Daughter won't eat or drink

[StopTheQtipWhenTheresResistance]

I'm really worried about my 19 year old daughter. She's got a learning disability, autism and severe mental health problems which she was sectioned for last year.

She has been doing so well since she left hospital in September and has been eating and drinking really well.

On Wednesday, she had her breakfast but then refused to eat or drink for the rest of the day. It was very noticeable that she was not herself at all.

On Thursday she still refused to drink or eat and her mental health had really deteriorated to the point where she is completely disassociated. I had to resort to syringing liquid into her mouth but it would just drip out.

She ended up in A&E on Friday as she had not had a drink or had a wee in over 24 hours. She was given fluids and had blood tests. All ok, no infection showing in blood. All obs were fine. I finally managed to get her to have a wee on the toilet which the nurses took away to test but I never got the results back for this. She was prescribed antibiotics.

Yesterday I only managed to get 85ml of fluid down her and she didn't eat anything again. Going to hospital again is an absolute last resort as it is very traumatic for her but I admit I am scared. I suspect she has a UTI as her urine smells so strong and abnormal. Her fever was down yesterday though but she is still sweaty.

If someone is prone to mental health issues, can an infection make their mental health decline drastically? Does anyone know if someone can be given IV fluids in the home via the GP? Does anyone have any suggestions to get her to drink? I'm so worried.

Also can you still have an infection but it not show up in blood tests?

UTI can definitely affect mental capacity of vulnerable people and definitely an make you feel horrible (young/old/LD) but can be initially diagnosed with a dip stick, which if positive will be sent to the lab to grow cultures. GP may start on broad spectrum abx or await to see what grows and then they can prescribe that particular abx. Blood results would show raised infection markers.
In terms of eating, if she's not eating and only managing 85ml fluid, could you get some pro cal shots? They're 100ml of liquid but 400kcals in that. X

IV fluids generally not given at home where I work, because if someone is needing IV fluids, they are acutely unwell and need medical attention. We do do IVI in community but that is usually to finish a course of IV abx.
Hope this helps x

Thank you for replying. I haven't heard of pro-cal shots. Can you buy them over the counter? I have some Fortisips and I've managed to get her to have 40ml so far. I'm syringing it into her mouth.

If I can keep getting 80ml in per hour, do you think she will be ok hydration wise? Would you bother to offer food at this point?

Hiya. - sorry about the late response!
I think they might need prescribing but try the pharmacy and they will tell you, if not GP should prescribe them.
I would bother trying to get her to eat, you may distress her.
Is she weeing? If she's passing a good amount of urine then you're okay, but that would last long so really you need to see GP, even if you use a private online GP to express your concerns, you'd have to pay for it but most work 24/7 which means you can get things sorted nice and quickly.

I know in old people, a uti can cause confusion, but not sure about young vulnerable people.

I am wondering what the plan was when she was discharged from A&E. Seems a bit off that she would be discharged without a contingency plan. What does your GP recommend?
Sorry but I think you will have to go back to A&E if she won't drink anything.