Anyone up? Worried about DS.

[ShowOfHands]

DS had a positive test a week ago. His main symptom was a very high temperature. He bounced back and for 6 days he has been fine if a little more tired than usual but nothing of note.

On Thursday night, exactly a week after the fever, he complained of a sore throat and yesterday it bothered him more and more and I could see it was swollen and had red spots. Overnight, he's got hotter and hotter and now has a clear fever, says his throat is incredibly painful and his breathing is shallower and a little faster. He can't open his mouth wide enough for me to see his throat properly but the tiny amount of the top of his mouth I can see is still very red and spotty.

I've been googling and know that a week in is often when it gets worse if it's going to. I don't know if this is to be expected and we are fine to watch and wait. I don't know if it's a secondary infection. I just don't know what to think or do.

So I'm watching him and posting here while I keep an eye on his symptoms. He's 9 and otherwise in good health.

I'm just not sure what to do.

Lamdobby. Great advice. I'm sure op hadn't thought of doing that

pasanda. Just being nice....

@pasanda

Lamdobby. Great advice. I'm sure op hadn't thought of doing that

Goodness, what a mean spirited comment. The marries come out on Halloween 🎃 👻 🧨

@Iamdobby63 I though you were being LOVELY. Thank you.

He's had a little cry about half term being such a wash out and we've talked about a postponement.

He still can't keep the ABs down so I've phoned 111 and they've arranged a new prescription. Just need to ruin my friends' Saturday evening and beg them to pick it up. It's such a miserable feeling having to ask for help constantly.

He's still very sleepy and not himself but he's had an ice lolly and a pint of water over the last couple of hours and despite falling asleep in the bath earlier, has been a bit chirpier this evening.

Keep a close eye on him. If he deteriorates, you need to phone for urgent care. He could have multi imflammatory syndrome. It can happen days after infection. Usually results in a rash then swelling inside. I dont want to frighten you, just make you aware. Please look it up. Dont be fobbed off.

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mis-c-in-kids-covid-19/symptoms-causes/syc-20502550

I honestly don’t think your friends would mind and I’m sure you would do the same for them. Good that he’s been a little brighter this evening but sadly it sounds like you are not going to get much rest yourself again. I’m sorry you are going through this. Really hope you see more of an improvement soon. X

They've prescribed clarithromycin. Is it supposed to taste like utter arse? I licked the end of the syringe to prove to DS that it's not that bad and my mouth now tastes like the bottom of a septic tank. Bleurgh.

Hopefully this will help your ds feel better fast. I used to vomit with tonsilitis so not uncommon and could have been induced partly by the illness rather than just the tablets. My dd refuses to take tablets. You do have to request liquid for older children I think.

clartithromycin tastes awful! It is however a pretty effective one

It's a good AB, I usually have the massive pills though so not sure if taste (can't have 'cillins.)

Can you mix it with yogurt or ice cream or does it have to be empty stomach? Or ribena?

I'm sure your friend is happy to help; and you'd do the same for them.

@ShowOfHands
So sorry your ds is so ill...I hope he starts improving soon.
Clarithnomycin is the devil's piss, but hopefully will make a difference.
Message to some other posters - 'stop being arseholes!'

Showy I really hope your DS has a much better night and you manage to get some rest too.
Just to say if it’s tonsillitis, my dd and ds2 have it quite often. They both usually throw up on the first day, then nothing more. Appreciate that’s of little reassurance with the Covid worry as well, but sounds like you know exactly when to contact the GP / OOH if any further symptoms develop on that front. Everything crossed for the ABs to start working over night.

clarithromycin tastes AWFUL

How is the little man doing today?

Hope DS is a little better today?

Hope he’s better today x

Thank you for your lovely messages. I really appreciate you checking in.

We've just woken up. Apart from waking him for medicine, he's slept for 13 hours straight and not been sick again. He's very good and will take the clarithromycin despite it tasting so utterly disgusting. He's had 3 doses now and slept like a brick and he informs me that he "doesn't feel awful". He's considering breakfast even. I assume keeping the painkillers down is helping and maybe the antibiotics are kicking in already? Very quick if so.

I am so grateful (#blessed I think is the way the hun bots express it on FB) to our friends who have not only run around after us for 3 weeks now, they've also made gingerbread fudge and left it on the doorstep this morning (gingerbread is my favourite thing). What's the protocol? Do I owe them my firstborn (she eats 15 times a day and has Opinions)?

The thing with clarithromycin is is tastes awful but it works very well and fairly quickly. DS has learnt that the short term horror of the medicine is worth how much better he feels (and he has had to have IV antibiotics so knows that the pain could be worse)

A gift in return I think whatever they like and a thank you. And they must know already you would for them that is what friends do

@TheTeenageYears

I hope he turns a corner soon. We've always found that warm (not hot) and definitely not cold drinks are much more tolerable with sore throats.

I hope you don't mind me asking the timings in your situation @ShowOfHands, you said DD tested positive previously, DS returned to school for a few days and then he tested positive. Were there other cases at school in DS's bubble or do you think he got it from DD? I know there's no way of really knowing i'm just interested, it could demonstrate why self isolating for those in close contact with a positive case for the full 14 days is so important rather than testing part way through self isolation, getting a negative test and thinking the full 14 days isn't required.

I've just reread the thread and I apologise as I missed your questions @TheTeenageYears

You read the timings correctly. There were no cases in DS's school (he is patient zero and responsible for ruining the half term of his entire year bubble though given the increasingly frantic and frustrated emails and texts from the head, several families are ignoring her anyway), but we can't know if there were asymptomatic cases. Given that he only went back for a couple of days and developed symptoms, Test and Trace suggested that it was almost certainly DD who passed it on. I suppose if she remained contagious for 10 days which they said is possible and he incubated it for a while, it's entirely feasible that she passed it to him and he was well for long enough to mix with his peers.

Technically, he's out of isolation now and could theoretically go back to school tomorrow as he only has to do 10 days isolation. However, he's still unwell, we are still doing our 14 days and even if he could do it, there's no bubble for him to join so he has to do a further 4 days at home and go back on Friday.

@Quartz2208 we would absolutely do the same for them. They're the loveliest people and we've ruined their half term in myriad ways (our sons are best friends so their DS is self-isolating too). We are going to have to come up with something pretty special to thank them.

Showofhands your friendship is special enough - they did it for you because they care and help and you would do the same for them (I think that is what I am trying to say). Sometimes things are beyond gestures. They know you would do the same for them

I’m so pleased to read your update, such a relief for you. X

Honestly, I’m sure your friends know how much you appreciate them.

So pleased to hear that DS is improving @ShowOfHands