Lorien Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 It would seem that the flu has been running through our family these past two weeks. All seven kids, myself, and my in laws have had some variation of the same thing ... dry hacking cough, runny nose, aches, pains, chills, fever, headaches, or dizziness. Most are recovering okay, but DD6 has been hit the worst. For almost a week she refused to eat more than a spoonful of food at meal times. She seems to be staying hydrated, and the past two days her eating increased so much that today she ate a whole banana for breakfast and a fruit filled cereal bar for lunch. But, when I tried to give her some supper she started gagging. Then she threw up. I thought it might be the yogurt causing her to gag, so I tried the same kind of bar she’d eaten at lunch, but she threw that up too. Her fever, which had broken, is back and has been climbing throughout the evening. She’s now at 100.4. She’s been sick for nine days. At what point do we take her to the hospital? Please note....while eating her banana this morning she was gobbling it down while playing games on an iPad. Happily eating and not seeming to be sick at all. No fever at the time, although her legs felt warm to me. Her lunch went down much the same way, with the only complaint being that she was tired and could she be done. I really thought she was well on the way to recovering, and now this. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) We were hit by the flu too. 3 people had a variation like you described and were pretty much confined to bed for 3-4 days straight. But one of my daughter presented the same symptoms but was recovering after a day and half (and she is known as having the weakest immune system in the house). A week later the fever came back and the body aches were worse then ever, she complained of teeth hurting no appetite etc. Lasted 2 days and then it was gone. So while it seems she had the same bug as everyone else, it was split in 2 phases. The throwing up would confuse me too but the long recovery doesn't surprise me because this was one nasty bug (7-9 days was typical to fully recover here). If she is still not well tomorrow, I would probably take her in to her doctor just because the throwing up on top of the long recovery could really leave her body depleted and she may need some extra help. Unless she is extremely lethargic I probably would not go to the ER. Edited January 19, 2018 by cjzimmer1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceseeker Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 My pediatrician always told me that if it has been longer than a week or if the fever left and then came back, I should bring them in (besides obvious concerns that send you rushing in!) I never knew what to do about the colds and bugs that drag on so I asked and that was their advice. It's a bad flu season. It's been over a week and the fever is coming back. I would see a doctor. My pediatrician also said it's better to be safe than sorry, so when in doubt, bring them in. Hope everyone feels better soon! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 The fever returning is a sign to watch for with the flu. It is a sign that can indicate secondary infection. How is she now? Do you have an on call pediatrician you can call? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorien Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 Thanks. I was a little worried I was overreacting with thinking she might need to see a dr, but I guess not. There are a few factors which would rule out going anywhere tonight. The main one being that my ride is asleep and needs to be up by 4:30 for work so I don’t want to wake him unnecessarily! Unless something changes during the night, I’ll see how she’s doing in the morning and if she hasn’t improved at all, will try to get her in to see someone as soon as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorien Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 The fever returning is a sign to watch for with the flu. It is a sign that can indicate secondary infection. How is she now? Do you have an on call pediatrician you can call? As of right now, she’s sleeping. Not sure about the fever, or her stomach, but that’s all she wanted to do and it was late so I let her go to bed (it’s midnight here). No, we don’t have a pediatrician. Your comment about the secondary infection reminded me that her stomach has been hurting. She’s not been complaining about it, but when she stood or sat, she’d hold her stomach like it hurt. I asked about it, but she didn’t want to talk about it and all I was able to gather was that it hurts. I thought it was caused by wind, or the need to use the toilet, but now I’m wondering if it was something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 If she were mine, I'd sleep next to her, and push fluids throughout the night. IA couple sips of Gatorade or Pedialyte, or a homemade version, on an ongoing basis.) Make a plan for when/how/where you'll take her in tomorrow. Cold compresses (e.g. a cold damp washcloth) on the forehead can help with the fever, along with any meds you usually use. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 100.4? Vomiting twice? I would call the doctor in the morning but I wouldn’t be especially alarmed. The bug can last a long time. It’s worth checking on since she seemed to be getting better before getting worse. But none of those symptoms would send up ER worthy vibes to me. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) If she were mine, I'd sleep next to her, and push fluids throughout the night. IA couple sips of Gatorade or Pedialyte, or a homemade version, on an ongoing basis.) Make a plan for when/how/where you'll take her in tomorrow. Cold compresses (e.g. a cold damp washcloth) on the forehead can help with the fever, along with any meds you usually use.I always had my kids sleep with me when they were hit hard by a bug. Dh had to sleep elsewhere. It seemed to soothe them and I knew how they were. I hope your daughter perks up quickly. Edited January 19, 2018 by MBM 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 ... Your comment about the secondary infection reminded me that her stomach has been hurting. She’s not been complaining about it, but when she stood or sat, she’d hold her stomach like it hurt. I asked about it, but she didn’t want to talk about it and all I was able to gather was that it hurts. I thought it was caused by wind, or the need to use the toilet, but now I’m wondering if it was something else. Keep a sharp eye on that. Be ready to take her in before morning if need be. Otherwise be sure to mention it to the doc you see in the morning. :grouphug: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorien Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 I always had my kids sleep with me when they were hit hard by a bug. Dh had to sleep elsewhere. It seemed to soothe them and I knew how they were. I hope your daughter perks up quickly. Thanks. Me too! We have a crib mattress in our room that she will often sleep on. If she wakes during the night she comes to our room, but she likes to start the night out in her room. She has her water bottle nearby filled with a water/Gatorade mixture which she’s been drinking lots of. I checked on her a few minutes ago and she doesn’t feel as warm as she did when she went to bed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) Does your insurance company have a nurse line? Or maybe your dr or hospital has a pediatric triage line? I’d call those and see what they say. If you have insurance, this. If you don't, see if your hospital has a nurse line. That's a long time without food, and that's a really fine line between "sleeping fine" and lethargy. That's just a long time without food, when she's complaining of pain and vomiting. My ds didn't have enough meat on him at that age to sustain that. I'm super non-interventionist, and I'd be on the phone. Does that person leaving at 4:30 mean you'll have no car? That would be a problem. I'm not a doctor at all though. Edited January 19, 2018 by PeterPan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I'd take her in. I was never one to take the boys to the doctor for any little thing, but I feel certain that any pediatrician worth the paper his medical degree is printed on would tell you to bring her in. Mine always, always said that if a fever broke and the child seemed to be improving and then the child started feeling bad again and the fever returned to bring them in. I followed that advice, and there was always something else going on. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 New fever, vomiting and stomachache after a respiratory virus are all signs of pneumonia. That is particularly likely and worrisome if it was influenza. Definitely take her on somewhere today. (I’m a pediatrician.) 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarlaB Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I would see how the night went and how she is in the morning. Personally wouldn’t take her In for 2x vomiting and low grade temp- especially if she has been steadily improving. Temps always increase in the evening and recovery isn’t a linear thing from some viruses. but that’s just me. Lingering sporadic illness is one thing that can vary a lot for different bodies. Some kids just drag a lot. But it could be worrisome from another vantage point so you have to know your Kid. A lot of times IMHO the lingering worries are harder to read than original illness. The majority of times the severity of symptoms will let you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 New fever, vomiting and stomachache after a respiratory virus are all signs of pneumonia. That is particularly likely and worrisome if it was influenza. Definitely take her on somewhere today. (I’m a pediatrician.) Thank you for this, I didn't realize vomiting could be a sign of pneumonia. Good to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Not a doctor, so YMMV. I probably would not go in unless I were concerned with dehydration. You said she hasn't been eating, but has she been drinking? As a PP said, I'd push sips of water/gatorade/pedialyte/coke (yeah, I'm old school) throughout the night. If she's getting down a reasonable amount of liquid, I'd probably leave it be unless the fever gets higher or she complains of throat pain (strep). We are also dealing with an on-again-off-again fever, plus cough and runny noses... I feel like we're going on day 100, but it's probably more like day 5-6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 How is your dd this morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorien Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 She seems much improved today. Said she’s feeling better and she’s back to playing on the iPad again. Keeping her hydrated and waiting to see what DH thinks when he gets home. For those who have been wondering, she has been staying hydrated with plenty of water and Gatorade. I’m still a little concerned about the stomach pain (and pneumonia), but our emergency ride is sick and we can only go to the ER - unless we can produce her previous medical records in which case we should be able to see the dr in about a month or two. DH (who has our van) is the better option to take us anywhere as he’s far more patient when waiting around than the emergency ride. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Watch her super closely. The father of a student my son teaches died of the flu recently. It's a scary one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorien Posted January 19, 2018 Author Share Posted January 19, 2018 DH got home early and had me call the nurses hotline. The nurse said to take her to the ER, so we’re heading into town in a few minutes. Thanks to all who replied! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkTulip Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I hope everything goes well and that your daughter is ok! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Please update if you can!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I hope everything went well in the ER. The fever that went away and came back was worrying me too. That's what happened to DH and he ended up having pneumonia. Hope your DD feels better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 I'd take her in. Tonight. Just because this year's flu is much worse than usual, and kids are getting hit hard. Over a week, very little food, returning fever....yup, take her in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorien Posted January 20, 2018 Author Share Posted January 20, 2018 She has a UTI. Fever shot up to 103 after we got here, dr decided to check everything he could and it came back positive. They gave her meds for that and have her on an IV right now. Dr ordered blood work, but it looks like the UTI is what caused the return of the fever, etc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Poor little pumpkin. I’m glad it’s not flu, though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Glad you took her in and that the doctor was able to figure out what was going on I hope she feels better soon and that you all get a good night's sleep. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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