Talk

Flip

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Children's health

temp 38.8 calpol not brought down, would you give nurofen?

8 replies

mad4myboys · 10/11/2009 12:27

3 yr old ds1 had throat and chest infection over 2 weeks ago, had anti b's got over it. Yesterday he was very tired, his temp was about 39. he fell asleep downstairs so i just put to bed. today he is up and down. gave calpol first thing as temp almost 39. gave him calpol over hour ago and temp is still 38.8...would you give nurofen? Or as he is ok at the moment leave it? He is one minute laying on sofa, next playing with ds2

OP posts:

Report

BibiBOO · 10/11/2009 12:31

If he is uncomfortable then yes I would. I don't make a habit of giving both, but I believe they can have both alternately and for my girls nurofen always worked better at bringing their temps down.

If he's playing and feeling poorly in between I'd leave it, but if he's grumpy and suffering, give it.

Report

handbagqueen · 10/11/2009 12:35

I do give them both together or two hours apart to bring my children's temps down. My dd1 had a febrile convulsion so I am particularly cautious about high temps with under 5's.

I would say give him a dose to bring his temp down. Take his temp every hour or so and if it goes up after 2 hours give a dose of calpol.

Report

mad4myboys · 10/11/2009 12:44

so he had last lot of calpol at around 11.15 his temp was 38.8, hour and half later as temp hasnt gone down you say give nurofen? I had to give nurofen when he was ill other week, even that wasnt bringing temp down then! At the moment he is laying on the sofa again...im just a bit worried as this is how he started the other week..last night he was scalding to the touch and had a very hot rash all over him. today cant see rash

OP posts:

Report

TheMightyToosh · 10/11/2009 12:45

I've been advised by 2 different doctors to use both if one alone doesn't bring the temp down.

Leave a gap between them and maybe give some milk or food in between if you can to line the stomach.

In general, I start with nurofen as it seems to work better and last longer than calpol in my DD, and then more often we don't need to use both.

Report

wheresmypaddle · 10/11/2009 12:47

My DS was really poorly last week- high temp, grumpy, sleepy etc.. I called our GP when his temp got really high. She suggested alternating calpol and neurofen every 3 hours to combat his high temp. This did the trick.

You can give them both at the same time but by doing the 3 hour thing you don't overdo the doses allowed in a 24 hour period and they get a continual effect.

Hope he feels better soon

Report

mad4myboys · 10/11/2009 12:49

its now 38.1 so wont give nurofen. how long do you allow a fever/temp to come and go before seeing gp?

OP posts:

Report

wheresmypaddle · 10/11/2009 13:20

Think it depends on how he is within himself and other symptoms. My GP said as long as he was drinking fluids, passing urine, not being sick and not very drowsy she did not feel there was cause for concern- she put it down to a 'virus'- although that did sound a bit like a one-size-fits all diagnosis given that she could not actually see him.

Its really hard to say but I guess the failsafe advise is if in doubt call / visit GP.