Help me! My child is ill and I don't know what to do

[BurnTheBlackSuit]

My infant school aged child has suddenly become ill.

We were out last night with friends (a one off, so thought it would be OK) and so child didn't get to be until 10pm at which point he was completely fine- full of beans and usual bubbly self.

About 3am, he came into our room crying and saying he felt weird. He had a temp of 38.8c. He had a sore throat and was sick a little bit. Gave him Calpol and calmed him down and he then eventually slept a bit until 7. He still had a temp of 38.8, so I gave him more calpol. Took his temp about 9.30 and it had gone up to 39.8c. He's responsive, but spaced out. Has managed to eat and drink a little and says his throat doesn't hurt anymore. His face looks puffy, as if he has been crying a lot (he hasn't since last night). I have tried looking in his throat, but can't see past his tongue.

What do I do? My default is to wait it out (and keep checking him for rash). But because the temp has gone up since I gave him calpol and he seems so unwell and because it is a Friday, I wondered if I should try and take him to the nurse/doctor at the surgery?

I know people can't give medical advice, but just wanted some opinions on what others would do in this situation?

[TheWitchwithNoName]

I agree with you, doctors today. Hope he starts to feel better soon

[OnlyEatsToast]

Phone NHS direct for advice

[InternationalHouseofToast]

You can give nurofen between the doses of calpol so I'd do that, keep him hydrated and maybe try and offer some easy food - fingers of toast something like that, and see if he feels better by early afternoon. If he's still the same by about 2pm, I'd give the GP a call.

for now, nurofen, sofa, DVD, duvet and toast, I think.

[thewideeyedpea]

I would contact your doctors or phone 111
(they have always been good when we've needed advice). You know your child best , I wouldn't hesitate to get a medical opinion. It's what the doctor is there for. Hope he is ok .

[mayoketchupchocolate]

Poor little thing

I'd ring the GP and ask for an urgent apt or at the very least a call back from a doctor. 39.8 is very high, I'd be very surprised if the surgery ignored it.

Obviously I am not medically trained in the least though!

I hope your DC feels better soon.

[2016Hopeful]

If you are worried take him to the doctors. You should be able to get an emergency appointment.

Also, even in the evening or at the weekend you can always get emergency appointments with GP at hospital (we have done this before by calling 111) or out of hours doctors.

[Paulat2112]

last time my ds2 was ill his temp was 40c and he was admitted to hospital as it was so high and he had started to shake(rigors). I took him straight to a&e myself tho, didn't bother with gp. Do not wait this out

[LIZS]

Ask for emergency gp appointment. Could well be tonsillitis or even early symptoms of scarlet fever.

[BurnTheBlackSuit]

I gave him Nurofen about half an hour ago and now his temperature is 38.7c which, whilst not good, has come down.

Thanks for all your replies, very helpful. I think I will keep monitoring and see what he's like at 2pm (when Drs open again after their lunch) and if he's still the same, try and take to see the practice nurse for advice. He should hopefully be able to look into his throat!

[ktmummy1]

I'm in a similar boat. My daughter woke up with temp of 40.3 yesterday. Came down gradually with calpol though. Once calpol wore off it went up again to 39. Today she woke up again with temp 39.5. Again calpol has brought it down. Doctor yesterday couldn't find any reason for it. It's such a worry. She's 3. X

[BluePitchFork]

a fever (unless very high, 40 and over) is a good thing. it's one of the ways a body fights infection.
unless he's in pain, no need to give anything.
but of course keep an eye on him, and call 111 if he deterioates.
plenty of fluids and rest is what he needs.

[Artistic]

Not trying to be a doctor, but looks like a viral of some sort. GP will check if there is infection & prescribe antibiotics if needed. If not needed they might say let's wait & watch . Given that it's a weekend ahead & Monday GP appt are difficult, try to get an anti biotic prescription to use IF things don't improve. If it's a ear infection it's hard to detect sometimes & temp can be quite high. Ask him if his ear hurts if you touch it. Most likely calpol & ibuprofen alternated will be the way ahead.

[OhGoToSleepPlease]

Please take him to be seen. Call now, don't wait until after lunch.

Also, if you ever suspect something is very wrong do NOT wait for a rash. If someone has meningitis a rash does not always appear but when it does it is often one of the last symptoms of bacterial meningitis. By that point a lot of irreversable damage could have been done. Immediate action when spotting a rash that doesn't fade, yes. Hanging about waiting for a rash, no.

[Hastalapasta]

Does he normally have high temperatures? Sounds like he picked up an infection. Calpol, ibuprofen, hydration, easy food and rest are the way to go. Call NHS or local surgery for advice. Anti biotics are only effective against bacteria. Hope he gets better soon.

[GloGirl]

Phone 111 now.

Check he is happy touching his chin to his chest.

Check he is not upset by bright lights.

Look out for any spots of red that do not go when pressed by a glass.

Any sleepiness, floppiness, fast breathing, cold hands and feet phone 999

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

We alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen for fevers. See the GP if worried though, or call 111.

With DD and DS, I'm happy at home if they're orientated, drinking and weeing, fever under 40, breathing normal and colour normal.

Night times are worse so I try to nap with them in the day if I can so I can be up in the night.

Get well soon!

[BurnTheBlackSuit]

Thank you for all your replies.

Temperature is now down to 38c and he is playing Lego! Either the Nurofen has worked wonders or he is on the mend. Either way, it's good news.

[Paulat2112]

Glad to hear he is feeling a little better

[amarmai]

Good to read he is feeling better but I did get worried by your not seeing past his tongue as that sounds like a reaction to something such as a spider bite, or allergic to something he ate or drank. I was about to say to go to A&E but read the whole thread. If you get symptoms like that again I wdn't be asking us but the Drs at the hospital.