To think illnesses can't come on this quick

Yes, my LO got very poorly within a few hours of swimming, he did vomit as well as had a fever and a cough. I went to GP and they said it's very likely he picked up a bug through swallowing pool water.

We've found calpol rubbish for fevers, nurofen is much better! Hope she's feeling better soon x

I was just going to type that exact time frame!
Was getting ready to go to Badminton Horse Trials, and felt a bit “headachey”
Within half an hour I was vomiting hard- and was puking on and off for 24 hours.

I was sooooo grateful it had come on before I’d left home.

Had to cancel friends- she replied “ You really MUST be Ill to miss Badminton.

That very same friend when our sons were toddlers were in the library 📚 when she said she felt nauseous.

We walked home, and within half an hour she was taken by surprise and was sick.

I carry a bucket 🪣 around when I have Norovirus, Eg, to let dog out into garden.
Even the smell of her ( good quality) food made me vomit 🤢😂.

@Butterbean21 yes and yes 😅 when my kids are sick I'm ridiculously unreasonable. Due to my background, I'm collecting data and forming spreadsheets, checking them 24h until I see improvement then I nap longer at their feet. It's so scary to love them so much!

You’ve been lucky if you’ve got to 5 without too many nasty illnesses.

I’ve generally found with both of mine that they manage fevers pretty well until they hit 39 plus and then they seem to be unwell. Ive only seen drs concerned about the actual temp twice. Once when one of mine hit 41 and once when the same child had a raging kidney infection and her heart rate was through the roof so wanted to get the temp down to try and bring heart rate lower. Generally they’ve always seen fever as part of a picture (eg if a child is well a fever in isolation isn’t a problem as such).

Very normal and a fever is a healthy sign of a fully functioning and robust immune system. You don’t need to give calpol for the sole purpose of reducing a fever and actually, allowing it to do its job will usually reduce the duration of the illness.

Try not to worry. Lots of rest, cuddles and regular sips of water. It will pass ❤️

I had a child go home normally at 5.20 parent messaged at 6 to say now covered in spots and temp of 40

In adults (not sure about small children), illnesses that come on very suddenly with a high temperature are more likely to be an influenza variant. Illnesses that creep in over a few days with tiredness, a sore throat, etc., slowly getting worse, tend to be common cold viruses (rhino- or coronaviruses). Covid is a bit more like a cold in having a slower onset than like a flu.

Yes, very normal. That temp isn't particularly high either, I'd be giving Calpol or ibuprofen as she's probably feeling a bit miserable but I wouldn't be worrying at all. Definitely "oh FFS, not another dose" territory rather than anything worrying.

The NHS has a good article on fevers in kids, have a read of that and be aware of the symptoms that are concerning - you'll likely not see them!

Go by the child not the number on the thermometer. It's probably your run of the mill virus that most kids get a few of every year.

Definitely can get sick that quickly. I remember putting DS for a bath and doing my makeup in the bathroom mirror while he played behind me. I turned around 2 minutes later and he was absolutely covered in chicken pox.

I look after the sickest people at work and it doesn't cause me any unrest but the second my children are sick I fall to pieces. I have no rational thoughts because they are my whole world. I take them in bed with me and wake at least hourly to check they are OK. I actually tend to not check their temp, I know when they have a fever and treat appropriately, the numbers don't add much. Also paracetamol tends to not bring the fever down so much for my kids like ibuprofen would. Your DC doesn't have any worrying features to me at the moment, sounds quite par for the course with a 5yo viral infection. Hope they feel much better soon

Absolutely! About 5 weeks ago, felt fine, ate dinner then boom! 2 hours later throwing up, shaking, burning chest, coughing. And only just starting to feel better.

Calpol is paracetamol so 4x a day max 4hrly would be a huge overdose), do 6h and alternate with nurofen so 9am one 12ock the other 3pm the first one etc

OP you're lucky you're little girl rarely has a temp. This is my 2 year olds 3rd winter, and she has one atleast every 2-3 weeks max this time of year.
Moat have lasted 3-5 days on and off, with alternating Calpol and baby neurofen. But then she's had hand foot and mouth, tonsillitis twice, several ear and throat infections, norovirus... Lost goes on, poor girl.
They pick up all sorts from nursery 😢
Hope your daughter feels better soon x

Of course. 48 hours is completely normal.

If its actual flu, then that often hits really quick.
If its a cold or covid, then its usually more gradual

It’s not a hugely high temperature and in any case fever can help fight infection. If she is alert/rousable from sleep, drinking, weeing, breathing normally, no rash etc then you don’t need to panic because she’s a bit feverish with a virus. This sounds like a standard cold/covid/flu type virus and unless it persists for days or develops other symptoms then I’d just let it take its course. If she’s miserable or in pain I’d give calpol according to the packet instructions, but not just because of the numbers on a thermometer.

Obviously if she’s actually prone to seizures or something that’s another story.

It's a fairly lowish fever and she's sleeping. Leave her be.

I wouldn't be seeking medical attention at that stage, but unless it was very prolonged (several days), there were other converging symptoms or it was staying above 40 when medicated.

I would potentially be seeking help for your anxiety though...

Both times I had Covid I was absolutely fine for most of the day, and the suddenly feeling very unwell by about 4pm, so they can and do.

Kindly OP, I think your anxiety is at play here. Is she drinking and passing water? If she can have ibuprofen and you’re sure it’s not chicken pox, alternate that with calpol. Monitor for a while and then make a decision.

I had flu that came on quickly. Was fine in the morning, felt a bit achy by lunch, then evening was fever and chills. Couldn't get out of bed.
It's so scary when kids are ill. Keep an eye in temperature and check for any rashes. Hope your little one recovers soon

How was she when she went to bed?

I understand that you're worried but 38.5C is not a very high fever. My 4.5 year old has had fevers up to 40.0C recently, which was worrying for me. However, docs seem to look at the whole child not just the number on the thermometer.

Oh gosh yes, flu comes on VERY quickly. It's classic.

We have that too. Really useful and good to know the GP approves 👍

Of course they do.

When DS2 was in reception he went into school full of excitement about his school trip.

School called me at about 1pm to ask if I could pick him up from the museum as he was unwell.

When I got there the poor thing was burning up and really upset 😢.

I felt awful even though he was genuinely fine in the morning.

Of course they can. If you're unwell your body doesn't give you a countdown and a several days warning. You're usually a bit off for a day and then you get sicker, but sometimes you're fine and then hours later absolutely chunderously unwell. Just take them to the GP. It may just be a minor bug or it may need antibiotics.

I don't agree with you. I was always careful of fluctuating temps as my sibling once developed seizures as a result of a throat infection, and nearly died as a child. My eldest was hospitalised with pnuemonia as a toddler. I usually went to OOH if not during GP hours but on that occasion we ended up in A&E.