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Posted: 26 October 2006 at 5:56pm | IP Logged

Im getting quite concerned about Joshua. We are both feeling very much under the weather, and last night he was running a fever of 39+ most of the night and up complaining of a head ache and wanting to be in the dark ( I had the light on to see to him) I assumed he had a head ache, with a bit of a head cold.

When Joshua is ill he goes off savory foods but eats yoghurts and and things all day long, also doesnt stop drinking. Today I cant get him to eat anything. Ive opened yoghurts for him, left them on the side so not pushing him and he has left them so Ive thrown loads out. ive offered drinks and made him drinks but i think he has had a quarter if beaker of milk all day.

I suggested dinner and he got very upset, said he wanted breakfast. So i made him some cereal (better than nothing) but when I put it on the table he got upset said he was too tired. He has a mad energy rush lasting about 10 mins soon after the calpol but after that he just lies on my bed or the sofa.. or just now he just dropped to the floor and lay there for 15 minutes.

I know when you're ill you dont feel much like anything, but he needs to have more fluids at least and Ive no idea how to encourage him anymore. ive given him an ice lolly which he just left to melt.

His temperature has stayed down most of the day, not going over 38 anyway but he is having regular calpol. Ive offered him fruitshoots, smoothies, milk, juice.. a big boy cup (my winnie glass lol) but he just doesnt want anything. Also tried yoghurts, bananas, raisins, crisps, savory snacks and he just isnt interested.

How long should I leave it before actually worrying about his fluid intake? I know it doesnt really matter how much food he gets while he is ill, but drinks are important.

Posted: 26 October 2006 at 7:06pm | IP Logged

General rule of thumb tends to be 12-24 hours of no drinking and call the doc out.  Do the pinch test on the back of his hand, if it springs back straight away hes hydrated, if it takes a while to spring back hes dehydrated.

Phone NHS direct, but they will probably tell you to take him up to a&e just to check.  With his temp being calpol controlled its always best to get it checked.  Kids can go days without eating...or eating little, as long as they drink.

Give them a ring, cant do any harm.