Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

It is very hard when your child is away and sick!

Without being able to examine him and get some additional details (such as is the cough productive throughout the day), it's hard to say definitively but here are some of my thoughts:

Both influenza, i.e. real flu (cough, fever, body aches) and gastroenteritis, i.e. "stomach flu" (vomiting, diarrhea) are circulating in communities in the US right now. We are seeing a wave of gastroenteritis where I live in XXXXXXX WI currently.

It's possible he has both.

It's also possible that the sore throat, cough and fever could be from something else, such as strep throat. If the cough is productive, it could also be pneumonia.

I think he should go in to be seen. An urgent care or college health service doctor should have a look in his throat, listen to his lungs, examine his abdomen, get swabs for both influenza and strep, and a chest X-ray if the exam warrants it.

He is also at risk of getting dehydrated as vomiting and diarrhea, as you know, can cause a lot of fluid loss, and also potassium loss. And fever can add to the fluid loss. The doctor should also get a CBC with differential which (sometimes) can indicate if the infection is viral vs bacterial. And should check electrolytes to make sure he is not getting potassium depleted.

They can give him an IV (with electrolytes if necessary) to replenish fluids and to allow for gastrointestinal rest, which can sometimes help shut the process of continued GI upheaval down.

I am concerned, as he has one kidney, that he should not get dehydrated, and should not have too little or too much potassium.

So I advise that he go in to be seen. To an urgent care or health service. But if he is urinating less, or if there is more vomiting and diarrhea tonight, or high fever, I advise he not wait but rather go into the ER tonight.

I recommend that he advocate for himself to see a doctor, rather than a PA or NP, as in his situation, I think some deeper thought needs to be given, rather than cookbook medicine. And he should make sure to tell them he has one kidney.

I also advise that when going in, he be mindful to not touch eyes, nose, or mouth until he has come home and washed his hands very thoroughly, as given all of the infectious things going around, I don't want him to pick up something else from the clinic.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

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