Virus - How long do they last?

[chocohead]

My DD is 1 year, 10 days ago she got a cold, 4 days ago she got a high temp and was really sleepy.

I took her to the docs who advised she has a virus and to keep giving her calpol to keep her temp under control. Which i have been doing when calpol wears off temp and sleepiness returns.

How long do viruses usually last ? it doesn't seem to be any better yet. Is there anything else i can do to help her ?

Thankyou

[liath]

Viruses are pretty unpredictable but an illness can start off as just viral but then a child can get a secondary bacterial infection - eg she could start off with a cold then develop tonsilitis or a middle ear infection.

TBH with a fever that's not settling I would get her checked over by the GP again just to make sure she doesn't need an antibiotic. Meantime you could alternate neurofen with the calpol to help keep the temperature down.

HTH

[jabberwocky]

In general 10 days to 2 weeks. Since it has been 10 days already and she doesn't seem better I would take her back just to make sure as liath said.