Poorly toddler. What would you do?

[ExcitingTimes2021]

Help please. My 16 month old has a temp all day. Rapid breathing. Hardly eaten. Has periods of being alert and playful but mainly wanted sleep and cuddles most of the day.

she is too unwell for nursery tomorrow. Grandad has offered to take her so I can work. I would prefer to stay with her as she isn’t eating or drinking much but I work on a very busy unstaffed ward so if I call in it will leave only one nurse on for the ward.

stay off with toddler? Or send to grandads? What would you do? I’m so stressed x

She needs to see a doctor then decide on the next step. You’re medical? She sounds very ill.

Will grandad easily and quickly access medical help if needed? Guessing if there’s rapid breathing they’ve been seen by a doctor already? If so I’d leave them with grandad.

Send to Grandads. I'm sure he would call you / 111/999 if needed.

Stay off - your child is the priority and whilst I’m sure a grandparent would do their absolute best a parent often notices things others wouldn’t and your dd sounds quite unwell.

I agree. Rapid breathing needs assessing

Thanks for the reply’s everyone. Iv rang the ward and told them I’m not going tomorrow. If she gets worse I’ll ring urgent care over night and try to get a doctors appt in the morning.

I am a nurse so not medical but am able to assess. I didn’t ring the GP as her temp and resp rate both came down with paracetamol so presumed her rapid breathing was due to pyrexia. No crackles or wheezes or anything to suggest an infection for I just presumed it’s another viral thing (we have many). I feel like the worst mother in the world for not ringing today now! She has had so many viral infections since starting nursery the GP always says nothing they can do and to monitor at home. I just thought it was the same! X

I’m sure you are a great mother so please don’t take this too harshly, I really don’t mean it to be, but I’m sure you wouldn’t ‘assume’ with your patients and would refer on, so don’t assume with your own child!

You aren’t her nurse, you are her parent, it’s not your responsibility to assess her it’s the GPs so don’t feel bad seeking advice, you no doctors would always rather double check than miss one person in need. That being said I’m sure you’d have spotted anything too dangerous, you are not a bad parent. I hope she feels better soon OP

Also a nurse (but paeds) and rapid breathing is common with a high temp and I’m sure you are aware of the signs of respiratory distress in a young child so as long as you’re happy she’s settled with paracetamol and/or ibuprofen, looks settled and is eating/drinking and passing urine then I think staying at home with her tomorrow is the best thing, you’d just have your head elsewhere all day.

I’ve got 4 kids and have had to leave them sick and nurse other peoples children. it’s not easy. However they’ve been well enough to be at home, I can come home if needed. When I was a ward nurse I just used to feel guilty missing days with them, being in bed when I leave and when I came home. I hope your wee one is better soon op