrousable

Check for mottled skin, and cold hands / feet

Thanks for the responses
@Fudgewhizz I’ve been checking that. His feet were cold
And mottled earlier but think it’s cos he had no socks on and DD had all the doors open playing outside: They’re ok now he’s got a baby grow on so I figure that’s ok 😬

Is he ‘sleepy and lethargic’ a lot of the time over last 2 days? Or does he have bouts of playing/ behaving normally? That would be my only concern really but otherwise sounds manageable at home. I think if you feel you need help tonight try 111 but if not I’d try GP tomorrow to discuss by phone and see what they think.

Does he have a rash? He’s under a year old so I would call GP for advice if fever not gone by the morning.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

I’m suggesting GP rather than 111 because children really aren’t getting particularly sick with the virus (info from my immunodeficient child’s consultant, who has been talking directly with Italian counter parts).

If 111 is more appropriate the GP receptionist will tell you.

Try not to worry, the under 10s really are the least affected age group. His fever is almost definitely a normal childhood thing. If anything happens in the night that worries you call out of hours, but I’m saying that based on ordinary caution with a baby.

This will be ok.

Report back when you can.

It sounds like it could be a normal bug OP. I always follow the NHS guidelines online. My DD has had two high temperatures in the last few months and the doctors have always told me: 1. If medicine does not bring down the fever. 2. If they are not drinking fluids/having wet nappies (don't worry so much about food when they're ill) 3. Any rash, mottled skin, unable to rouse or sever change in personality... then head to the GP.

If your LO is drinking and his fever is coming down then his bodu will probably fight it off.

I've heard the wait time for 111 is hours at the moment. Of course you know baby best though. If he's really not himself then you should call.

Ok first of all, his temp is no problem if he's comfortable with it. Don't give him Calpol if he's not got another symptom which needs the painkiller, unless his temp is climbing quickly in which case then administer Calpol

If he is comfortable and breathing fine and no rash, is responsive, drinking water regularly then just let him take it easy and keep checking on him through the night (set an alarm for you)

Ring 111 if worsens and you're concerned or if his breathing is alarming or he has a febrile convulsion or can't stop coughing then ring 999

I'm not in a position to give you medical advice, but will give you a hand hold xx hope your DC better soon

Is he stayed crawling op?
When my kids were this age (and up until at least 2!) they got loads of bugs/ virally things I think for to being on the floor/ putting things in their months.
I can see why you’d be worried though given the current situation with covid.
Can you get calpol from the pharmacy ? Ours does prescription calpol if you have registered your LO with them.
I’d agree with other that if temp going up or other concerning symptoms I’d definitely phone 111.

DD got her first illness around that age. The chances are it is a normal childhood infection (could be bacterial or viral). Ear/throat infection for instance extremely common.
DD (5) had a bacterial infection two weeks ago actually. So did two of her classmates. Quite unpleasant and she was very tired but got ABs and fine now.
Good old bacterial infections are still out and about doing their usual business plus all the other non covid viruses.
As your DS is young and possibly has a bacterial infection and this is day three of the temperature I would try to see a doctor tomor.
Eating and drinking less is normal - in fact eating is somewhat superfluous at this point but drinking is quite important.
Is he urinating?
Lethargic is normal but floppy or unresponsive would not be normal
Just my opinion not medical

Lethargic is ok and is often due to the illness, it's if he's not having alert periods between resting

If he's not playing at all, very unlike his normal self, I'd give a call.

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your support. Everyone seems to be saying what I’ve been thinking. Under normal circumstances I think I’d be trying to get him seen by dr tomorrow if not cleared up In case he needs antibiotics (DD had something similar at this age that needed antibiotics). I think I’m just a getting panicky because of the complication of self isolating being thrown into the mix and worrying about not being able to get through to dr or 111.
I’ll ring GP tomorrow 🤞🏻 I can get through!

Not sure if this is helpful OP but it helped me (prior to COVID worries obvs) www.whenshouldiworry.com/view-booklet.php

Tepid bathing for temperature check before and after. It is quite high and if you are worried ring as he is an infant. I would ring if he has high temperature and becomes drowsy and difficult to rouse. Check body for neck pain, not liking bright lights and skin for rash.

If he still has it tomorrow I would ask to speak to GP failing that a nurse. They probably would give a prescription for Calpol etc. Especially under the circumstances. Ask if they don’t offer. If you are tec savvy face time the GP my friend told her son to do this with very poorly 14 month old when GP initially refused to se him.

Ask for ring back if receptionist is tricky.

Ok we're finally out the other side just. My ds just turned 4. Started with a cold. Last Thursday a temperature..... a whole week later and its finally gone down. Hes full of cold today and conjunctivitis. Rang 111. They cant help so dont bother. My gp has been great- video called twice to see him- they're treating it as coronavirus . Definitely viral. Never been so I'll.
Dr said if temp not over 40 for a sustained time dont worry too much. Paracetamol didnt make any difference to fever, my ds didnt eat for 4 days- not a crumb. Hes always been drinking thankfully. In the end what turned the tide was ibuprofen-I didnt want to give it as per advice I've heard- advice has now altered a little and after 5 days of a sleepy , crying, 39 degree fever we gave it. He ate. He was ok for a few hours. We dropped the paracetamol on Dr. Advice and gave only ibuprofen which brought temp down. Scariest week of my life..... hes on the mend. Good luck. Dont go to hospital unless last resort.... xxx

My son always responds better to ibruprofen rather than calpol. Maybe try alternating? Keep his fluids up and try pouch food if he doesn't want to eat. My son had a bad viral infection about this age. If you can't control the temp at home then call 111

That sounds scary @piixxiiee!
Glad to hear he’s on the mend now

Hi op-
I took my son to A&E last week for a prolonged fever (7 days)
He was admitted for observation for one night but only due to recent medical history of infections and an ESBL colonisation (basically bacteria that's resistant to antibiotics) which they think was due to the long hospital stay in January.

Anyway I spoke to gp first (on day 6) who told me to speak to children's hospital as she wouldn't be able to treat an ESBL infection anyway. Called hospital asked us to come in.

He had bloods taken, viral swabs and a covid19 test. All negative but his fever subsided the following day.

But basically they advised that they wouldn't worry about a fever until it's been going on longer than 5/6 days normally as very likely it's a virus and will pass on it's own. And only admitted him due to his history.

Conversely- when my son was very ill in January, I just knew it. It wasn't a normal virus, there was something so different about his fevers (he was shaking and his skin went mottled and blue) and we were sent away from A&E with 'it's probably a virus' and no tests done. He then spent a whole month in hospital and I dread to think what would have happened if I had listened and waited another 4 days for to take him back.

Don't let the current issues change the way you think and what you know. He's eating ok and drinking and it's only been 2 days. Likely he is going to be fine and it's just a little bug x

@heyjoeyitsestelle
I’m sorry you had such a tough time of it. And yes you’re totally right about current issues clouding my knowledge. He’s my second and DD had us plenty of bugs with fevers this feels very similar and usually I’d be ok about it. Thanks for the perspective!

@Gingenius
It's so hard right now isn't it. Just trust your instincts you know your baby.

I've seen a post shared a few times today- trying to scare parents into thinking if their child gets the virus then they can't be with them and they'll be alone and it's really upset me. I know it's not true but people believe what they read, as if parents aren't scared enough anyway.

Hope your little one feels better ASAP. Don't hesitate to get medical attention if you think he needs it x x

Morning! How is he doing today? Hope you both had a good night’s sleep.