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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think illnesses can't come on this quick

135 replies

Talkabtit101 · 19/12/2024 19:04

Went to London Tuesday - went to Harry potter studios, and then stayed in a hotel for a couple nights, used swimming pool and went shopping on the Wednesday.

DD (5) got back home this morning and fell asleep a few hours after around 4 then woke up with a 38.5 fever and crying saying she didn't know what was wrong but felt poorly.

Now in our history of illnesses has rarely had a fever so I've succumbed to a wee bit of panic.

Just looking for some advice on do illnesses happen this quickly?? Could've been the only way we'd caught it as was WFH the few days before and DD is homeschooled.

I've gave calpol around half hour ago and fever is now at 38.2.

Posting for traffic and maybe a hand hold because I do have anxiety and ocd and I'm never good at handling illnesses, especially fevers. Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
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Deeperthantheocean · 21/12/2024 18:44

Oh yes, one minute fine then next floored! The virus builds up then releases full power, pow. I was at work feeling fine in the morning then by 2pm I had to crawl out feeling diabolical. Xx

MereDintofPandiculation · 21/12/2024 16:40

MintShaker · 21/12/2024 00:21

I'm.a nurse. Never ever take a temperature orally. That only happens in very old tv shows

Show quote history

Why is that? I can see why if you're using a mercury thermometer, but why shouldn't I use my digital oral thermometer?

And what is the relationship between underarm temperature and core temperature?

Original poster
Talkabtit101 · 21/12/2024 11:02

Temp is now 36.6, has been awake for an hour or so and ate some grapes a yoghurt and a small piece of chocolate. Cheeks are still red but wanted to get up and go to the toilet and brush teeth herself, was still a bit off whilst doing it but will take the small improvements.

DH has now got it and shaking with a 39.2 temp too, so wish me luck 🤞🏼

OP posts:
Thumberline · 21/12/2024 10:43

Edda09 · 21/12/2024 09:34

The sleepiness is unusual tiredness as I assume she doesn’t sleep this much normally. I’d be tempted to call 111 if temp still high as she is young, though it sounds like flu.
I found using cold cloths on face and body help to bring temp down.

Cold cloths is not recommended anymore, it can fool the body into thinking it needs to produce more or a temperature causing a higher temperature/ upping the risk of seizures.

AInightingale · 21/12/2024 09:58

Sounds as if she is on the mend OP, appetite coming back is a good sign.

Original poster
Talkabtit101 · 21/12/2024 09:55

Still has a temp but not as high as Thursday evening. Not sure 111 will do much as she's still drinking and weeing, and is currently eating apples and grapes.

Apart from now being tired and having the cough and a bit warm she sounds much better, cheeks are still red but aside from that also looks a bit better.

OP posts:
Edda09 · 21/12/2024 09:34

The sleepiness is unusual tiredness as I assume she doesn’t sleep this much normally. I’d be tempted to call 111 if temp still high as she is young, though it sounds like flu.
I found using cold cloths on face and body help to bring temp down.

Original poster
Talkabtit101 · 21/12/2024 08:50

Had to give nurofen again this morning at 6, hadn’t had any medicine since 8 last night, but has literally been asleep all morning, wakes up but barely says anything just stares at me, will have a drink and cough then go back to sleep. Is this normal?

I'm asking as the pharmacist asked about an unusual tiredness, but aside from the sleepiness I can't see any other issues

OP posts:
certainagedwoman · 21/12/2024 08:22

Flu and flu-like illnesses absolutely can and do come on so quickly

I was on holiday, having a lovely lunch, feeling completely fine and felt I had to cough. Coughed once and it felt like I had glass in my throat and I immediately felt absolutely terrible, weak, wobbly and within a minute or so I had a raging fever.

Snowangles · 21/12/2024 08:10

Oh yes of course, it happened to me a few weeks ago. Within half an hour I went from feeling unwell, spaced out and achy to being bed bound.

ProfTeeCee · 21/12/2024 07:58

MumWifeOther · 19/12/2024 23:29

Reading some of these comments I think it’s really important for us parents to be aware of what the purpose of a fever is.

Our bodies increase their temperature to make it harder for the pathogen to multiply. Interferring with this process by giving calpol or nurofen effectively makes it harder for our body to fight off the virus / bacteria. This can prolong recovery and actually makes it easier for pathogens to get deeper into the tissues sometimes leading to more serious complications.

Having a fever obviously makes us feel crap, but we’re not supposed to do anything besides rest and sleep, and actually more often than not, also avoid food, while our bodies recover.
Often, people give calpol etc and the children might go back to playing / normal activities, when actually they should be resting.

Some people believe that not giving calpol increases the risk of febrile seizures - this isn’t true. It’s a drastic change in temperature that does this so the advice is to avoid cold flannels, artificially cooling the body etc.

The overuse of calpol is a worrying trend and it’s not without risk. There is evidence that it depletes glutathione and excess usage of paracetamol is associated with increased rates of asthma, liver, kidney and heart damage. This is without considering the awful ingredients in a standard bottle.

I know lots of people may not believe me but you can verify this here using the NICE guidelines:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/pages/infectious-disease/nice-guidance-use-of-paracetamol-and-ibuprofen-for-management-of-fever-in-child-under-5-years-old

I have 3 kids, my eldest being 12, and thankfully, I have only ever used calpol twice. Of course if they were in severe pain with a toothache or earache etc then I would give them a dose, but for managing fevers etc, we’ve always done lots of tlc and immune support.

My advice always is to watch the child and not the fever 🙏🏽

100% agree with this post.

ProfTeeCee · 21/12/2024 07:51

Talkabtit101 · 19/12/2024 19:12

@Merryoldgoat

No this is not the first time, but it usually is a committing bug that lasts a few hours, only temps have been when very younger and after jabs.

Thank you everyone else, the temp I believe is coming down by touch as is currently sleeping. Does anyone know with a digital thermometer which is the most accurate way to test? As underarm said 37.5 but oral said 38.4

Oral is more accurate.
High temps like those you describe are likely due to a viral illness which can come on really quickly.

DisabledDemon · 21/12/2024 00:22

Well, I had my Covid jab this morning and now feel terrible. That’s pretty quick.

loropianalover · 21/12/2024 00:21

Auburngal · 20/12/2024 19:31

A year ago tomorrow, I saw my Nanan at her care home. She was in high spirits, looking forward to the Christmas plans that they do.

Left her about 3pm.

At 8pm, can’t remember if my aunt or care home rang my DF and said she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia. She was there for ten days.

it was the beginning of the end as she slept about 20 hours a day, appetite reduced etc. she died 2 months I last saw her.

She was 96

I don’t think this is very helpful to a clearly panicked OP 😂

MintShaker · 21/12/2024 00:21

MereDintofPandiculation · 19/12/2024 19:46

My memory is that you have to add one degree to underarm temperature, but I can’t remember whether that was C or F.

Go with the oral.

Show quote history

I'm.a nurse. Never ever take a temperature orally. That only happens in very old tv shows

MintShaker · 21/12/2024 00:17

If the poor wee soul is home schooled she'll not have built up the resistance that normal children do through daily contact with sniffles etc so she's bound to catch anything that's going when she is allowed to venture into the outside world.

Notafanofheat · 21/12/2024 00:00

If she’s only drinking or mostly drinking get her fresh fruit juice not water (and not squash or fruit shoots as they all don’t really have sugar in them anymore)- young kids burn through the sugar they have stored at rapid pace especially when ill and that then makes them more tired/sleepy.

Askingforafriendtoday · 20/12/2024 19:37

Rosebud21 · 19/12/2024 19:06

Hopefully this information helps

https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/professionals/paramedics/safety-netting-documents-parents/fever-children-under-5-years

https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/fever-high-temperature

Very helpful post.
And yes they do, OP

QuestionableMouse · 20/12/2024 19:31

AhBiscuits · 19/12/2024 19:06

Yes they very often do.

I got flu and went from fine to shaking uncontrollably over the course of half an hour.

Ugh I had the same. It was vile.

Auburngal · 20/12/2024 19:31

A year ago tomorrow, I saw my Nanan at her care home. She was in high spirits, looking forward to the Christmas plans that they do.

Left her about 3pm.

At 8pm, can’t remember if my aunt or care home rang my DF and said she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia. She was there for ten days.

it was the beginning of the end as she slept about 20 hours a day, appetite reduced etc. she died 2 months I last saw her.

She was 96

gamerchick · 20/12/2024 19:20

greengreyblue · 20/12/2024 17:21

Would think a mother would read the dosage instructions…. 🙄

Show quote history

Dude, you wouldn't believe how many people do actually overdose their kids because they've got mixed up and haven't read the bottle. It's worth mentioning.

restingbitchface30 · 20/12/2024 19:14

Always! My 2 and a half year old just had a bug which sent his temp soaring and I could barely keep it under control for 4 days. He’s now left with a cough. It came on all of a sudden.

mumofbun · 20/12/2024 18:14

greengreyblue · 20/12/2024 17:21

Would think a mother would read the dosage instructions…. 🙄

Show quote history

I don't know if that was meant to be catty but you'd be amazed how many people I have come across who didn't know this - and as OP seemed to be in a spin and asking recommendations for when to give medication I thought it was worth mentioning...

greengreyblue · 20/12/2024 17:21

mumofbun · 20/12/2024 10:35

Sorry if I have just missed someone pointing it out but please be aware there is a maximum number of doses of Calpol and ibuprofen over 24 hours

Would think a mother would read the dosage instructions…. 🙄

Calamitousness · 20/12/2024 16:31

Good advice from your pharmacist. Give her the meds if she needs them. Don’t listen to people who are not medical and not with your child. As long as you’re following the advice given by pharmacist then you’re fine. She may well need the meds for several days. That’s ok.

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