Could my son have swine flu or another virus. Advice please?
I'm really confused. He's 19 months old and he started out being drowsy and having a chesty cough. He also refused food. The following day he was out of it. He didn't want to do anything but sit and cuddle or sleep. He had a high fever consistently over 30C and medicine struggled to bring it down. He was also vomiting. Two days on and although the fever seems to have settled, his cough is as bad a ever, he's still not eating and he's still very drowsy and only wanting to cuddle or sleep. I'm concerned because I'm struggling to get him to take his medicine and drink enough. He had the same nappy on all night and it was hardly damp by morning when usually it's full to bursting. I tried to give him some fruit and fruit juice last night which he gave a go but vomited afterwards. He has had a little milk this morning.
All the advice at the moment about flu is confusing. Its defiantly more than a cold. I've had the seasonal flu vaccine and have only had very mild symptoms since he's been ill. Just a head ache and mild sore throat. My partner hasn't be vaccinated or come down with anything yet.
From my experience of having flu, it usually comes on very quickly which it didn't in my sons case which is what is really confusing me. Also if it were swine flu I'd have thought I'd have it by now and if it were seasonal flu my partner should have got it?
What could it be? What should I do?
Forgot to mention he has a rash this morning too which looks like heat rash on his legs.
Update:He also saw a doc on the day he had the very high fever who said it was just a virus and not to worry but he doesn't seem to be improving and that was monday night.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
If he is not getting better you are going to have to take him back to his doctor to see what is wrong. If he is not wetting his nappy overnight it sounds like he may be dehydrated, in which case he may need IV fluids to rehydrate him. In any case, you really have to take him back to the doctor.
A good rule is that if you take a child to the doctor and he gets worse or doesn't get better in a reasonable amount of time you must take him back to be seen again.
I suppose there's a possibility that your son could have an infection caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It's a common winter illness, especially in infants, and parents tend to overlook it in favor of influenza. Some strains of this virus cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain and it can be serious. Swine flu is for pigs and people get novel H1N1 flu. I suggest you take him back to his pediatrician and suggest RSV as a possible diagnosis and in any case don't leave without having tests done to determine what the causative organism is. Lots of times it really is just a harmless virus and maybe this time that's all it is but your child depends on you to protect and care for him. You're all he's got. Be an advocate for your child.
There is a nasty virus in the UK affecting young children, my Grandson aged 5 ended up in hospital as he had problems breathing. As yours now has a rash he must go to the Doctor today, he must also be checked for dehydration.
Never ever take chances with young children.
Wouldnt a rash indicate some kind of virus. Or it could be a STREP rash which would probably be bacterial.
Take said child to pediatrician. Write down all your childs symptoms so you remember when you take him to be seen.
Until you get definitive answers from your doctor on whether or not it is the swine flu or something else keep him hydrated - the best weapon!
Also, as a preventitive so he doesn't pick up more bugs, Kimberly Clark came out with darling Disney themed children's flu masks:
http://bit.ly/6IHb5q
Take him to a Dr as soon as you can. He may jsut have a virus but you need someone with knowledge to check him out .
Instead of trying to work out what this is and getting nowhere you need to take him to the doctor and get proper medical advice.
it might be swine flu or some other resperatory infection.
Take him to the dr.