worried - son has the flu...

[buckeyegirl]

Ok, I'm trying not to be an alarmist here. I'm a dr., I know viruses just need to run their course, yadda, yadda, yadda, but all common sense and judgement seems to fly out the window when it's my own (just like my pets - I'm a vet but when mine get sick, I totally panic)

Picked 11 year old DS up from school today - was fine this am, then acutely started feeling sick, low grade temp 99.7 and headache. Since he's been home, he's getting worse. Fever of 103.1 now, and I'm stressed.He seems to be the one in the family that gets the flu the worst.

I called the peds...of course the nurse talked to me about "now just give him lots of fluid and advil and rest, no need to panic" discussion. I asked if they are testing these kids for H1N1 - she said no unless they are non-responsive to typical treatment. Aren't people starting thera-flu type of meds at the initial onset of signs?

Am I out of control here - should I call the peds back? I know the media hype has built this flu virus up to more than maybe it deserves, but I still am concerned.

Heidi

 

[ldy_solana]

heidi sorry your little one is ill but 103 seems pretty high for a fever of typical flu is there anywhere you can take him. with this N1H1 its better to test on the safe side and get immediate treatment then to wait it out. my understanding from cases in my area that the quicker somebody gets tested and treated the better they are. we have had a few deaths already from folks with other illnesses that couldn't fight off the flu but we have to be safe.

kassia

 

[Liann]

I'm with Kassia. That's a high temperature and I think I would call back or take him in. My friend's daughter just came down with H1N1. They tested her right away though. She's on meds and doing fine. Looks like her other 2 are going to come down with it to though. It's out there, so I would be persistent with those docs.

 

[buckeyegirl]

But what are they putting them on other than symptomatic therapy with fever reducers, fluids, etc? Antivirals?

Heidi

 

[ldy_solana]

looked this up hope it helps

http://www.medicinenet.com/swine_flu/page3.htm#treatment

i better tell the woman at work to stay home. she has been complaining of nasal congestion and aches.

kassia

 

[hiitdogs]

My kids have had over 103 temperature, as have I. I run a fever every time I get sick and it gets high, and my kids have inherited that. Higher temperatures are pretty common in kids. I used to panic but after having raced to Urgent Care or the ER in the middle of the night and found out that all they will do is alternate Tylenol and Ibuprofen and send us home I just do the same at home. Only if they don't respond to the medication do I go to see a doc.

I don't give any meds until the fever gets high and they feel uncomfortable. But that's based on a personal belief that the fever actually helps fight of the virus.

I hope your DS feels better soon.

 

[SheWolf]

I agree with Carola. My DS had a fever of 103 this spring and the ped said just keep fluids in him and alternate ibprofen and tylenol. I also don't give meds though until the child is uncomfortable or a really high fever (drives my ped crazy). And am only concerned when the meds won't bring the fever down.

 

[buckeyegirl]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I did end up taking him to Physician's Plus mostly because his usual pediatrician was working there anyway, and I feel comfortable with him. Did the nasal swab -- negative for Influenza A which is the H1N1 type of virus. Sent home with the usual remedies as mentioned above. I brought him home and had him take a long bath. He'll stay home today to rest, and hopefully we'll move on from this.

Fingers crossed

Thanks,
Heidi

 

[ldy_solana]

heidi glad they did the test and all was fine. i'd rather be safe then sorry right now with that stuff just in case. i didn't mean to scare you or anything but if it were me i would just want to be sure b/c early intervention is the best in these current cases.

kassia

 

[Liann]

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I did end up taking him to Physician's Plus mostly because his usual pediatrician was working there anyway, and I feel comfortable with him. Did the nasal swab -- negative for Influenza A which is the H1N1 type of virus. Sent home with the usual remedies as mentioned above. I brought him home and had him take a long bath. He'll stay home today to rest, and hopefully we'll move on from this.

Fingers crossed

Thanks,
Heidi

Glad he tested negative. At least you can rest easy now knowing for sure it is not that.