WWYD in this situation - Sick Kid

[beantrees]

I think DS2 has strep throat. He started losing his voice last night and had a slight cough, but I thought it was just his allergies, bc DH and DS1 have been having trouble with theirs. He seemed fine this morning besides his voice. DC texted me at 11 saying that he had a 102.6 fever. When I got there they told me that strep throat had been going around there. DS2 pointed to his throat a few times and said "owww." So i'm thinking it's strep. 

Well, the pedi closed at 12 due to inclement weather, I left a message for the nurse on the call line, but she hasn't responded yet, and I don't think she's going to. He will be 2 on Friday, but no walk-in clinic will take him because he isn't technically 2 yet (ahh!!!). We are expecting a snowpocalypse, so I anticipate everything being closed tomorrow and possibly Friday as well. Which makes Monday the earliest anyone would probably see him. Well, I guess Sat. if there is a clinic open since by that point he will be 2.

Basically, it looks like my only options are waiting it out or going to the ER. Or possibly traveling 40+ miles to another walk-in clinic, I'm not sure, I haven't checked on that yet. I am not one to run to the Dr. (or especially the ER!) for a fever, but the fact that strep is going around DC makes me think that's what it is. Is anything terrible going to happen if it is strep and he isn't seen?? Would you wait it out or try to take him somewhere? 

[ashb62]

Strep can get pretty nasty if it isn't treated. I'd probably try to get him seen, especially if the nurse doesn't call you back.

[andrewsgal]

I would try to get him in somewhere today.

[cna]

I would get him in today. Strep is miserable and can get nasty fast.

[NandaB]

Is the weather bad now? Is that the issue with driving 40 miles? Because that's not really that far, especially if the alternative is making my baby suffer with strep or go get exposed to the mebola in the ER. Have you ever had strep? It sucks balls

[beantrees]

Yea, the weather is pretty bad. We're getting freezing rain right now. And it's just supposed to get worse. I did call two walk-in clinics a couple towns over and neither one will take him because he isn't 2!!! He literally will be 2 in less than 48 hours. Gah!! So frustrating. So basically my only option is the ER. I haven't had strep since I was a kid but I do remember it being painful.

The nurse did finally call me back though. She said the Dr. said the symptoms I described sounded viral (don't they always say that?!!) and to medicate with Tylenol and Motrin. Of course, there's no way to know if it's strep without swapping. So she suggested waiting it out until the morning, and if he's gotten worse to bring him in. She said that if they're closed because of the weather to call the call line again.

He does seem to be acting a lot better. I gave him some Motrin and that seemed to help. He's napping now.

[expectantsteelerfan]

I wouldn't go to the ER for that...
I'd do what the nurse line said and call the dr. in the morning if he's not any better. Most dr.'s will find some way to open even in bad weather I think.

[lattelady5]

Will the pedi prescribe anything without seeing him?

Maybe this is a dumb suggestion but isn't there an app...doctor on demand or something like that. Dr.Phil's deal...I don't know if that's even an option or anything about it but it's a thought.

I avoid the ER unless I can't. I wouldn't go there for strep if I could get in to the doctor in a day or so. There's just so much other crap that is easily picked up there.

[lala]

Is another peds office you could call to see for an emergency sick visit?

Nanda, 40 miles is far! Its relative, I know.

[NandaB]

Mar 4, 2015 16:23:47 GMT -5 lala said:

Is another peds office you could call to see for an emergency sick visit?

Nanda, 40 miles is far! Its relative, I know.

Well, yea. If its an issue of dangerous weather. But then our pedi is 30 miles away, so we're used to it. If I only went to businesses w/in a 10 mile radius my choices would be minimart, gas, post office, and, um hole in the wall Mexican restaurant.

Oh, and can't forget the medical marijuana dispensary

[andrewsgal]

Mar 4, 2015 16:32:19 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Mar 4, 2015 16:23:47 GMT -5 lala said:

Is another peds office you could call to see for an emergency sick visit?

Nanda, 40 miles is far! Its relative, I know.

Well, yea. If its an issue of dangerous weather. But then our pedi is 30 miles away, so we're used to it. If I only went to businesses w/in a 10 mile radius my choices would be minimart, gas, post office, and, um hole in the wall Mexican restaurant.

Oh, and can't forget the medical marijuana dispensary

I am moving by you ?

[lala]

I couldn't even list all of the things within 3 miles of me. Totally different world!

[beantrees]

Mar 4, 2015 16:32:19 GMT -5 NandaB said:

Mar 4, 2015 16:23:47 GMT -5 lala said:

Is another peds office you could call to see for an emergency sick visit?

Nanda, 40 miles is far! Its relative, I know.

Well, yea. If its an issue of dangerous weather. But then our pedi is 30 miles away, so we're used to it. If I only went to businesses w/in a 10 mile radius my choices would be minimart, gas, post office, and, um hole in the wall Mexican restaurant.

Oh, and can't forget the medical marijuana dispensary

This is actually exactly what we have. Minus the marijuana place. 

Yea, I really do not want to go to the ER. I tried calling the Nurse Practitioner that DH sees. But she's closed as well. 

[andrewsgal]

Mar 4, 2015 16:53:11 GMT -5 lala said:

I couldn't even list all of the things within 3 miles of me. Totally different world!

Lol I would love to live there. In three miles we have houses, a neighborhood, golf course and pool. That's it.

[NandaB]

When I moved to long beach I was amazed and mystified that I could walk a couple blocks to sttarbucks, shops, grocery store, liquor store, the beach ...........

[NandaB]

Mar 4, 2015 16:53:11 GMT -5 lala said:

I couldn't even list all of the things within 3 miles of me. Totally different world!

3 miles would be the post office, forest ranger station, Abbey(forgot them earlier), my parents house(do.they count? We are on their ranch)

[Kcthepouchh8r]

In maybe a ten minute walk I can be to a sushi restaurant, two pizza places (one with the most amazing sandwiches with homemade bread), a large convenience store, kids school with big playground and a ice cream shop. I would die without living near a city. Die.

[beantrees]

Short Update -

We received about 1-2 inches of ice last night and... 18ish inches of SNOW!!! Considering we had 12 inches (and it was the most I had ever seen in my entire life) a couple of weeks ago and everywhere shut down for about a week, I doubt we will be able to make it anywhere.

You can tell his throat still hurts but he doesn't have a fever and is acting pretty normally. I am hoping the Dr. was right and it's just a virus, because we are stuck here.

[beantrees]

DUP

[Kcthepouchh8r]

Mar 5, 2015 8:17:08 GMT -5 beantrees said:

Short Update -

We received about 1-2 inches of ice last night and... 18ish inches of SNOW!!! Considering we had 12 inches (and it was the most I had ever seen in my entire life) a couple of weeks ago and everywhere shut down for about a week, I doubt we will be able to make it anywhere.

You can tell his throat still hurts but he doesn't have a fever and is acting pretty normally. I am hoping the Dr. was right and it's just a virus, because we are stuck here.

Glad he is better today!