How often has your child been in hospital?

Dravokivich · 18-01-2019 2:24pm

[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 · 18-01-2019 2:33pm

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 · 18-01-2019 2:41pm

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

shesty · 18-01-2019 2:45pm

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 · 18-01-2019 2:57pm

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 · 18-01-2019 2:58pm

shesty wrote: »

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

Yes to this and plenty of liquids

cyning · 18-01-2019 5:08pm

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 · 18-01-2019 5:34pm

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 · 18-01-2019 6:15pm

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 · 18-01-2019 6:51pm

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 · 18-01-2019 6:57pm

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 · 18-01-2019 6:59pm

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 · 18-01-2019 7:52pm

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 · 18-01-2019 8:04pm

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 · 18-01-2019 8:53pm

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 · 18-01-2019 9:09pm

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 · 18-01-2019 9:23pm

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 · 18-01-2019 9:54pm

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 · 18-01-2019 10:56pm

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 · 19-01-2019 8:35pm

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.

catrionanic · 19-01-2019 8:56pm

That doesn't sound at all right to me. That's a crazy amount of hospital visits. My two kids are 2, and 3 months. We have never had an A&E visit (thank god).

CeNedra · 19-01-2019 10:10pm

I have 3 kids. 11 years and younger. 2 have never been to hospital. 1 was in hospital for a month when she was 5, almost 6. Viral Meningitis followed by ADEM. Google it, scared the sh1t out of us. Completely lost the use of herself and was in a lot of discomfort. 4 years later and I still get upset when I think of what she went through and I always tell people about it so they can watch out for symptoms. Until we got transferred to Crumlin ... the local doctors hadn’t a clue. Only 2 cases a year of ADEM in Ireland on average. I am delighted to say I haven’t been back at hospital with kids since her neurologist discharged her. Hospital is there for when it’s needed but I can tell you, I would be asking serious questions if I was there every week. Hospital is where bugs lurk and I stay well away with kids as much as possible.

lazygal · 21-01-2019 8:40am

Three children, zero hospital visits.

pwurple · 21-01-2019 12:58pm

100 hospital visits in 6 months is astronomical. Are you being admitted every time in hospital, or being triaged and sent home again mostly? You mention one admission for bronchiolitis. Are the rest stays?

Are you seeing the same GP every time?

Time to request a review of medical history. That is bananas. People saying that's normal... it's definitely not. Could be some underlying issue there.

shesty · 21-01-2019 2:15pm

Must also be costing you a fortune OP.Unless you are getting a GP referral for every visit.In which case I would be questioning the GP.

Midnight Sundance · 26-01-2019 11:23am

I find gps are referring to a and e a lot lately. We ended up in a and e 4 times in less than 2 months and all referrals from doctor . Every time he was triaged and sent home again.
Felt like they were at the “you’re here again “ stage but we never “choose”’to bring him. The doctor told us to go. I think they are afraid to make a call nowadays in case they are wrong and get sued or something.

Digs · 26-01-2019 12:18pm

pwurple wrote: »

100 hospital visits in 6 months is astronomical. Are you being admitted every time in hospital, or being triaged and sent home again mostly? You mention one admission for bronchiolitis. Are the rest stays?

Are you seeing the same GP every time?

Time to request a review of medical history. That is bananas. People saying that's normal... it's definitely not. Could be some underlying issue there.

Have to agree, that is an insane amount of visits!!

Eldest is 6 in April. She was in at 8 months for viral meningitis, a visit when she was 3 for a burst eardrum (on Paddy’s day so GP was closed!) and one a few days later for a severe allergic reaction which turns out was to the antibiotics. So 3 times for her.
Second is 3 in June and she was in once at 2 months for whooping cough.
Third is only 10 weeks.

In general they are very “well” kids and very rarely get sick but our GP is brilliant, if she refered them to A&E we’d know it was essential.

iamwhoiam · 26-01-2019 12:21pm

6 months is 180 days . The child has been 100 times in 180 days ? That's every second day for 6 months ??
OP you need a new GP

cherryghost · 27-01-2019 1:51am

Midnight Sundance wrote: »

I find gps are referring to a and e a lot lately. We ended up in a and e 4 times in less than 2 months and all referrals from doctor . Every time he was triaged and sent home again.
Felt like they were at the “you’re here again “ stage but we never “choose”’to bring him. The doctor told us to go. I think they are afraid to make a call nowadays in case they are wrong and get sued or something.

Yep we got sent to A&E because the doctor wasn't happy with our daughters hips at 8 months. Waste of time. And the doctor kept insisting at 10 to go again. Again no problem. At 12 months we're told to pediatrics. Waste of time. The pediatrician was very happy with her development.

We're not happy with our doctor to be honest at this stage as she doesn't really seem to give a **** about anything we talk to her about. So in my case, in my opinion, is down to doctor malpractice

awec · 28-01-2019 7:24pm

If the GP just kept referring to hospital I'd get a new GP.

How often has your child been in hospital?

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