help urgent

[Linzoid]

My ds age nearly 4 has had a temperature all afternoon and a cough. Now tonight his eyes are all red a watrery/ gooey aswell. I've given calpol and his temperature is almost 103. I'm scared it might be measles as i have been advised not to vaccinate yet because the doc he's been seeing is checking out a possible problem with his immune system (low antibodies) He's asleep at the moment. Should i call out a doc or would it be right to wait till morning?

[ann22]

I would call your doctor's emergency no. or try NHS Direct (0845 4647). They should be able to advise you over the phone as to what you should do next.

Hope he gets better soon.

[WideWebWitch]

Linzoid, agree, they really are quite helpful IME. Let us know won't you?

[efmach]

Linzoid - sorry to hear that your son is not well. If you are in the UK it's worth giving NHS Direct a phone call. They can be very helpful and will be able to advise you about calling your GP.
Good luck

[Tinker]

Personally, I'd ring your GP straightaway after getting duff advice from NHS Direct (I know they can be good, just own experience)

[robinw]

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[Frieda]

Hi, Linzoid, just logged on & saw your message. Sorry to hear your ds is ill ? must be very scarey for you. Not sure I'm going to be much help, but there was an outbreak of measles at my ds's nursery last summer ? 7 or 8 kids got it, and all were fine (although I gather it's pretty horrible at the time) including one poor soul who had chickenpox at the same time! Mine didn't get it, though he hasn't been vaccinated conventionally (just homeopathically). Has yours been in contact with measles at all?
If I were you, I'd give the doc a call if you're worried, just for reassurance, though I understand there's no treatment as such for a standard measles infection ? only the complications ? just to make a child as comfortable as possible & try whatever means (Calpol, ibuprofen, wet-sponging, etc) to keep the temperature under control.
Try NHS Direct, as well, if you like ? I've always found them quite helpful (0845 46 47/nhsdirect.nhs.uk)
I do hope he gets better soon ? even if he does have measles, most of us had it when we were little & are perfectly ok now.
Lots of hugs.

[Temptress]

Linzoid - first of all try and keep the temperature under control with lots of fluids if possible and by making sure that your son has loose or thin covers over him.

Have a check inside of his mouth because you normally find that there will be little red shaped spots with blue/white centres if the child has measles and these usually appear before the rash itself. Measles usually appears on the forehead and spreads downwards so keep an eye out for a rash starting there. Other symptoms can include red eyes sensitive to light and a runny nose.

It may just be a virus but if you are concerned then call your doctor out or ring NHS direct. In the meantime if you have childrens neurofen you can give that together with the calpol to help bring the temperature down. You normally find that the temperature peaks during the afternoon anyway.

[Temptress]

Linzoid - first of all try and keep the temperature under control with lots of fluids if possible and by making sure that your son has loose or thin covers over him.

Have a check inside of his mouth because you normally find that there will be little red shaped spots with blue/white centres if the child has measles and these usually appear before the rash itself. Measles usually appears on the forehead and spreads downwards so keep an eye out for a rash starting there. Other symptoms can include red eyes sensitive to light and a runny nose.

It may just be a virus but if you are concerned then call your doctor out or ring NHS direct. In the meantime if you have childrens neurofen you can give that together with the calpol to help bring the temperature down. You normally find that the temperature peaks during the afternoon anyway.

[Temptress]

sorry dont know how i did that twice!

[Jimjams]

Have a look in his mouth- white "koplik's" spots can be seen on the cheek lining if it's measles- usually from day three (after the cough). (This is the best way to diagnose measles- but they only last for a few days- they look like grains of salt with an inflamed red patch around them.

If you're worried call the doctor- especially if he has a possible immune system problem. In the meantime try to get some vitamin A into him- I've given some references for this in the MMR thread. As much vitamin A as you can- although not megadoses as it can be toxic (not to worry you on this either- I just mean don't go crazy with it!).

The measles rash starts 3 to 5 days after the cold symptoms- usually as the fever goes up. the rash starts around the ears and face and then spreads.

Homeopathic remedies which might be useful include aconite- and belladona (especially useful if eyes are red). (These remedies would be useful for fever - even if it isn't measles).

Has DS been in contact with anyone with measles?

If you're worried about calling the dr- try NHS direct for advice.

Don't worry too much- even if it is measles- remember it's usually a mild disease (especially in this country where it's been around for generations). But if you're at all worried speak to the dr- at least they would be able to give a firmer diagnosis.

BTW my son had similar sounding symptoms before xmas- he had the fluey bug thing. His temperature was high for 5 days- but no problems.