My 7 yr old son hasn't been feeling well this week. He started Sat night with a bad sore throat and stomachache. The sore throat lasted until Tuesday, then seemed to turn into a bit of a head cold. He's been sneezing and coughing since Tuesday night. The sore throat is gone, but the stomachache is still present on and off. He pooped a lot of times yesterday, but said it was "regular poop". He normally only poops once a day. Up until today, he's been pretty active and going about his regular business. Today he's been complaining a lot of the stomachache. I've asked him to describe it and he says it feels weird. He says he doesn't feel like he's going to throw up, it just hurts. He's not had a fever this whole time, nor any vomiting or diarrhea.
Our neighbors/friends had strep throat run through their whole house last week, and my son was around them last Tuesday night (before they knew it was strep). But he didn't start feeling sick until Saturday night. Plus they all had high fevers and diarrhea. One of them had a rash. My son hasn't had any of those symptoms. His throat looks a little bit red, but no pus pockets or white spots or anything.
I am debating calling the pediatrician. There would be no debate if we were still on an HMO. I always erred on the side of caution in the past, and would take my kids in for peace of mind. Half of the time, they had something viral. However, now that we're on a PPO and each visit is $70.00, it not so easy to just rush them in every time they get something.
Does this sound viral to you? Does it sound like strep? I realize that none of you are doctors, I'm just hoping for some opinions to help me decide. TIA!
Thanks all! Well, about an hour after I posted this, he vomited. I called and talked to the nurse and she said to bring him in for a throat culture. It was negative. So, she told me if the stomachaches continue for three more days to bring him back in.
Does his breath "stink" - strep breath has its own smell.
That's usually how I knew mine had it before they got down with strep!
Listen to Nervy Girl. Strep does not always come with fever. Strep does not always come with a sore throat. It's worth $70 to have him tested. If left untreated, strep can become scarlet fever and linger and linger. If he does not have it, please don't feel like "I wasted that money!" It's worthwhile to KNOW.
He has been under the weather since Saturday.... that is 5 days already.
Wouldn't you rather know what is going on so you can get the help you need now before it possibly becomes something worse and in the end cost you WAY more than $70?
Example: I am very well insured. I had to have an MRI yesterday on my ankle. I was told my portion of the bill would be $1240 of the $2500 test. I said "ouch, but we do what we have to do, right, as I started writing a check." The clerk said to me "are you dead set on this going against your deductible which is $10,000? I said no because this is my first experience with any medical Dr. this year. Then she said.... "If you go the self pay route... your total cost is $400" YOU BET I paid $400 vs $1240. I didn't ask for a discount... this info was volunteered to me. Just keep your eyes and ears open and you never know what might happen!!
We are able to just run in for a culture without doing the whole office visit. That might be the place to start?
Started Saturday night and still lingering? I'd take him in. Strep doesn't always cause a fever, but left untreated there really could be problems and more pain for him. To me, it would be worth $70 for the culture/strep test and peace of mind.
Does your doctor not have a nurse line? Most do, I would call and describe the symptoms and see if they want to see him or not. Viruses can take a week or more sometimes to run their course, and that's what it sounds like to me.
Strep CAN cause stomach ache. It is NOT only a "throat" illness.
Just take your son to the Doctor.
Yes, take him in. Also, if you tell the billing person that you have a $70 co-pay, they might give you a break. You won't get one unless you ask for one. Lots of doctors will give a break.
I would CALL the doctor and go from there. If you call, you will likely speak to a nurse who will ask questions and really help you weigh your options. I can't tell you how many trips to the doctor this has saved me!
In my house, sore throat plus stomache ache almost always equals strep. Sorry!
I would definitely get a strep test done. He's been exposed and he DOES have symptoms. Strep in young children often causes stomach upset and not the other, more typical symptoms. Is there a quick clinic or something where you can at least get the strep test done? My son had strep when he was about 10 and the first symptom was vomiting. The sore throat came later and he had only a low grade fever.
When my daughter was a child she had strep one time that manifested itself as a stomach ache. If he was exposed to it, I would take him. I remember that her symptoms were different from other times she had had it.
Can you call the ped's office and just talk to a nurse over the phone? They might be able to give you some direction without having to come into the office. You didn't mention anything about a fever...that would be another key symptom. The on-going stomachache would have me wondering, though I do know this is one of the most common complaints doctors get. Still, it being accompanied by other symptoms...I feel it would warrant at least a nurse's opinion.
Sounds like your son has strep. Poor kid needs antibiotic ! Take him in
I wouldn't go to the doctors for that.
Treat symptoms as they come up and monitor in case additional symptoms pop up.
A minor summer bug is going around.
Chicken soup is good comfort food and a heating pad on low or a warm bath is great for a stomach ache.
I would take him in. My kids hardly ever run a fever with strep and neither have ever had the rash. Just the way they react to it. But they both have had stomach aches and that is a symptom. It's worth it to have him checked.
The going away and then coming back concerns me. Generally, I don't take my kids in unless there's a fever for a few days. But if he's been exposed to strep, it's best to get tested for it as it's not always as nasty looking as when we google the symptoms.
There is some kind of stomach virus that is popping up in several states, including Illinois. There was something on ABC news about about a week ago, I think. Something to ask your doctor about.
