Raised temp in dd

[Visitingtethersend]

Hi all just after some advice really in how to get dd temp down or just ride it out. She is almost one and About 4 weeks ago was admitted with severe conjunctivitis and also pneumonia. She was treated with iv fluids, iv antibiotics and iv aciclovir. All cleared up we thought. Tonight she's spiking temps of 39.1. Every time we attempt calpol even getting it near her mouth she throws up. Have tried 111 and their advice was give Brufen. On her last admission she had some old blood in her vomit and they advised avoid Brufen. I do t want to sponge her down as told it's not advised either.

What I'm asking is any advice on how to get calpol down sneakily. She's starts vomiting as soon as syringe or spoon touches her lips.

Sorry for the saga, all advice appreciated
Thank you

[Jiltedjohnsjulie]

Is she keeping water down visiting?

Have you tried taking her out for a walk?

[AuditAngel]

It might sound odd, but have you tried offering the medicine on a spoon or in a medicine cup? DD2 would sometimes prefer a medicine cup as she was in control.

It might be that the feel of the syringe is triggering her gag reflex, the medicine cup might be better.

[AuditAngel]

Oh, and strip her. When DD2 had pneumonia and was admitted via ambulance, the paramedics were pleased to find her just in her nappy, not bundled up.

[monikar]

Do you have a fan you can place her near to? My DD used to get very high temperatures and a fan can really help. I agree with keeping her in just a nappy.

[jellyfl00d]

Have you tried a medicine dummy? It
My daughter used this once when she wouldn't take calpol any other way.
If the temp won't settle and you can't get calpol down I would take her to A & E. To be checked over, they may be able to use some/prescribe PR (suppository) paracetamol instead, not the nicest place to put it, but it's been used by plenty of parents before, and it's very effective

[Visitingtethersend]

Hi all thanks for replying. We have got about a ml of Brufen down her by dropping bits on the end of the bottle teat. She's keeping water down but still heaving on that. She has just been in her happy for about two hours and temp still 39.4.
I've never heard of a medicine dummy before. Would they sell them at a 24 hour tesco? She doesn't have a dummy but might fall for it enough to get some down her. She did have suppositories when she was in a few weeks ago as it it was the only way the hospital could get her temp down. We tried to tell 111 lady this but I suppose they have to follow a script.

[Jiltedjohnsjulie]

If you are not happy with the advice from 111 and her temperature is still rising I'd call the doctor.

[Mrsantithetic]

My dd is 14 months and had a febrile seizure a few weeks ago due to spiking temps from 37 to 41.8.

The paramedic told me that a useful tip is to strip naked and place a warm, not cold, not hot flannel on the side chest and stomach on the right hand side. He told me that in babies the liver takes up most of that space and is the place you need to cool.

Now I've never heard of that before but might be worth a try?

[purplewithred]

Is she miserable or just hot? Although with her recent history I'd be asking 111 for a call from ooh doctor or a paediatric nurse.

Google NICE CG160 for correct information on fevers in children although I am copying and pasting the important bit here:

1.6 Antipyretic interventions
1.6.1 Effects of body temperature reduction
1.6.1.1 Antipyretic agents do not prevent febrile convulsions and should not be used specifically for this purpose. [2007]

1.6.2 Physical interventions to reduce body temperature
1.6.2.1 Tepid sponging is not recommended for the treatment of fever. [2007]

1.6.2.2 Children with fever should not be underdressed or over-wrapped. [2007]

1.6.3 Drug interventions to reduce body temperature
1.6.3.1 Consider using either paracetamol or ibuprofen in children with fever who appear distressed. [new 2013]

1.6.3.2 Do not use antipyretic agents with the sole aim of reducing body temperature in children with fever. [new 2013]

1.6.3.3 When using paracetamol or ibuprofen in children with fever:

continue only as long as the child appears distressed
consider changing to the other agent if the child's distress is not alleviated
do not give both agents simultaneously
only consider alternating these agents if the distress persists or recurs before the next dose is due. [new 2013]
1.7 Advice for home care
1.7.1 Care at home
1.7.1.1 Advise parents or carers to manage their child's temperature as described in section 1.6. [2007]

1.7.1.2 Advise parents or carers looking after a feverish child at home:

to offer the child regular fluids (where a baby or child is breastfed the most appropriate fluid is breast milk)
how to detect signs of dehydration by looking for the following features:
sunken fontanelle
dry mouth
sunken eyes
absence of tears
poor overall appearance
to encourage their child to drink more fluids and consider seeking further advice if they detect signs of dehydration
how to identify a non-blanching rash
to check their child during the night
to keep their child away from nursery or school while the child's fever persists but to notify the school or nursery of the illness. [2007]
1.7.2 When to seek further help
1.7.2.1 Following contact with a healthcare professional, parents and carers who are looking after their feverish child at home should seek further advice if:

the child has a fit
the child develops a non-blanching rash
the parent or carer feels that the child is less well than when they previously sought advice
the parent or carer is more worried than when they previously sought advice
the fever lasts longer than 5 days
the parent or carer is distressed, or concerned that they are unable to look after their child. [2007]

[Princessdeb]

Dear OP,

It is unusual for babies your DD's age to be given IV antibiotics and acyclovir. Therefore she must have been really poorly. I would ignore 111 advice as they are generally call handlers not healthcare professionals. If your DD's temperature is still that high call your GP and get an emergency appointment (tonight) failing that take her to A&E. You know things aren't right which is why you have posted here. Follow your instincts as you know her best.

Also latest NICE guidelines suggest that anti pyretics (paracetamol and ibuprofen) are not effective at preventing febrile convulsions so the important thing is to focus on finding and treating the underlying cause rather than the symptom of the temperature. Good luck.

[jellyfl00d]

Yes a 24 hr tesco probably would sell a medicine dummy as I got mine from Asda, a genius little invention, I hope she has improved now x

[Visitingtethersend]

Hi and thanks to everyone who replied. We rang 111 again and ended up in A&E. Possibly viral but they think it's probable tonsillitis so back on antibiotics. Her right side tonsil was red and swollen apparently.

When she was in last time she developed eye lesions and because her brother had a cold sore she was treated with that. She also had a separate pneumonia that time and was having coffee ground vomit.

Now someone please tell me they grow out of all this

[Jiltedjohnsjulie]

Glad you've been seen and she has got some meds. Have they given given you an appointment with a Paed?

[Visitingtethersend]

No just the antibiotics and go home really. They kept her until temp came down. Not sure about some if the advice as it was a bit conflicting but what they did seemed to work. They

[Visitingtethersend]

Blooming phone. They strip them off, cool with a fan and warm flannel the give calpol. He said when the temps already high in babies if you try giving calpol they just vomit it back.

[Jiltedjohnsjulie]

How do you feel about it? Do you think she may need some tests to see why she's been so ill twice in a shortish space of time?

[Visitingtethersend]

I am going to ride it out this time let her get over it and then start being pushy if it happens again. I suspect her brother picks things up from nursery and is also unwell at the moment but able to shake things off. He was poorly a lot too but has largely grown of it. He was worse when he started nursery tho so I'm hoping its things she picks up from him. He's always hugging and kissing her. Quite sweet really.

[Visitingtethersend]

Just a quick update. She was still as poorly next day could t get and medicine in her. Gp sent her in to children's ward and she has a particularly bad virus that has possibly gone to her chest. Awaiting chest X-ray.

Thank you again for all the advice.

[Jiltedjohnsjulie]

Oh your poor Lo and poor you. Personally I'd be pushing for investigations as to why she is getting so ill.