3 year old unwell and lethargic - Husband thinks a trip to A&E is needed but I feel staying at home is best. Please help and advise

[Biosblbay]

Our 3 year old has been very unwell since Saturday late night/ early hours Sunday. He hasn’t eaten since Saturday late afternoon, refuses everything, won’t eat yogurt, toast, ice cream, no fruit, nothing, but he is drinking plenty of water. His temperature is very up and down, currently it’s 37.5. He won’t take calpol, as per my previous post it is impossible and tried every single method and way possible! He hasn’t moved in 2 days, when he tries to get up he just lays straight back down, hardly talking, sleeping lots, but still watching TV/ films and able to focus on that (not sure if this is classed as lethargic). My husband is really concerned he isn’t eating, I am not as concerned as he is drinking water still and we are only on day 2, tomorrow will be day 3. I would rather avoid A&E if it is not necessary, I don’t want to spread whatever our son has and do not want to make him feel worse.

Can I have some others input please on what is best. A little unsure what to do. Thank you

Call 111
Go thru the questions
Get medical advice

Have you tried to get an GP appointment?

You toddler has been “very unwell” since Saturday

I am 100% with your husband that this is serious enough for medical attention.

I can’t fathom why you have not booked to see a GP before now

tomorrow will be day 3

day 4 actually

He hasn’t eaten anything at all since Saturday? I would be going to A&E.

111 before a&e surely? And I know you say he won’t take calpol but without it’s tricky to know if he would have been up and about a bit more and his temp more stable. I’m sure that’s what you’d be told by a doctor or 111 actually and they’d probably find a more unpleasant way of getting it into him at hospital.

I think you need to find some way of getting the Calpol in, even if you have to be a bit pushy with it. He may not like it but it’s essential to bring his temp down.

Could you not have called your GP today? I would phone 111 and monitor him,

Why haven’t you sought medical advice? What’s the logic behind waiting until the GP has shut for the day?

Phone 111 and see what they say.

I'm not a worrier but I would take him in first thing, keep trying with calpol and anything he may find interesting to drink not just water.

If he's verbal, what's he saying when offered food etc? Has he talked about not feeling well?

You're outside the hours for this now but I'd have gone to my GP in person. They will pretty much always see under 5s. Is there a walk in centre near you that you could take him to?

He hasn't eaten for 3 days? And only drunk water? No juice, no milk?

You need to get to A&E now.

His temp isn’t that bad

Is this a wind up post?

If not then why on earth have you not sought medical help for your seriously ill child yet?

It’s good for him to have a temp when ill.

You should have rang the GP this morning rather than waiting until 6 at night. Call 111.

What? Go to A&E. 111 will send you there anyway.

Is he passing urine?
The not eating for a couple of days isn’t too worrying as long as they’re drinking and passing urine. Can you give him fruit juice? Maybe diluted with water as this will have some sugars in for energy
If you are worried then do take him absolutely. Just be prepared for him to perk up massively and start running around the waiting room - seen it loads of times!

Most GPs will see a child of this age the same day. I would have taken him by now. Children this age can go downhill fast.

I’d go to a&e

also my dd won’t take calpol, due to being autistic, so I had to physically restrain her, hold her arms down and physically force feed her it, to get it in her as there was absolutely no alternative

(edit, this is a common experience for Sen parents, not just me!)

if you’re delaying a&e, at least get some calpol into him

when going to a&e, the best time is always at about 6am imo, but tbh I wouldn’t wait

best of luck for poor ds, I’m sure you’re both doing your best xx

Why have you not called your GP within working hours?

I would try and get a drs appointment. When my son was poorly the GP wasn’t concerned at all that he hadn’t eaten, much more worried about fluids. He did check him thoroughly though and diagnosed tonsillitis, which explained the not eating. This was despite me asking him if anything hurt, he had just said ‘no’ consistently.

Calling 111 now

6 days very ill
Be honest with 111 at least

You said his highest temp was 37.8 which isn't very high.

The not eating is a much bigger concern. While waiting for 111, I wouldn't obsess about the calpol but try harder to see if there's something he'll eat, like broth, crackers, anything.