Influenza- concerned Nan!

[MarnieRae]

My grandchild has just turned one and has been really poorly for a few weeks. On 9/12 they had a small burn to the hand and caught mrsa. They then contracted conjunctivitis. Grandson now in my care and out of the blue had a high temp and was vomiting (23/12). Took to a&e as was told to look out for toxic shock syndrome which he was showing all the signs for. Doctor assessed who said it was tonsillitis and gave antibiotics. No improvement 4 days later, child sleeping all day (awake window maximum 30 mins all day) not eating and barely drinking. Temp on and off- highest 41.9. Rang 111 again yesterday and they said take straight back to a&e. In a&e last night, further test, (nasal swab) confirmed influenza. Sent home- said too late for more antibiotics now. No improvement today. Baby has slept all day again and has vomited 3 more times. Managed half a small pouch of apple puree and about 7oz of formula. When is enough enough? Is it just the flu? Is this normal? This is now day 5!
It’s been a while since mine were this small!
Thank you.

Is he having plenty of wet nappies?

@PersephoneParlormaid no- I would say two wet today. Same as yesterday but a&e weren’t too concerned.

So is 7oz formula the only fluids he’s taking, or is he taking sips of water?
Will he eat some melon or suck on an ice lolly to get more fluids in?

Iv just managed to get another puree pouch down him. The small one, but better than nothing. The cough is horrendous and I’m trying now to keep this down by blowing on his face every time he coughs. I’m offering sips of water but it’s literally a sip and he pushes it away.

Take him back to a and e
At least call 111

I would be back in A&E and insisting on a second opinion. If nothing else the lack of wet nappies suggests dehydration. I'm not one to rush to the doctor at all, but that is an extremely high temperature and baby is dehydrated and barely waking which are both very concerning.

I have been there 3 times in 2 weeks and I am worried they will have a go and tell me to go home and stop wasting time. Especially as they said there is nothing more they could do yesterday? He’s just either whimpering in pain or asleep.

Babies can chanflge for better or worse in hpurs
If uyou feel he is worse or not improvong take him back
Better risk them thinking you over protective than another scenario

If it s been 2 weeks already and no improvement all the more reason to go back again and again till you see a proper improvement

Usually no doctor has a go for bringing a small child in to be checked ..they would prefer see him again than not and he deteriorates further

Please err on the side of caution and be very alert for chest infection symptoms.
I don't want to alarm you but in the flu epidemic of 1968/69 our neighbour's baby had flu but then died with double pneumonia.
I really would take him back to A and E if he isn't improving.

@MarnieRae Have they run blood tests yet to rule out sepsis? If not, I’d take him back and insist on blood tests x

I'd be back in A&E, the whimpering is not good especially with all the other symptoms. Sometimes you have to be a real advocate for your child and now sounds like one of those times.

I'd definitely go back to A&E. He's so little and clearly isn't improving even with the antibiotics, and you're struggling to prevent him becoming dehydrated. That would all be enough for me, even without the very, very high temperature.

Sounds horrendous, you must be bloody exhausted

I have no advice, but hope he feels better soon

Thank you all, no other tests other than nasal swab and the usual observations in a&e. If he is still the same in the morning I will ring 111/gp. It’s 3am and he’s just had 5oz between 11 and now on and off and one diarrhoea nappy.

Well done for getting the bottle down him. Definitely prioritise fluids. Is his temp stable? Calpol/Ibuprofen making a difference? Poor baby (and you! You must be exhausted!)

Hi all, unfortunately the bottle didn’t stay down long. Rang 111 at 4.30 am and they called back at 8. Managed to get an emergency gp appointment this morning! 3rd lot of antibiotics now prescribed and started. Fingers crossed it’s 3rd time lucky! So sad. Haven’t even managed to open his Xmas pressies yet! Thank you for all your advice x

Oh wow so you were right to be concerned

Hope he feels better soon 🙏

You’re doing an amazing job, try not to blow in his face when coughing that’s not gonna help him at all. But well done on advocating for him so much and getting help. Keep with the water tho. Amazing you’ve gone some form of nutrition down him. You’re keeping his blood sugar up. Keep watching them nappies too. If no improvement within 48 hours go back! This years flu has been awful for babies xx

How's he doing?