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Would you take your toddler to GP in this scenario?

32 replies

NewMum5678 · 06/02/2024 19:10

Toddler first developed fever Sat afternoon. Fever lasted 2 days. Now has cough, sniffles, drool is pouring out of his face, he’s lost his voice, he cries as soon as food touches his tongue. He has blotchy red cheeks but no other rashes. He has only been able to sleep in 15-30 min stints for both naps and night time. He wakes up very distressed. He was lethargic with the fever but once the fever passed and he was on nurofen and Calpol alternated, he seemed mainly ok. Symptoms have been very similar to when he had hand foot and mouth but he’s seemed more unwell and doesn’t have the spots this time?

But today (day 4) he’s been different. He’s been very lethargic all day despite no fever and he has just wanted to sleep constantly, however has struggled to. He’s hardly eaten (which is typical when he’s sick so that’s fine) but is now also struggling to drink. He went 6 hours before having a wet nappy today and it’s been dry again since up until bed.

He just doesn’t seem himself, particularly in regards to how little he’s wanted to play and how much he has wanted to sleep. We’ve had a lot of illnesses but this has hit him the hardest, whatever it is. I don’t know if I should take him to GP or if they’ll likely just say “viral, give him fluids etc etc”. What would you do?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
UnravellingTheWorld · 06/02/2024 19:16

Lethargy is a symptom of dehydration, and this can be pretty serious. Do anything you can to get some fluids into him - juice, jelly, ice lollies, cucumber etc

Are you in England? I would call 111.

Strictlymad · 06/02/2024 19:16

I would take him, then can at least check for bacterial tonsillitis and see if he needs antibiotics

thebestinterest · 06/02/2024 19:17

Absolutely!

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NewYearNewCalendar · 06/02/2024 19:17

I think he ought to have seen the GP today, so I would call 111 now.

Mynewnameis · 06/02/2024 19:18

Definitely

Treetertop · 06/02/2024 19:18

I would, so someone can check his tongue and throat and make sure its not scarlet fever, which you'd need antibiotics for.

bryceQ · 06/02/2024 19:22

Definitely would have taken him today. Get emergency appointment tomorrow and track his fluids

MamPadi · 06/02/2024 19:26

Yes he needs to be seen, I would call 111 out of hours tbh, things can change quickly in young children

CrotchetyQuaver · 06/02/2024 19:31

I would call111 and see what they suggest, it may be a trip to hospital tonight or an OOH GP appointment.

DiscoBeat · 06/02/2024 19:31

111 now, no question.

NewMum5678 · 06/02/2024 19:32

@MamPadi @NewYearNewCalendar I’ve not had to call 111 before. Will they likely just send us to A&E at this time of night? He’s currently in bed. Obviously would take him if they thought it was serious but I don’t know if it’s better to let him sleep and get an emergency GP appointment tomorrow?

OP posts:
NewMum5678 · 06/02/2024 19:33

I managed to get a bit of water into him this afternoon and before bed but not loads, just lots of small sips here and there.

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HVPRN · 06/02/2024 19:34

Do you have any diflam spray? My first thought was ENT related infection. What are his tonsils like?

NestaArcheron · 06/02/2024 19:34

Any rash anywhere? What's his temp at the moment?

NestaArcheron · 06/02/2024 19:35

I would call 111 regardless.

NewMum5678 · 06/02/2024 19:35

@HVPRN Yes we have some difflam which we’ve used. I think it helps a little, he managed to eat some melon after using it. But I’m not sure what his tonsils are like as he won’t let me look, it’s currently a battle getting nurofen and Calpol into him, let alone looking at his tonsils.

OP posts:
NewYearNewCalendar · 06/02/2024 19:36

They might send you to A&E, if you have an out of hours doctor service they may be able to send you there.

I wouldn’t wait until morning given how lethargic he is and lack of fluid intake.

NewMum5678 · 06/02/2024 19:36

@NestaArcheron His temperature is normal now and has been fine for 24 hours. He has no rashes anywhere other than red blotchy cheeks.

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ExcellentCat · 06/02/2024 19:38

111
might grt you an out of hours gp appointment which can be very good rather than a &e

CuriousBogInTheNight · 06/02/2024 19:39

I am a nurse and think he should be seen today also. Drool pouring down face is a bad sign - indicates severe inflammation stopping him from swallowing. Dry nappy and lethargy is bad. Please call 111 to get professional advice.

Icouldbehappy · 06/02/2024 19:41

Is he using his chest muscles to breathe? Can you see his chest going in and out in a concave way? That’s a sign of struggling to breathe.
Listen to his back; do you hear any crackles?

I’d definitely get him seen ASAP. They can deteriorate very quickly at this age.
Been there and got the t-shirt.

HVPRN · 06/02/2024 19:47

That's good the diflam helped - good indication. Please follow instructions and use regularly. Good his temp has settled now. Any issues with his airway, breathing?

Have you an enteral syringe to hand? If so, syringe water or diluted cordial (perhaps make a game) 10mls every 10mins if he will tolerate it, rouse him awake for the water this evening regardless if you go in or not

Is he also teething?

HVPRN · 06/02/2024 19:48

How old is he?

LapinR0se · 06/02/2024 19:49

Sounds like scarlet fever. I’d have been at the GP today. Does he have a temp right now in bed?

RunnyBeaker · 06/02/2024 19:53

My son had these exact symptoms over the weekend after being "not quite right" all week. I called 111 who told me to go to A&E. Turns out he has tonsillitis alongside a viral illness. He's now on his 3rd day of penicillin and the difference in him is night and day. Definitely go and get him checked out x

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