9yr old really unwell

[Lndnmummy]

My 9 year old has a sky high temperature and is really unwell. We are all positive but my husband and I have relatively mild symptoms. Worried about DS1. Doing lots of rest, fluids and calpol. Any other tips?

Thanks everyone for being so kind, I am blubbing!

I don’t have any more advice but just wanted to lend a virtual handhold! Ds was really ill with it back in the first wave and I remember the stress and worry so much. The advice about fluids has been really good, I hope it helps him feel better.

When he starts feeling better, make sure he takes it really easy and doesnt try to do too much and relapse.

It might be a good idea to also keep an eye out for/be aware of PIMS/MISC symptoms. I’m sure he won’t have that, but it might help to know what to look out for, so you can relax a bit when that doesn’t show up!

I’ll have a look for a link

PIMS info here:

www.longcovidkids.org/what-is-pims

Hope your ds feels better really really soon!

Hope your son feels better soon, horrible virus, when my fever was bad it was push fluids, paracetamol, strip off the bed covers & open the windows for periods of time to let in fresh air. Trust your instincts if need more support from 111 Gp etc.

Also forgot to say I took dialoryte for rehydration due to upset tummy there are other brands that may be more pallatable.

My sons both has one night like that. Vomiting, headache, temp and coughing. Ice pops and calpol got us through it. I was anxious as hell as my youngest is asthmatic too.

My 10 yr old had it and cold flat full sugar Coca-Cola really helped him

For dehydration, try a little and often approach, using a Calpol syringe if necessary - 5 ml of water or Dioralyte every 5 mins.

You should try and make sure they get up and walk around 5 mins every hour daytime if possible. It feels horrible to make them but the walking around will help shift whatever is on their lungs and chest.

Thank you everyone for being so kind. Feelings so anxious. Sending love to everyone in the same boat.

We used the syringe dispenser from some Calpol to give tiny amounts of a sports rehydration drink. They contain potassium and magnesium etc so you can rehydrate with fewer sips.

@Lndnmummy

Thank you so much you lovely lot. He is really teary and emotional. Vomitting and head ache. I think he is very anxious. My dh has gone to lie down with him in a dark room to try and sooth him. He can't tolerate ibuprohen, it comes straight back up. He is dehydrated for sure, I'm working on it. I've ordered the o2 monitor. Spoke to 111 they said to "keep an eye".Thank you so much all.

Poor little sausage. Hope he’s soon feeling better 💐

@Lndnmummy

Thank you so much you lovely lot. He is really teary and emotional. Vomitting and head ache. I think he is very anxious. My dh has gone to lie down with him in a dark room to try and sooth him. He can't tolerate ibuprohen, it comes straight back up. He is dehydrated for sure, I'm working on it. I've ordered the o2 monitor. Spoke to 111 they said to "keep an eye".Thank you so much all.

Oh love his heart. Your poor baby.

I really hope that he is feeling better 💙

Ugh so sorry your son is so poorly! And it sounds like you have all been through the mill, hope everyone is on the mend soon

This may not be at all relevant but just in case - I wanted to say that if the calpol doesn't seem to be bringing the fever down, and your son is unusually tall/heavy or short/slim, the dosage of calpol on the box may be off, especially if you're not using the 6+ calpol - my 8 year old is heavy for his age at 148cm tall with a size 6 shoe, and we were advised to weigh him and use a calculator to work out his dosage as it seemed to be doing nothing for him. We used this one: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/tools/p/paracetamol-dose-calculator/

It turned out we were giving him half of what he needed, as we were still using infant calpol and he was unusually heavy for his age. Once we got the dose right, his fever broke.

Sorry to hear you're feeling so anxious.

Stick here and we can't do much but we can talk to you and give you some communication outside of the home where it's happening.

When I feel sick I find a cold flannel on the top of my back between my shoulder blades helps and lying on my front.

Your poor little boy. I hugely empathise - we have all just had COVID and the fear when your child is unwell is just awful, especially when you read that most children sail through it.

Are you managing to get fluids in him? Is his temperature coming down a bit in response to pain killers?

One thing that stood out was that you said your DS is in a dark room. When you called 111, did they ask about difficulty looking at lights? Can he comfortably put his chin on his chest without his neck hurting?

Not wanting to worry you at all - these are just the checks I did with my own 11 year old when he had high fever and nausea with COVID a few days ago.

I’m really sorry you’re going through this, it’s awful isn’t it?

I hope you have a more restful night @Lndnmummy and your DS starts to recover. If you make the Ribena ice lollies make them with a very dilute solution .

Oh the poor lamb. How is he tonight?

If you can get someone to drop you off some dioralyte that might help? You can also make some up to the right amount and then add it to juice, squash etc. You can also make the lollies from this.

I second the idea about using a calpol syringe and giving 5ml of fluid every 5-15 minutes. I remember having to do this with my DS when he was literally pushing drinks away.

Hand hold for tonight

When DD was sent to A&E with dehydration after illness they gave us a fluid challenge chart and got us to give her fluids in syringe and record it. The little and often of whatever they will drink and keep down is perfect. A&E recommended diluted apple juice for when we got home.

In children high temp can cause vomiting too so make sure the room is well ventilated and he’s in light clothing (sorry- obvious I know).

Calpol is usually most effective about an hour after the dose so focus on getting fluids into him at that stage.

Don’t be worried about phoning 111 back or taking him to A&E. better to be safe.

@Lndnmummy

Thank you so much you lovely lot. He is really teary and emotional. Vomitting and head ache. I think he is very anxious. My dh has gone to lie down with him in a dark room to try and sooth him. He can't tolerate ibuprohen, it comes straight back up. He is dehydrated for sure, I'm working on it. I've ordered the o2 monitor. Spoke to 111 they said to "keep an eye".Thank you so much all.

just a reminder ,for people who have black or brown skin tones, oximeters can give inaccurate readings (over estimation of blood oxygen levels) so don't rely solely on them if other signs are causing you concern .(if worried about low oxygen levels you can check eye conjunctiva,mouth,nail beds,palms,soles of feet for signs of pallor), hope your little one feels better asap.

@s1h2o3na thank you, thank you, thank you!! Thank you!!

In hospitals they do the fluid challenge when a child is dehydrated. 10% of their body weight in kg every ten minutes. If a child is 17kg its 17mls fluid every 10 minutes.

Really hope you're all well soon.

Thank you so much everyone for your time, advice and kindness. It is really soothing to read. Thank you so much. I am so grateful for the advice, all of it. The paracetamol dose to weight I'd completely forgotten about and he is indeed a tall and stocky child. I'll get onto that straight away. Cant believe I'd forgotten.

Not for covid but we've used the calpol syringe and ice lollies before - they suggested it at A&E when DD had a temp we couldn't bring down with calpol. Hope you're all feeling better soon.

Ffs I haven't given him anywhere near enough calpol. Than you so much everyone .