Need a little handhold :-(

[AliTheMinx]

I think we have finally succumbed to Covid ;-( DS (10), usually very fit, healthy and hardly ever sick, developed a cough about 2 days ago and looked off colour, so we've kept him at home and isolated. During the night, he has deteriorated and developed a fever and quite erratic breathing. He is pale, shivering and has just been sick. I am an emetophobe, so the last part has been very difficult for me. I've tried to stay outwardly calm, but inside I feel so anxious. I've popped him in bed with me (closest place to ensuite should he need to be sick again), given him water and propped him up, but am now wide awake watching him like a hawk. Whilst sad about Covid, I always thought we'd get it at some point, but I wasn't prepared for the sickness as well. I know in the grand scheme of things, this is all very minor, but just wanted to write as I feel so anxious about the sickness

I feel your pain OP. My DS 11 was at his dads for the weekend and tested positive for covid whilst there, so has had to stay at his dads to isolate…so I won’t see him for Christmas Day or Boxing Day 😢
It’s beyond horrible not being with him when he’s poorly but the 1st and 2nd day were definitely the worst for him…he’s turned a corner now and although bored out of his mind, he’s feeling much better.
I hope your DS starts feeling better soon and the sickness stops. 💐

Why don’t you get a bowl too, with some water in in case he can’t make it to the en-suite in time and an old towel or a bag and some kitchen roll. Hope he feels better soon

Have you done a test? It could be covid or stomach bug or flu. Keep an eye on temp, breathing etc any concerns go to a&e. How about you what helps the anxiety. I find guided meditation really calming or tapping (emotional freedom technique) also helps. Maybe some exercise or tv/books to take your mind off things. I guess just go easy on your self , is there anyone who can help with your child if it is stomach bug?

Don’t hesitate to ring 111 if his breathing is erratic. Also look out for colour changes and any lack of responsiveness.
I hope he turns the corner soon.

Sickness seems to be one of dominant symptoms now - my 6 year old nephew had exactly the symptoms described (confirmed Covid). He was only sick a couple of times and was much better after a few days. No one else in their household got it, so maybe you’ll be lucky!

@Laila747

I feel your pain OP. My DS 11 was at his dads for the weekend and tested positive for covid whilst there, so has had to stay at his dads to isolate…so I won’t see him for Christmas Day or Boxing Day 😢 It’s beyond horrible not being with him when he’s poorly but the 1st and 2nd day were definitely the worst for him…he’s turned a corner now and although bored out of his mind, he’s feeling much better. I hope your DS starts feeling better soon and the sickness stops. 💐

Oh no! This is so sad. I am so very sorry to hear about your DS and how much it has affected your Christmas plans. That must be so difficult. My heart really goes out to you all. Am so glad he has turned a corner and hope you have a wonderful celebration when you are reunited xxx

P.S. DS has just been sick again - eeeugh!

@Laila747 the rules have just changed -

BBC News - Covid: Self-isolation cut from 10 days to seven with negative test
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59749447

Hopefully that means you'll be able to see your boy sooner.

@AliTheMinx hope your DS is okay.

Thank you all so much for your kindness. It is really helping. Have got a bowl and a towel ready and am definitely keeping an eye on his condition - especially his breathing. Am hoping he can sleep for a while and have a LFT ready to do when he gets up. He was just sick again. Thankfully, it's not too much each time and doesn't seem to have that awful sick smell, which makes me think (hope) it isn't an actual sickness bug. DH is here, although has his Covid booster today, so will be out this afternoon. My LFT is clear, and I had a negative PCR yesterday after being identified as a close contact of a positive case. Am hoping I haven't passed it on to DS, but no point worrying about that now. Thank you again for all being so lovely. Am trying to regulate my breathing and stay as calm as possible, although it's quite tricky...

OP your DS needs a PCR. No point is doing a LFT if he is symptomatic

So he’s not done a test yet? Is he actually vomiting or just coughing up phlegm? This is exactly what happens to me when I get bronchitis (which I get most winters due to a susceptibility) and the throwing up is phlegm and mucous.

@chopc

OP your DS needs a PCR. No point is doing a LFT if he is symptomatic

Yes. You're right, although the thought of putting him in the car and swabbing his tonsils knowing he's been sick today is a whole new level of anxiety!! But I will get it sorted. Probably better to do that than a postal PCR with Christmas so close...

@TheMilkyWeigh

So he’s not done a test yet? Is he actually vomiting or just coughing up phlegm? This is exactly what happens to me when I get bronchitis (which I get most winters due to a susceptibility) and the throwing up is phlegm and mucous.

I've been LFTing him every day and he's been negative so far. He's asleep at the mo, so haven't tested him today yet. His cough worsened yesterday, so it's possible that it could be phlegm.

@AliTheMinx I'm sorry. It sounds like such a stressful situation.
FYI- you don't need to swab tonsils any more; it's just a nasal swab for a PCR or a lateral flow. I hope that helps you to feel a bit less anxious about it.

I hope your son makes a speedy recovery.

Hopefully he’s much better soon. He can’t keep being sick as he won’t have anything left so that’ll end soon hopefully (I’m an emetophobe so I understand).

Thank you so much. I hadn't realised the PCR tests were nostrils only, so that's extremely helpful xx

i have emetophobia i know exactly how you feel, you are doing great! try and watch some tv or something to distract yourself. could your husband not take him to get a pcr? i would take a bucket lined with a bag and put kitchen roll in the bottom of the bag just in case.

Poor ds, I hope he feels better soon and it's not too stressful to you. It doesn't sound like covid to me, maybe a sickness bug? I would keep an eye on the erratic breathing. As he's hardly up to leaving the house I wouldn't stress about doing a pcr straight away, I would order a home one so you don't have to worry about moving him into a car.

@lurker69

i have emetophobia i know exactly how you feel, you are doing great! try and watch some tv or something to distract yourself. could your husband not take him to get a pcr? i would take a bucket lined with a bag and put kitchen roll in the bottom of the bag just in case.

Thank you SO much. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your reply xx

I'm sorry to say our PCRs yesterday were both throat and nose. Hope your DS feels better soon. Try not to panic. Remember in the main kids tend to bounce back pretty quickly, fingers crossed.