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Original poster

Question about this influenza bug and coughing

42 replies

IlanaK · 09/02/2006 11:29

Ds1 has had this bug since SUnday. Mostly just totally lethargic and sleeping, plus loss of appetite and diarhea. Today it has developed itto the most god aweful cough I have ever heard. He also has asthma so I have put him back on his ventolin inhaler, but it has not helped.

So, is this just part of this bug and we wait it out, or do I need the doctors. I have not bothered to take him with this bug as it seemed pointless, but I don't want him getting bronchitis or something without me realising.

OP posts:
chapsmum · 09/02/2006 11:39

what does his cough sound lind, is it like a seal bark,or is it wet/dry sorry if tmi

WigWamBam · 09/02/2006 11:52

My dd's school put out a note about this fluey virus a couple of weeks ago, and it does list a bad cough as one of the symptoms. She has since had it, and had a really nasty cough with it - even now that she's feeling better the cough still remains. So yes, it might be just the bug, particularly if his reliever isn't helping him.

That said, if you're concerned about it with regard to his asthma, go and see the GP to put your mind at rest.

GDG · 09/02/2006 11:57

Ds1 has something similar but he's had no sickness or diarrhoea. Just a horrible cough, temperature and lethargy.

He's been like this for over a week now so I took him to the GP this morning - she checked him over thoroughly and he has no infection so we just have to let him rest and make sure he takes fluids. She said not to worry about not eating.

However, if your ds has asthma perhaps you need to be a bit more cautious about the cough? Might be worth a visit to GP to just to make sure there is no infection - better safe than sorry I think.

tortoiseshell · 09/02/2006 11:57

I've had the bug for a few weeks, along with both my children, and the cough does seem to be the worst bit of it. It's a barking cough, that is quite spasmodic - can feel like you're going to be sick with it. I've finally got some antibiotics from the doctor, because it's gone on so long. Given that your ds has asthma I think I would see the doctor, just to be on the safe side, but it sounds pretty much like what my children have. Have you tried wet towels on the radiator in his room - I'm convinced this cold dry weather is making it worse.

GDG · 09/02/2006 12:02

Ds1 has something similar but he's had no sickness or diarrhoea. Just a horrible cough, temperature and lethargy.

He's been like this for over a week now so I took him to the GP this morning - she checked him over thoroughly and he has no infection so we just have to let him rest and make sure he takes fluids. She said not to worry about not eating.

However, if your ds has asthma perhaps you need to be a bit more cautious about the cough? Might be worth a visit to GP to just to make sure there is no infection - better safe than sorry I think.

GDG · 09/02/2006 12:03

Ds1 has something similar but he's had no sickness or diarrhoea. Just a horrible cough, temperature and lethargy.

He's been like this for over a week now so I took him to the GP this morning - she checked him over thoroughly and he has no infection so we just have to let him rest and make sure he takes fluids. She said not to worry about not eating.

However, if your ds has asthma perhaps you need to be a bit more cautious about the cough? Might be worth a visit to GP to just to make sure there is no infection - better safe than sorry I think.

chapsmum · 09/02/2006 12:29

agree with GDC especially if your wee one has athsma, is always better to get their wee chest co#sounded if nothing else to put your mind at rest!

QE2 · 09/02/2006 12:33

I posted a thread about ds3 the other day saying how lethargic and unwell he looked.

black rings under his eyes - he looks dead rough. Think it must be this fluey thing. Haven't heard that anyone else in rl has got it. But it must be about and must be true cos MN says so!

I think it passes btw if you let them sleep and make sure they drink plenty and don't fret if they don't eat much for a few days.

Enid · 09/02/2006 12:35

I have the worlds worst, most painful, horrible cough and it has gone on for two weeks now.

The gp came out to me and said that my chest was loose so the cough was good as it was getting rid of all the mucus in my chest. He said antibiotics would prob be useless. It isnt bronchitis.

but it is horrid. sympathies. start taking Echinacea NOW so that you dont get it!

katetee · 09/02/2006 12:44

Hi
my dd (10) came home last Thursday with fever, chils etc, began vomitting in the night, this progressed to headache, sore throat, enlarged glands etc etc and HORRID cough that makes her thinks she's about to be sick. I phoned GP Tuesday and spoke with the Nurse who said prob Influenza B but as she is asthmatic bring her in on Wednesday for Doctor to see. Well she is now in Penicillin 4 times a day, chest is clear but awful tonsils and ear. Have to phone her Friday morning to see if there is any improvement if not they will se her again Friday! I would phone GP to be on safe side, but it is a horrible cough. Good Luck.

SHHHH · 09/02/2006 13:48

I posted on saturday night as I was concerned about dd. She was vomiting and had a temp of 39 deg. Anyhow ended up in a& e and 8 hrs later were told she has a urine inf or this bug/gastroenteritus.Test have come back neg for a urine inf. She since developed this cold.

Once home sunday night I felt rough and started to vomit as well. Dh started with it the following day. All 3 of us are slowly getting over it.

BTW it's been reported on "this morning" yesterday so it does exist ..!!!

Hope everyone is better soon. xx

Bozza · 09/02/2006 13:55

Both DH and DD had the cough with this bug. DH slept on the settee for several nights because he just couldn't get to sleep in bed. DS was much like GDG's DS.

Aero · 09/02/2006 14:01

I'd have a GP listen to his chest to be on the safe side tbh.
Ds1 has just had two weeks off school and is on his 2nd course of ABs due to a chest infection which was heard and showed up on x-ray. GP referred him as he was clearly unwell when I took him back after he worsened shortly after finishing the first course of abs. He has a history of pneumonia and chest infections. He also has asthma.

Angeliz · 09/02/2006 14:01

Is this the Hib influenza??
(Sorry to but in but am panicking as dd hasn't been immunised yet due to clinic cock ups)

Original poster
IlanaK · 09/02/2006 14:03

Well, called the GP and they are closed! Called NHS direct who said he needed to be seen within two hours and offered to call out of hours doctor for me. So now just waiting (and ds is still sleeping - poor thing).

OP posts:
Bozza · 09/02/2006 14:40

Angeliz I think it is influenza type B - according to a thread from the other day. Don't worry about the vacs though - DS has had every injection going and he got this 'flu.

GDG · 09/02/2006 14:48

Same here - plus ds is hardly ever ill, usually avoids colds and everything. I think it's the first time he's been properly 'ill'. No vomiting or diarrhoea though, just really listless and hot with a cough.

Tinker · 09/02/2006 14:50

Oh god, am I meant to be worried about a cough like a seal in an 8 month old baby?

Tinker · 09/02/2006 14:51

Snotty but otehrwise fine in teh daytime.

Original poster
IlanaK · 09/02/2006 17:23

Well, I took him to the doctor in the end who said that his asthma is ok and chest is ok. SHe was very non-specifc about what virus it was and when I mentioned the influenza that has been on the news, she said it was not that (not sure how she can tell anyway).

Ds1 was so ill that to get him to the doctors I had to put him in ds2's pushchair and push him there with ds2 walking alongside. The looks I got were hillarious. Ds2 is only 19 months, but an excellent walker. And of course, we were walking along one of the busiest roads in london - I am sure people thought I was insane!

OP posts:
SHHHH · 09/02/2006 22:09

Glad you got ds seen to and hope he is better soon.

Tinker our dd is ill with this bug as well (as I said before dh & I have been ill with it as wel). She has also got this cough and it's more so at night..Poor little mite. She sounds like she is going to be sick .
At feeding times she has a mouth full of food and is sick...anyone got any ideas..? She seems to be taking more milk on board today but will not touch food although I don't blame her. Should I be concerned about lack of food..?

GDG · 09/02/2006 22:13

GP told me not to be concerned about lack of food. Today ds1 has only eaten one round of toast - that's it, nothing else. He's been the same all week - it's a really strange illness, I've never seen anything like it before!

SHHHH · 09/02/2006 22:39

I agree gdg...we have only had 8 mth training so far . I don't remember anything like this when I was younger.

It's terrible.

harriea · 10/02/2006 09:21

7.5 month ols son had vomiting and diarheaa for 7 days and now awful hacking cough. so think it is part of the same germ......my GP says its Rotavirus

Stilltrue · 10/02/2006 09:53

My dd had lethargy, loss of appetite and really bad barking cough at the beginning of last week. She's back at school now but looks tired still. Really nasty.