At what point would you worry about a 12 year old?

[VeronicaVanHoopen]

My daughter is on day 17 since onset of symptoms. She is still lying in bed all day with a terrible headache. She's had one good day in those 17 days. She is super-fit and energetic normally. She hates being ill and is definitely not putting it on.

My thoughts are that this is a bad virus and so this is to be expected and just let her get over it. But is there a point at which I should become worried and seek advice do you think?!

I personally would seek advice now. I hope she starts to recover soon.

How bad is she? Is she sleeping a lot more than is usual for her during illness? Lethargic? Is she eating? Drinking?

Did she show any signs of depression pre-infection?

GP first of all.

17 days seems a long time for significant symptoms in a relatively young patient.

She's very very lethargic but not actually sleeping a huge amount more. She's eating and drinking but definitely lost weight - which she didn't need to lose. Zero signs of depression at any time.

I'll give the GP a ring though - you're all right that it is probably time to have her checked!

Definitely be seeking advice

Is she sensitive to light? The headache and lethargy mean one concern is meningitis, which can follow many types of viral infections. A 15 year old, very sporty, friend of my daughter's is still recovering from covid-19 a year on from initial infection. She's getting better, but slowly - can't walk more than a few steps unsupported and was playing football five times per week the week before she became ill. Its not always harmless to healthy children and teens and definitely should be checked out as she's still ill after over two weeks.

I know an 11 y/o lad who's been like this for 4 weeks now post covid - sleeping 16+ hours a day and rarely getting out of bed. Previously fit and healthy. GP has just signed him off school for another 2 weeks, but doesn't sound they're doing anything proactive to aid his recovery.

His parents have both had covid whilst he's been ill (caught it off him most likely), and both near enough fully recovered (one of them wasn't vaccinated).

I would definitely speak to the GP.

My DD, 11 at the time, had something similar in the first wave. We didn’t have a Covid test (they were not advised at the time) but she had a high temperature (39/40C), constant cough and pain when she was breathing. She was drinking but not eating that much.

I spoke to a paediatrician over the phone who advised that if her lips turned blue or if you could see her struggling for breath (something with the abdomen) we should take her to hospital.

I think it is a good idea to speak to a GP and confirm that it is Covid only and what you should be doing going forward.

Gp. 17 days is too long.

Thanks all. GP calling me back later this afternoon. Will let you know if they dismiss it or tell me anything useful!

I hope the GP is useful. I'd want her checked over - if she's 17 days post infection, she shouldn't be contagious anymore, so don't let them fob you off

I would give a call to GP or 111 and see what they say. I don't know if they will be able to do anything but best to check. I had it for 6 weeks and in some people it does just seem to go on and on but can cause secondary issues so best to check. I was advised to drink hot lemon drinks, zinc, vit D high dose, paracetomol as needed and antibiotics prescribed first time I called 111 so they may do something like that. When I worsened again they did bloods, chest x ray, drip but depends on symptoms what they do. They may do checks due to headache. Make sure she is drinking enough as that can cause headaches.

If she is losing weight despite eating and drinking properly, I think you should ask for her to have a fingerprick blood glucose test for type one diabetes. Being lethargic and having a headache would also be symptoms of high blood glucose and possibly ketones.

How did the consult go?

That really doesn't sound right and I agree post viral, diabetes or glandular fever should be ruled out as a minimum.

Thanks everyone. Doctor was actually very helpful and we had a proper conversation. They are seeing quite a few (anecdotally) 28 day type cases in tweens and teens so we have agreed that we are going to give her another week and then have another consult. In fact, in the meantime this afternoon, DD rallied a bit and has seemed much better and says it feels like a weight has lifted off of her head. So, hopefully she’s turned a corner!

The GP was excellent though - she didn’t rush the call at all and she talked about everything that had gone on and whether we wanted the community COVID service to come in (although that’s about breathing management predominantly). She really wasn't dismissive at all which I was slightly expecting tbh so I’m happy for now but will keep a close eye on her. Thanks for all the support.