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Original poster

Anti Viral

17 replies

ChickandDuck · 20/11/2009 12:42

Have done the online assesment thing for DS1 and it recommends that I get some anti viral for him. I'm not sure it's necessary though ...

He had a terrible night sleep, waking complaining that his mouth hurt, he woke at 6.30 and got into bed with us as normal and went back to sleep (not normal). Complained again this morning of mouth hurting. Ate only half his breakfast (sometimes does this). Felt hot to touch but only very slight temp. Seemed happy to go to nursery, his mouth felt better, but was reluctant to sit down when we got there, teacher took over. Just picked him up. Teacher says he didn't join in with any songs etc as normal and he seemed tired. Complained of his legs hurting when asked to cross his legs. He doesn't want any lunch, still hot to the touch temp is 37.6c. Calpol given for sore mouth, which immediatley feels better

What do you think? Shall I leave it a day? I'm reluctant to give him something he may not neccersarily need?

OP posts:
pofacedandproud · 20/11/2009 12:49

I really wish people would keep their children at home if they have a temperature and ill. you say it was only a slight temp but that shows he is unwell combined with symptoms, so why take him to nursery where he can infect others? His temperature could rise any time. Especially if he's been prescribed anti-virals. It is just not fair on others, and in this climate we are being told to keep our children at home if we suspect SF.

Original poster
ChickandDuck · 20/11/2009 13:04

I didn't suspect SF before I took him to nursery, and he perked up before we went. His temp was just over 37c, not really a temperature. Plus he was complaining of a sore mouth, not really SF symptons I didn't think.

I have just done the online assessment, which has suggested getting anti - virals.

But thanks for your advice...

OP posts:
pofacedandproud · 20/11/2009 13:15

If his temp is not over 38 degrees I don't think they diagnose SF online. But maybe I'm wrong.

ihearttruffles · 20/11/2009 13:17

I agree with pofaced, small children are the most vulnerable group here - any temperature however small, with even just a bit of unwellness, and a child ought to be at home, not in nursery. Yes, a slight temperature might turn out to be nothing and then you've kept him off for no reason, but equally it could be the start of something in which case you've just helped to spread it around.

If a child is ill (especially a fever, however low) our mantra ought to be: keep them off nursery/playgroup/school until they're better or it's clear it's not a feverish illness like SF at all - not keep sending them until we're sure it is SF (by which time they've had a good chance to spread it around)!

As for whether or not he ought to have the antivirals - do you think he means his throat is sore when he says his mouth is sore? I think I'd be inclined to give them if my child had temp and sore throat and misery, because if it is SF it can get worse quite quickly. I'd be torn if they were bouncing around clearly not feeling ill though, despite temp and throat.

Original poster
ChickandDuck · 20/11/2009 13:23

37.6c, AFAIK, is not a temperature.

FGS if I were to keep him off becuase of a snotty nose, he'd miss 2 terms!

I think he does mean his throat, but it instantly felt better after having calpol .

I'm going to wait and see how he goes, if he gets dramatically worse I will go and collect the anti viral. He's not eaten his lunch, or the sweets he brought back from school but this could be down to any time of illness

OP posts:
ihearttruffles · 20/11/2009 13:57

No one's said keep him off just for a snotty nose, it was you who described him as having a temp ('only very slight temp'), not anyone else!

I hope he perks up a lot and you're saved the Tamiflu decision - it must be hard to know what to do in that situation.

whensmydayoff · 21/11/2009 15:28

Lets hope if it turns out to be SF, none of the other mums at nursery are pregnant.

Original poster
ChickandDuck · 21/11/2009 22:53

It's not, it's tonsilitis. So it's lucky I was sceptical else he would have had the anti viral and god forbid if he does get swine flu in the future he wouldn't have been allowed to have it again.

OP posts:
littleducks · 21/11/2009 23:20

Glad your ds is ok.

I agree with the other posters though, you should have acted more responsibly. My friends cousin (age 5) died last week with swine flu, so perhaps i'm being oversensitive but i do think you were wrong.

Original poster
ChickandDuck · 22/11/2009 09:46

I DID NOT SUSPECT SWINE FLU WHEN I TOOK HIM TO NURSERY!

He said his mouth was hurting (which I took to be his throat)and his temp was 37.6c, maybe I was wrong in putting a slight temp, he just seemed a bit hotter than normal. It's the time of year for this kinda thing, there is allsorts of infections going round at the nursery. If I had suspected swine flu in the morning I would not have taken him to nursery, but I didn't (and I was right). He nevers gets ill, and things like this normally pass really quickly with him, which was why, when he perked up, I thought he'd be fine to go to nursery.

I think people are too quick to shout SW at any cold symptoms, I couldn't believe how he was pescribed the anti viral with symptoms that could have been anything. Had I not have been responsible I would have given him the anti viral, not taken him to the docs and he wouldn't have been receiving the correct treatment, nor would he be able to have the anti viral again if he does actually get swine flu in the future.

OP posts:
saltyseadog · 22/11/2009 10:09

C&D I think people are just suggesting to err on the side of caution at the moment. Nurseries are packed full of two high risk groups - small children and women of child bearing age (the mums), many of whom will be pregnant. Until you know what the bug is, or isn't, best to play it safe.

tinalouiseuk · 22/11/2009 10:14

ChickandDuck,
I respect your hesitation about medicating; to do so regardless of proper diagnosis is irresponsible and dangerous.

Also agree that it is so difficult at the time of year when lots of children are a bit off-colour' to decide to keep them home.

littleducks · 22/11/2009 10:15

Thats crap, they would have prescribed it again. Though he would have had to be seen by dr the second time, it wouldnt be prescribed over the phone/internet again.

As i said my friends cousin died last week, she was mis diagnosed with tonsilitis/a chest infection (each diagnosis by diff drs) over a course of several days, she was even sent home from a and e, the night before having a febrile convulsion and being rushed to hosp being put into intensive care for a week and eventually dying. newspaper article about it

So no i dont think that the worst thing is over diagnosing SW. I think that you were irresponsible for sending an ill child to nursery, whether you thougght it was SW or another contagious illness, or just werent sure a day, of nursery while you kept an eye on him wouldnt have done any harm and would have given him a chance to get bette. But obv whatever we all thing you know best and couldnt giove a toss, just glad my kids dont go to your nursery.

tinalouiseuk · 22/11/2009 10:21

I don't understand why this has to turn rude and insulting. Each of us is a parent or gandparent who has the health and welfare of our children as our priority and this is something we all share.

How each of us decides to progress is an individual thing based on knowing those we love and care for, better than any other person. We know when 'off-colour' feels light or dangerous and can only go with that. To medicate 'just in case' is what has led to the over-use of anti-biotics and abundance of super-bugs that are now resistant.

saltyseadog · 22/11/2009 10:42

tinalouise - the point is that people are suggesting that the OP considers others besides her own dc. To medicate or not to medicate is entirely up to her, and won't affect others, however sending him to nursery where 10 more kids could pick up the bug needs more consideration. TBH I'm surprised the nursery doesn't have a stringent policy on when children should be kept off.

tinalouiseuk · 22/11/2009 10:54

I understand your point Saltyseadog and agree that if a child is ill (or anyone really) - they should stay home and not risk infecting others. However, it is tougher with little ones who communicate with less ease.

I simply think that as the parent, you know when to worry. A case of a child stating 'my mouth is sore' is so vague that it would be a tough call. Personally, I would keep those I love at home if they appear ill to me - but each of us is the expert on our own children only.

As a side note, this Pandemic doesn't seem to have much impact in the way of absence from the schools I know of in our area.

Original poster
ChickandDuck · 22/11/2009 11:00

and my reasons for keeping him off were... hotter than normal, a bit tired, and his mouth hurt this morning, but he says thats better now. All of this was, in fact, communicated to the teacher when I dropped him off. No mention of sending him home. When I collected him the teacher put it down to tiredness and said theres alot going round.

(I don't know whether this will make a difference but the minimum age of children at this nursery is 3, it's attched to the school)

OP posts:
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