Sully and the National Health Insurance System

Our poor baby boy is sick, sick, sick!  He has a terrible ear infection, a 102 fever (38.7 Celsius; temps are measured here in C so you have convert when you call the doctor), doesn't want to move, and just wants to be held 24/7.

 We are still learning the health care system and the different approaches to medical ailments here in the UK. Each town or village has a local medical centre where you can book an appointment to see a general practioner.  Our medical centre has about 8 GP doctors and then another 8 that work in the minor ailments clinic.  Think your doctor's office with a doctor's care attached.

The National Health Insurance system means that we have paid nothing for the three doctor's appointments and medications we have had since we have been here.   However, for all the ailments our children have had we would have received antiboitics in every case in the States.  Yet, today is the first time I was able to persuade the doctors that my sweet Sully needed help.

Here's some examples to give you some perspective.

Case 1:  Desmond & the Ear Infection
Desmond was crying and in a great deal of pain with an ear infection two weeks ago.  Despite a 101.8 fever and obvious discomfort, the belief here is that an ear infection does not need to be treated for until after about 72 hours when presenting with fever as it will clear up on its own.  While it was awful for three days and Desmond was extremely uncomfortable, the ear infection did just as the doctor said and was better without medication in three days.

Case 2:  Sierra & the Sinus Infection
Sierra had classic symptoms of a sinus infection (a cold that never got better then fever, nausea, and lots of nasal discomfort).   She has gone through 2 boxes of Kleenex in three days.  On the third day of fever and yuckiness at home, we went to the doctor.  She cleared Sierra for school the next day and put her on Calpol (the British tylenol).  Keep in mind Sierra is still running a 101 fever throughout the day.  Sierra went to school, got really nauseated, and came home.  She missed four days of school is still running a low grade fever.  The philosophy is that it will clear up on its own within a week's time. Antibiotic medication has not been recommended. Her fever broke finally after about 6 days, but we are still waiting to have her nose clear up.  It's still a little early to call, but it appears she is going to get better just as the doctor said she would.

Case 3: Sully and the Ear infection
Obviously Sully is miserable and I had learned a valuable lesson with Desmond.  We called and couldn't get in, but I kept calling and calling until I could talk to a GP.  They worked him in.  Sully had "surprisingly" been running a fever for 72 hours and had gotten much worse today. The doctor said that normally he wouldn't give antibiotics, but he said there is a case after 72 hours that antibiotics may be necessary to relieve his discomfort.  He offered us antibiotics, and I accepted them gratefully.

Perhaps we overmedicate in the US in the name of productivity (kids get better faster/parents return to work quicker)?  Perhaps our children's immune systems are stronger than we give them credit for? The debate is one worth researching.  I am sure we will learn more while I am here and when the next round of viruses go through our house.  However, today, all science aside, this momma was so grateful to have something to relieve her baby's pain.