How often has your child been in hospital?

2Mad2BeMad

Hi all,

My son who is now 14months old has gone to hospital at least once a week on average since his birth. Been kept in for 2 days only on 1 occasion.
He seems to be sick every week he would have a few good days where there is nothing wrong then bam he would fall ill.

Thankfully nothing too serious.
He had bronculus?(butchering the spelling)
A few times which was what kept him in for the 2 days.
But generally all other hospital visits are because he has a (viral infection) as the doctors put it.
He's currently ill at the moment for the last 3 weeks he's been on steroids and anti biotics and only today have we noticed an improvement but as a side effect of the antibiotics according to the doctor we just left 5 minutes ago he now has blisters all over his mouth which he has had the past 2 days. He refuses to eat and drinks very little because of this and I know for a fact we will end up in hospital again over the weekend because of this.

I feel like I'm losing my mind. We must of been to the hospital/doctors at least over 100times since his birth and 9times out of 10 there is nothing they can do. We had to see the doctor 6 times in the last 2weeks and finally he caved in a gave us steroids and anti biotics.
It's at the stage now when we bring him to tallaght hospital a certain nurse gets angry at us and says "What's wrong with him now...."
I can't help it if my child is always ill but I do feel like we're wasting our time bringing him to a hospital which generally tells us it's viral and that we have to wait it out.
It's easy for them but my kid has been up all night the last 3 weeks crying in pain.

Sorry there's a small rant in there I'm just curious if anyone else has been through something similar

Subacio

First two kids have never been, but number 3 had a visit every 6 months for the first 3 years of his life. All visits were unconnected.

He had heart surgery at 10 days old. There were a couple of concussions and a febrile convulsion at various stages too. Another was an allergic reaction to orange Calpol (body covered in a massive rash).

In the last 10 years he's only been once (for a trampoline/football related injury).

Someday will be your last visit to A&E. You won't know it at the time, but you will look back and say thanks to your God that you haven't been back since.

2Mad2BeMad

His temperature is 39.4 were rushing him to hospital his clothes are stripped off the past hour.

Call me Al

That's the worst I've ever heard to be honest. I've only really noticed an uptick in general childhood illnesses (viral and otherwise) amongst acquaintances once babies start in childcare.
And your medical professionals are right ... if its viral there's nothing they can do. They can try to treat complications that might develop as a consequence though, although I'd have thought the gp would be just as effective for this as trekking to Tallaght A&E all the time.

2Mad2BeMad

Call me Al wrote: »

That's the worst I've ever heard to be honest. I've only really noticed an uptick in general childhood illnesses (viral and otherwise) amongst acquaintances once babies start in childcare.
And your medical professionals are right ... if its viral there's nothing they can do. They can try to treat complications that might develop as a consequence though, although I'd have thought the gp would be just as effective for this as trekking to Tallaght A&E all the time.

We go to the gp. They always refer us to the hospital.

Martina1991

When the doctors say its viral, have they ever tried to identify what virus it is?

2Mad2BeMad

Martina1991 wrote: »

When the doctors say its viral, have they ever tried to identify what virus it is?

Never. It's just viral and we do ask but we get a shrug of the shoulders as a response.

2Mad2BeMad

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

His temperature is 39.4 were rushing him to hospital his clothes are stripped off the past hour.

Really hope you get the care you need at the hospital.

PhoenixParker

39.4 isn't that high in a 14 month old, certainly not enough to warrant a hospital visit (absent other indicators of distress/serious illness)

I'd give paracetamol and if it doesnt come down call my GP.

Foweva Awone

Could you ask your GP to refer you to a paediatric consultant? The A&E doctors will only deal with the emergency situation as and when it presents itself, you need someone who can take an objective long-term view. Instead of just looking to stabilise and discharge him.

2Mad2BeMad

39.5 now. This is every week his immune system must be very bad for it to be so often

Loveinapril

Is he in a creche? Two of my friends have their little ones in creche and they have both had a stream of antibiotics and hospital visits. My little fella is 14 months and he has never been in. He has had a couple of minor viral infections and had thrush in his mouth but has never been on antibiotics. It seems like he is unusual in my circle of friends who have kids.

daheff

eldest was only in for allergy testing & finger xray (caught in creche door!!)

youngest was in for stitches & got a bug and stopped eating/drinking for >24hours, so went in to have her checked out. (she was 2 at the time -don't want people to think we overreacted)

all were fine..even the stitches were only paper (and she took them off the same day!!)

2Mad2BeMad

PhoenixParker wrote: »

39.4 isn't that high in a 14 month old, certainly not enough to warrant a hospital visit (absent other indicators of distress/serious illness)

He's limp eyes open but not moving and 39.4 is certainly high in a 14month old

Edit. He's only out of the gp over an over ago.
It was an emergency appointment there fully booked out all week.

Call me Al

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

His temperature is 39.4 were rushing him to hospital his clothes are stripped off the past hour.

And how does it respond to Calpol and Nurofen?

It is a lot of medical care. I can understand why you're so distressed.

2Mad2BeMad

Loveinapril wrote: »

Is he in a creche? Two of my friends have their little ones in creche and they have both had a stream of antibiotics and hospital visits. My little fella is 14 months and he has never been in. He has had a couple of minor viral infections and had thrush in his mouth but has never been on antibiotics. It seems like he is unusual in my circle of friends who have kids.

He is in a creche. The last 6 months as we both work
But hasn't been in the creche since the Xmas break.

2Mad2BeMad

Call me Al wrote: »

And how does it respond to Calpol and Nurofen?

It is a lot of medical care. I can understand why you're so distressed.

He won't take calpol or Nurofen cause of the blisters in his mouth recently. We gave him a paralink 180mg but he's not due it again until 1.30 so I can't give him anything medicine wise to cool him down.

Martina1991

Is he up to date with all his vaccinations? 6 in 1, MMR etc?

iamwhoiam

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

He won't take calpol or Nurofen cause of the blisters in his mouth recently. We gave him a paralink 180mg but he's not due it again until 1.30 so I can't give him anything medicine wise to cool him down.

You can get Nurofen suppositories in a chemist . Nurofen is much more affective on a temp above 38.5

2Mad2BeMad

iamwhoiam wrote: »

You can get Nurofen suppositories in a chemist . Nurofen is much more affective on a temp above 38.5

Thanks.
We have them il try them when he's due

whiskeyman

That sounds so hard OP.
Are the infections specific to an area, like ears or throat?
We had constant ear infections and grommits helped.
I can't imagine what you've gone through.
Hope you're little one gets over these nasty bouts. It's not a great time of the year for them.

2Mad2BeMad

Martina1991 wrote: »

Is he up to date with all his vaccinations? 6 in 1, MMR etc?

All bar his 13month ones as he's been too sick nurse refuses to give them when he's sick but in saying that he's been sick with fevers when he was getting his previous ones.

whiskeyman

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Thanks.
We have them il try them when he's due

Pretty sure you can give them earlier than waiting for paracetamol.
Double check, but I remember using them in tandem with the others and it worked a treat.
Also, try get some water in. I know it's hard with blisters, but you really have to try.
I'm sure you know all this though.

iamwhoiam

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Thanks.
We have them il try them when he's due

If he hasn't had any Nurofen at all today you can give it now . Regardless of when the Paralink is due as they are not the same family

2Mad2BeMad

whiskeyman wrote: »

Pretty sure you can give them earlier than waiting for paracetamol.
Double check, but I remember using them in tandem with the others and it worked a treat.
Also, try get some water in. I know it's hard with blisters, but you really have to try.
I'm sure you know all this though.

We're in the hospital at the moment so I don't think we can give him anything unless the docs say so. There gone off to get him Nurofen and calpol they want us to try that first but I know he won't take it.
Funny enough he actually will drink water no problem not loads but will when he's thirsty it doesnt seem to hurt him


Il reply in a while. Cheers everyone for the help il let yous know the outcome

MAJJ

My son used to get similar extremely high temps and sometimes higher related to ENT ear issues.

It's very worrying but below is our experience.

We would always try both nurefen and calpol, cooling down, dabbing with water, even driving in car with windows down as our gp suggested. All being careful not to cause shock with extremes. Paralink was the quickest and most effective option. We would go to our GP and in rare occasions to on call care doc. To ensure we were doing all we could do, despite trying to avoid by all, antibiotics were often used and alternated but we all held off until necessary.
We never went to AE with this.

PhoenixParker

PhoenixParker wrote: »

39.4 isn't that high in a 14 month old, certainly not enough to warrant a hospital visit (absent other indicators of distress/serious illness)

I'd give paracetamol and if it doesnt come down call my GP.

Agreed.

Neurophen can be used too.


I remember getting a fright before when one of ours had 40.1C, but managed to get it down below 38.5 with calpol and neurophen.

Paralink is a suppository that contains paracetemol. Good for getting a high temp down quickly.

Wildly Boaring

Our first was hardly at the doc nevermind hospital.

No 2 did a week in PICU in crumlin over Christmas. Bronchiolitis in CUH, seizures, stopped breathing. Onto ventilator for a week.

4 viruses and pneumonia

All good now.

39.5 is high and I'd be great believer in trusting your instincts. If anything else off I'd be straight in myself.

mloc123

PhoenixParker wrote: »

39.4 isn't that high in a 14 month old, certainly not enough to warrant a hospital visit (absent other indicators of distress/serious illness)

I'd give paracetamol and if it doesnt come down call my GP.

Capol and Nurofen and see if it drops... I would not be running to hospital every time my son has a high temp. 3.5yrs and luckily we have never had to head to A&E

whiskeyman

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

39.5 is high and I'd be great believer in trusting your instincts. If anything else off I'd be straight in myself.

This is key. Always trust your instincts.
I know some advice mentioned here, but no one knows your baby better than you at the end of the day.
If you feel something is wrong, get help. Peace of mind is worth it.
Really hope you get over this phase OP. Best of luck

com1

I know this wont help now but I would be looking to change my GP - your current one does not seem to be too proactive, just referring you to A&E at the drop of a hat. You need someone who will try to get to the root cause of the issues or at least refer you to a specialist and not just A&E.

Dravokivich

[MOD]

Op if you're looking to measure the quality of care your child is getting, you'll need to approach a GP about it. Whatever reason you need so much assistance, isn't really something any one here can quantify.

Is there anything else you are looking to discuss in the topic, as it's kinda tip toeing the line of medical advice. I wouldn't want to close this out too early on you though.

seamus

Number 2 was brought to A&E after she fell down the stairs at 13 months. She was fine, I said it wasn't necessary, but my wife her mother went anyway, they sat in A&E for 3 hours before coming home again without being seen.

That's it.

It does sound to me OP like either you're too quick to run to A&E or your GP is too quick to send you.

Googling symptoms is a quick way to panic yourself, but that doesn't mean you should avoid the Internet entirely. Stick to offical advice sites like:

http://undertheweather.ie/symptom/my-child-has-a-temperature#.XEHSE1yeTSQ

39.4 is high, but not enough to warrant a hospital trip. Or even a GP trip. Do not strip children down when they have a temperature, you're only prolonging it. Do not put them in a cool bath, or do anything to try and cool them down. A fever is necessary, it is the body doing what it is supposed to do. By fighting the fever, you just make the immune system work twice as hard.

A study carried out in hospitals in the UK found that patients where they intervened when the temperature breached 39 degrees, recovered more slowly (or not at all) when compared to patients where they did nothing at all.
It was only when the temperature broke 40 degrees that intervention aided recovery.

He refuses to eat and drinks very little because of this and I know for a fact we will end up in hospital again over the weekend because of this.

How much of this is a self-fulfilling prophecy? Why would you be in hospital because he's refusing to eat and drink? Whatever about a child who you cannot rouse enough to get them to eat, if it's just a case that he's turning his head or pushing the food away, then the hospital can't do anything for you. If he's on an absolute shutdown, then make it high-value food. Pizza and chips for five days is better than nothing. Sugar water is better than nothing.
And unless he's severely underweight, then not eating very much for 4 or 5 days isn't a medical emergency.

While obviously I don't know the ins and outs of what you've experienced, from the description in your original post, it does sound to me like you're just far too quick to drop everything and run to the hospital. What you describe sounds like your son has been sick a frustratingly huge number of times, but it's not outside the norm.

PhoenixParker

If you haven't already OP, I would consider doing an infant and child first aid course.

shesty

OP....you probably need to either look at a new GP, or look again at your approach.

My three have all been sick since just after xmas.Two younger had vomiting (a terrible dose of it),older had an ear infection, viral infection involving rising temp in a two year old, just as you describe, hand foot and mouth (blisters in aforementioned locations) in the two younger.There has been one visit to Temple St, and that was with the eight month old baby-and only because there were no emergency GP appointments left, and he wasn't taking in liquid and he's so young.(and I wanted a doctor to make sure it wasn't gastro, I was unsure if it was tonsillitis-and when he puked all over me just in the hospital doors, my question was actually answered).We have visited the doctor several times, and had two antibiotics, one for the four year old's ear infection (straightforward) and one for the rising temp-which was given as the doctor felt she had such a low immune system after the vomiting, she wasn't able to fight off the virus herself and it may have been becoming a chest infection.

You do seem to be going to the hospital an above average amount of times, so it probably is time to think about it a bit...either a new GP or else why don't you question the hospital?Why don't you ask them when they suggest you should come in?I mean they won't tell you NOT to come in but they might give you some pointers on when it could be ok to wait a bit longer or try something else first.

However there is one major thing I always find is huge to help kids recover well from any infections....sleep.Sleep, sleep, sleep.As much as they can get whenever they can get it.The body heals when it sleeps, and you need to always keep that in mind.To me, it practically as important as the food/liquid thing.

Sniipe

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

We must of been to the hospital/doctors at least over 100times since his birth

That seems like a huge number.

my 2 cents

I would start logging it at this stage and ensure that your doctor knows how often you have been.
What I started to do was to create a whatsapp group with my wife and I can call it medical. In there I would log when we give calpol/nurofen/antibiotics/etc. I would also log any vaccinations and trips to the doctors. It might be useful especially in knowing how much meds have been given.
With really high temperatures we had no issues giving both calpol and nurofen at the same time as long as the children weren't over the limit in either.
Creche can cause a lot of doctor visits and especially at this time of year.
You are having a really hard time.
Other things:
Try and limit the child's interaction with other sick kids. Be it at home or visiting people.
Ask the creche to make sure that other sick kids in his room are sent home if they are too sick.
Also ask the creche to clean the surfaces and toys.
One thing my mum told me was to look at your home environment; is it getting enough ventilation, is there mould anywhere in the play areas or bedroom.
Food quality will help build up a good immune system. Lots of fresh fruit and veg.
Some pro biotics after a course of antibiotics might help also.

Sniipe

shesty wrote: »

...sleep.Sleep, sleep, sleep.As much as they can get

Yes to this and plenty of liquids

cyning

Having had the sick child with frequent admissions to hosp, I would wonder at the frequency.... like if you are there every week (and we were in docs 50 times in 52 weeks, but we had multiple inpatient stays for IV antibiotics), can you see where the triggers are for more serious infections? I do my level best to avoid antibiotics: docs overprescribing them will help nothing. Like nothing would send me to doc with a 39 temp unless there was something else serious going on: dry nappies completely lethargic etc. Our GP might have seen us A few days in a row where hosp was borderline to keep us out of it.

Does your thermometer read the same as in your GPs?

My little one had frequent bacterial infections as well as viral infections: have you had confirmed bacterial infections... Like pneumonia not bronchitis, scarlet fever etc... these are the worrying ones not the viral colds etc. But I mean pneumonia doesn’t even phase me these days it’s just a sickness they get meds all is good.

Have you talked to GP about the correct doses of neurofen and calpol and how frequently they can be given?

Also if you are in a&e and docs so often they will be exposed to other infections and then they will pick that up.

I suppose if you are still worried a Paed referral or a referral to a specialist is the next stop, but quite honestly I’m totally shocked this hasn’t happened already.

angeldelight

A lot more than I would like but she has a chronic kidney condition - we’ve spent almost a week as inpatients three times, been to A&E maybe 10 times and she’s had 5 or 6 surgical day cases.

Maybe a change of GP if yours is sending you to A&E every week as they should be able to differentiate between a really sick child who needs hospital and an unwell one who can be safely managed at home!!

mirrorwall14

The biggest teller with temperatures is not how high is is (unless above 40), it’s how the child is. If the child/baby is not themselves, can’t be roused, won’t talk, screaming crying incessantly (and it’s not colic) etc that’s far more important a medical indicator than the number on the stick. If they don’t return to closer to normal behaviour after calpol/neurofen then you need to see a doc urgently. If they are up and mobile and chatty with a 39.5 temp then they’re probably fine

Four year old has been in a and e three times in his life, twice for uncontrollable temp-both times they checked his weight limits, massively increased the dosages, got him under control and sent him home. Third time was a terrible strep throat and got him antibiotics as well as increased doses on painkillers. I was furious because I’d seen a locum gp that morning who had belittled me for holding his arms so that he could check his throat properly. Obviously he didn’t look right at all because the A and E doc said the blisters and pus werep running down his throat. I was livid! His temp had gone over 40 and was uncontrollable by then hence a and e. Couple of trips to doc and Kdoc for strep throat too. It was always throat with him.

Three month old has been once to Tallaght with a bad cough/nose and temp at just 5 weeks but I was doing everything right and they shipped us back out with a warning to come right back in if his behaviour changed or fluids dropped much lower. With a lot of work we managed to keep him hydrated until he kicked it. He’s also been to Kdoc once after screaming and screaming until he was hoarse. Couldn’t figure out what was going on so went in desperation. Felt awful when they found a double ear infection and throat but he hadn’t run a temperature at all so we assumed he was fine! Antibiotic for a week needed.

TheValeyard

mloc123 wrote: »

Capol and Nurofen and see if it drops... I would not be running to hospital every time my son has a high temp. 3.5yrs and luckily we have never had to head to A&E

If it doesn't drop or increase again shortly after, straight to Crumlin. I say this as someone who's two year old and spent near four months in total in hospital. (various things unrelated. Real sh*tty run of bad luck)


Edit: I take it they have taken bloods OP?

Peatys

2Mad2BeMad wrote: »

Never. It's just viral and we do ask but we get a shrug of the shoulders as a response.

Is it treated like it's the first time ever time? Or are you getting continual care?
We've nothing like your lad, but my 4yr old has had stuffy sinuses since birth, and last visit to the gp my wife lost her temper when the doc prescribed a treatment for the fourth or fifth time. She told her to look up our daughters history, and only then did the doc take it seriously.

TheValeyard

I'd also add that a parents intuition should be listened to. If you feel something's not right. Get it seem to.

The Princess Bride

OP.
I'm somewhat reluctant to even post this, lest I upset you or someone else jumps down my throat, but here goes.

I've a background in paediatric and neonatal nursing. Plus I'm a parent, so 3 decades of experience here.

To be brutally honest, if a parent is attending either a GP or an A&E this often, then something is wrong.
Either a contributing factor in their child's environment, an underlying illness not yet identified, an issue with either parent or an issue with the assessment by the professionals.
It really is as simple as this.

There is always a reason for a child being sick.
Always.
And when a parent is told-"it's a virus"- that's because it usually is.
And there are thousands of unidentified viruses out there that aren't named. And mother nature can take time.

Bottom line.
No child should be attending a hospital/GP that often without a reason. And I can't believe an alarm bell isn't going off somewhere with the professionals.

As for posters talking about high temperatures not being an issue.
Jeez.
Very young children are susceptible to febrile convulsions with very high temperatures.
If you've not seen one, it's very scary. I've seen dozens and to date, if I see an infant/toddler with a high temperature, I act immediately to get it down- best be preventative.

My motto in life, if in doubt, shout!

TheValeyard

The Princess Bride wrote: »

My motto in life, if in doubt, shout!

Definitely. Been in a situation of a toddler having high temps, no other symptoms. Just high temps, no rash, spots, runny nose, cough or anything like that. Brought to hospital as my other half felt something was not right. Took bloods, crp was crazy high. Did a lumber puncture and diagnosed meningitis. Zero symptoms. Just high temps. Luckily to catch it so early!

Moonbeam

4 kids we have never been to A&E, 2 have had stitches in their faces but done at doctors/out of hours surgery.
The youngest (4) has never been to a doctor,the 6 year old has been there twice,the 8 year old twice and the 10 year old about 5 times.
That doesn't mean a lot though,my 1st stop is always the pharmacy and we are lucky that my kids never have more then a cough or a cold,some kids are regularly sick and they need medical attention.

Eds

Some kids just get very high temps. DD regularly had temps in the 40+ region that were not all that responsive to meds at that age. She also suffered from extended periods of vomiting resulting in dehydration. TBH after the first visit to A&E by ambulance from the Gp surgery we figured out what worked for her. Strict dosing of meds to the schedule minimizing the time between doses and ensuring she got the max of calpol and nurofen in every 24 hour period she was ill. We also used a fan to help keep her cool. For the dehydration we would syringe 2.5 ml of fluid in to her every 5 minutes even when she continued to vomit it around the clock.

We've had those blisters in the mouth and down the throat thing, what worked here was to feed her ice cream/yoghurt etc. 45 minutes after meds when pain was at lowest.

She's now 8.5 and has been to a&e 3 times, twice viral, once serious bacterial infection. We have been told to go to a&e by out of hours etc many times more but have gone with our gut and kept her at home when they have suggested viral.

I've since learned, as she also suffers from tonsillitis and ear infections regularly, that actually her temps tend be much lower with bacterial infections.

The good news is she outgrew the viral infections (largely) and is a really good little patient now.

I think you need to get a private referral to discuss your child's overall health (we did this and it was reassuring) and separately find a way to treat your child's viral illnesses at home.

bee06

I’d be looking for any gp if I were you. My 13 month old has never been in hospital and never been to the gp for anything except vaccinations.

Eds

whiskeyman wrote: »

Pretty sure you can give them earlier than waiting for paracetamol.
Double check, but I remember using them in tandem with the others and it worked a treat.
Also, try get some water in. I know it's hard with blisters, but you really have to try.
I'm sure you know all this though.

We were advised to follow a schedule to the letter e.g.

08:00 nurofen and calpol
12:00 calpol
16:00 nurofen
20:00 calpol
24:00 nurofen
04:00 calpol
Etc.

That way you are hitting the max of each for 24hours and spacing the doses evenly while staying within the dosage time range of each. It does help a lot but you can't miss even one or you are chasing your tail. We have often set the clock at night to get the doses.

threetrees

I would try to get a referral to a specialist, that amount of illness is not right. I worry so much when my lot are sick, I'd be a wreck if any were sick so often, you must be exhausted!

I also did the Calpol/nurofen alternating every 4 hours like the previous poster suggested. Bear in mind that feet and hands can be cold wth high temps so socks and gloves are sometimes needed.

I hope you find answers soon, because "just viral" isn't an answer at this stage.

Roesy

I have 3 kids, the eldest is 5. We’ve only had one trip to the hospital and that involved a 3 night stay for our almost 3 year old, due to pneumonia. They’ve had the usual colds/coughs and vomiting bugs and my eldest is prone to very high temperatures when she is anyway ill. We’ve always managed to treat them at home though have sought medical advice a couple of times when it’s gone on for more than a couple of days. All three have spent time in crèche and I definitely found they picked up a lot of things in the first couple of months there but that seemed to level off. OP, you sound like you’ve all been through the mill. I’d definitely ask for a referral to a paediatrician at this stage. That’s a lot of GP and hospital visits.