Seeking Clarity on My Children's Illness
Hello everyone, I'm reaching out regarding my two children, who initially showed distinct symptoms but are now presenting similar issues. I have a feeling they might have contracted something new. We reside in England. My youngest is 1.5 years old, while my older child is over 4. The younger one developed a cold that escalated into an infection, leading to a prescription for amoxicillin on Monday. His symptoms included a high fever, mucus in the back of the nose that caused a lot of coughing, and initially, a significant amount of nasal discharge. Meanwhile, the older sibling seemed fine during this time, only experiencing a little nasal congestion. However, when we picked them up from nursery on Friday (they both go to the same daycare but are in different age groups), my eldest had a concerning fever of 39.7°C. We gave him Calpol and put him to bed. On Saturday at 2 AM, the youngest experienced vomiting. The morning of Saturday seemed more promising, but by the afternoon, the elder child’s fever returned forcefully, and he ended up vomiting his lunch. Later that evening, the youngest also vomited again, although it appeared to be mostly water or stomach acid. This morning, the oldest had a similar episode. Currently, neither child can keep anything down. They managed to drink some water, but approximately half an hour later, it was brought back up—again, just a clear liquid. I'm uncertain if these symptoms are connected. It feels like they may have acquired a stomach virus in addition to their cold. This situation is unfamiliar to me, and I would greatly appreciate any insights. For precaution, I plan to take them to A&E in a few hours. Thank you for any advice!
Answers (1)
7/27/2025, 7:01:47 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear that your children are feeling unwell. It's understandable to be concerned, especially when facing multiple symptoms. Based on what you've described, it does seem like they may have contracted separate illnesses, potentially a respiratory illness followed by a gastrointestinal issue, which can sometimes occur alongside viral infections.
Here's a breakdown of the situation and what to consider:
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Distinct Illnesses: Your youngest's cold has been escalating into a bacterial infection treated with antibiotics, while your older child may have caught a viral infection, possibly from the same environment.
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Symptoms to Monitor: The fever, nasal congestion, vomiting, and inability to keep fluids down may indicate a viral infection. The vomiting, especially when accompanied by fever in both children, could suggest a gastrointestinal virus, especially if there’s also a history of exposure at daycare.
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Identifying Serious Symptoms: Not being able to keep any fluids down can quickly lead to dehydration, especially in young children. Watch for signs like dry mouth, lack of tears, or decreased urine output.
Immediate Steps to Take:
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Hydration: Encourage them to take small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution (like Dioralyte). This can help prevent dehydration, which is a serious concern with vomiting and fever.
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Temperature Management: Continue giving Calpol as needed for fever and discomfort. Ensure they are dressed comfortably and maintain a cool room to help manage their temperature.
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Rest: Allow them to rest as much as possible to aid recovery.
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Observe Symptoms: Track if new symptoms develop, such as persistent vomiting (more than 3 times in a short period), severe abdominal pain, extreme lethargy, or signs of dehydration.
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Plan for A&E: You mentioned planning to go to A&E. Given that both children are not keeping anything down easily and have high fevers, this is a good decision. The medical staff can provide further evaluation, rehydration if necessary, and supportive care.
It's very understandable to feel overwhelmed by this situation, but you're taking the right steps by being proactive about their health. Please keep us updated on how they're doing after your visit.
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