Baby virus - when do you take them to the doctor?

[ByDreamyMintNewt]

Hi there,

Just want to check here and make sure I'm not under reacting! My own mum rarely, rarely took me to the doctor growing up, even when I was really pretty unwell, and I don't want to be making the same mistakes.

Baby is 6.5 months old, general symptoms:

• On day 3 of a slightly raised temperature. My ear thermometer isn't actually showing him as having a temperature but I feel it must be an error with the thermometer as he definitely feels hot to me. Started feeling warm on Tuesday evening, it comes down with Calpol then goes back up again.
• Woke up Tuesday morning with super gunky eyes, these are slightly better now but still needing the occasional wipe.
• Very, very tired. Generally awake for about an hour before needing to go back to sleep. I am still getting a few smiles when he first wakes up but generally pretty grumpy and clearly not feeling great. Had to be woken up this morning for the school run, but isn't difficult to wake otherwise at the moment. Just wants to be asleep.
• Looks a bit pale, but no signs of rashes.
• Totally refusing solids but still having plenty of milk and normal nappies.
• Slight cough and runny nose.

Obviously I'm worried because he's so tired and not himself, but my instinct is to keep an eye and ring for an out of hours appointment over the weekend if he's not better? I think doctors currently will say it's a virus and there's nothing they can do. But then I'm terrified that he'll suddenly get worse? Should I be insisting on getting him seen?

Thanks.

You sound like a very intelligent and observant parent so I’m inclined to say trust your instincts.
If in the U.K. you can ask to speak to your local pharmacist for advice and/ or use the 111 service online without waiting for it to be “ out of hours” . Having said that they do tend to be very cautious about babies so you may find they say you need to see a GP but at least then you are following their advice rather than feeling like an pushy parent.

What's your temperature? We had a thermometer break on us. My daughter had a 40+oC fever but measured 37oC. When we measured our own it was 35oC

With a 6 month old I'd probably call the GP now you are on day 3 and heading into the weekend.

Take them to gp

If he suddenly gets worse then you can get an out of hours dr appointment or take to A and E.

Have you looked up the NHS advice? I always find it helpful.

@Superscientist it says my temperature is 36.3, so that could be accurate? Not sure. The highest its said his is 37.3 but like I say he felt warmer. I don't think I could even get a GP appointment at this time of day where I am.

Surely, if it is a virus, there is absolutely nothing the GP can do? This sounds like a case of what doctors call "therapeutic use of time" (ie just wait long enough, and it will get better).

For that sort of thing I have never taken my dcs to a GP, there is nothing much that they can do and I've found that the dcs bounce back again after some rest at home. If they are taking milk and nappies are normal I don't see much to worry about.

@ByDreamyMintNewt in similar situations I've been tagged onto the end of clinic. It usually means a bit of waiting around. It's worth a call - if they can get you in today it will be easier than trying to go through out of hours or 111 tomorrow. I don't know if it's a general rule but my GP told me they always try to fit in under 2s if at all possible the same day no matter when they call. My GP at the time was a slots gone in minutes at 8am but I was seen a couple of times in the evening having phoned at midday.
That possibly a true-ish reading. I'm usually around 36.3-36.5 when I take mine when my daughter is ill. Have you been giving Calpol or ibuprofen?

One of those times was when the thermometer broke and I thought she was 37 and she was actually 40. We left with antibiotics and he phoned us back 2h after the appointment to see if the temperature had come down to see if we needed sending to paeds.

I would suggest taking your baby to a Pharmacy if you cannot get through to your GP in the first instance. Otherwise try contacting 111 if you're in the UK? .....? 🤷‍♀️ Good luck, hope bath feels better! 🤞😬🍀

do you use the healthier together app (can also view online Home :: Healthier Together)? it has common illnesses and problems in children and uses a red, amber, green traffic light system with symptoms. so if any red you need to go to A&E, amber is GP or phone 111 and green is care at home. some symptoms listed are also adjusted for age too. it's very useful to help me stay rational in decision making when DS is poorly!

obviously mum gut is a very real thing but there are also nasty viruses going round still this winter. the fact baby is feeding well and having wet/normal nappies would ease me a bit. doctor will say don't worry about solids, they even just said this about my 16 month old and water was the most important thing for him if he didn't want to eat.

we have also had to use 111 a couple of times this winter and I can reassure you they are super helpful and quick at arranging care for little ones, so if it comes to that over the weekend they will help you.

Thanks all for the advice - always good to hear a range of opinions when you start second guessing yourself. He had a good 2hour nap at lunch time and seemed a bit brighter after, although certainly not on full form. He's currently snoozing away on me now again, so I'll continue keeping an eye.

I've taken mine to A&E twice - once due to COVID at 5 months causing two days of projectile vomiting and fast breathing; the second time a month later, similar symptoms and I suspected bronchiolitis . saw GP and she sent us straight to A&E. If your baby can keep down/drink at least 50% of normal fluids, including some milk, that's a good sign. But you know your baby so trust your judgement! With bronchiolitis I just knew my baby's drowsiness and breathing were completely out of character - but there was no fever, so we weren't giving Calpol.