I need some advice about a 4 yr old with a temperature......

[SamVimesIsMyHero]

Ds has had a temperature since the early hours of yesterday morning. It's going up and down with calpol alternated with neurofen. He is eating a bit (ate a roll at lunch time but no breakfast) he doesn't have any symptoms apart from the very occasional dry cough and the temp. The only thing he has complained about was his arm hurting this morning and his leg this afternoon (seems to have forgotten about it now though!).

How long do I let this go on before I take him to the doctor? I'd be happier (iykwim) if he had gunk coming out of his ear or a stinking cold but it's just the temp which is a bit weird! At the moment it's 38.3 (an hour after calpol) - shall I give neurofen again? He does look rough poor chap.

Oh and he's not a pfb I'm just being crappy and indecisive today!

[castille]

My 2.11yo DS had 2 days of high temp, low appetite and sleepiness on Friday/Saturday. He now has a bit of a cough but other than that he seems back to normal. No idea what it was.

I'd have taken him to the doc if it had been a weekday though, so in your shoes I'd make an appointment, I think.

[Wheelybug]

My 4 y-o came down with a temp on sunday night. I thought it was just the heat. Monday it was worse - by monday night it was almost 40 and wouldn't come down with meds. No other symptoms.

In the end we were advised to take her to a&e as we had no out of hours gp service. It turned out (after waiting for 3 hours) that she had a throat infection. Temp has only come down to normal today and then is still going up a bit without medication.

[SamVimesIsMyHero]

It's weird because he keeps saying he is tired but he can't sleep, he's just lolling about on the sofa He won't have had the temp for 48 hours until early tomorrow morning. He does keep sort of huffing when he's breathing as if he's holding his breath then breath out.

[Wheelybug]

i would ring your gp and try and get him in (and I'm not one ot rush to a gp) - a temp in this weather is hard to control. Plus, if he does need antibiotics the sooner he gets them the bette.r

Hope he's better soon.

[SamVimesIsMyHero]

His was almost 40 yesterday, hasn't been so bad today but then I've been keeping him dosed up all day. He can't have neurofen again yet though and his temp is 38.7 now (oh shite)
I have an ear thermometer and it's 37.7 in one ear and 38.7 in the other, stupid thing. What's the rule when you use an ordinary thermometer under their armpits, I need to check what is going on.

[SamVimesIsMyHero]

Now he's trying to take his own temp

[SamVimesIsMyHero]

Wheely bug - sorry wasn't ignoring you, v. unlikely to get an appointment now I think.

[pigsinmud]

I think you're ok hanging on until tomorrow - if he has no other symptoms then there's not much GP can do.

I only ever use one ear for temp - always get different readings if I do both ears, although not as marked a difference as yours!

[SamVimesIsMyHero]

OK I am a mad obsessive but I hate the inaccuracy of the ear thermometer so I've just taken it with a V. accurate digital thermometer under his arm (and then added a degree - just checked that) and his temp is 39.3.

I've given him neurofen now. Poor little thing. I've also cunningly disguised some weak squash in a fruit shoot bottle, seems to be working a bit.

Thanks for the advice.

[pigsinmud]

How's he doing now? Is he drinking enough?

I'd take him first thing in the morning if I were you. As you said it will then be 48 hours.

It's a rotten time to be ill when it's so hot.

[SamVimesIsMyHero]

I ended up taking him this evening and guess what...it's JUST A VIRUS! He was much better when we got back (and while we were there obviously ) I'll be keeping a close eye on him though if it continues over the next few days I'll take him back but hopefully he's over the worst, thanks for asking

[pigsinmud]

Why do they do that? Start bouncing around the GP's waiting room just when you've asked for an emergency appointment! Hope he continues to improve - at least it's put your mind at rest.