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AIBU?

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Original poster

Anyone awake - anxious about my son

190 replies

Anxiousmother23 · 11/01/2025 04:52

He came down with a temperature and very off colour yesterday morning, we kept him off school. His fever was at 38.9 last night, gave calpol and about 30 mins later ibuprofen to help, which brought it down to 37.5 (this is forehead temp)

Now he’s woken up in the early hours with a horrific cough and can’t stop coughing, his fever is back at 38.5 I’ve given him more calpol. But his cough sounds horrific. He was totally fine on Thursday, the whole thing started yesterday morning.

I’m mega anxious when it comes to illness, especially his. As I always think the worst, especially at night like this.
He’s also very rarely unwell with a fever etc.
He can’t seem to get back to sleep with this cough - obviously he needs to sleep to help get himself better.
Is it worth taking him to out of hours in the morning just to get him checked over? In case it’s an infection and he needs antibiotics?

OP posts:
Brightredtulips · 11/01/2025 21:44

Give him paracetamol. It will bring his temperature down .

Hercisback1 · 11/01/2025 21:32

He's eating, drinking and has a temp. You don't need medical attention.

Shortbreadfinger2 · 11/01/2025 21:24

I would say 5 days too as he is eating and drinking as normal. Unless he suddenly gets much worse.

Sugargliderwombat · 11/01/2025 21:18

I'd say 5 days. He's eating, drinking and the temp going down with medicine. They aren't going to do anything I don't think.

lostinthememory · 11/01/2025 21:18

Anxiousmother23 · 11/01/2025 21:14

His fever seems to go down with paracetamol/ibuprofen so I guess that’s good. He’s drinking plenty and has been weeing today.
Just not himself and when the meds wear off, you can tell he’s due another dose.

At what point would you worry about it being prolonged? Tomorrow morning it’ll be 48 hours since it started. I guess I could call our local GP surgery on Monday as it’ll be 72 hours by then, if no improvement.

You don't need to seek medical attention. He is drinking, eating and resting.

Original poster
Anxiousmother23 · 11/01/2025 21:14

His fever seems to go down with paracetamol/ibuprofen so I guess that’s good. He’s drinking plenty and has been weeing today.
Just not himself and when the meds wear off, you can tell he’s due another dose.

At what point would you worry about it being prolonged? Tomorrow morning it’ll be 48 hours since it started. I guess I could call our local GP surgery on Monday as it’ll be 72 hours by then, if no improvement.

OP posts:
Shortbreadfinger2 · 11/01/2025 20:40

I don’t think the fever in itself is an issue as long as it’s not out of control. The fever is a sign his body is fighting infection. It’s my understanding that you should take your child to a doctor if their fever persists over several days as that can be a sign the infection isn’t going away.

Original poster
Anxiousmother23 · 11/01/2025 20:31

I suppose a big issue for me is that he very rarely gets fevers.

OP posts:
Original poster
Anxiousmother23 · 11/01/2025 18:52

He’s been on and off today - he’s eaten some (mostly junk) and drank water, but he has been laying on the sofa a lot watching tv and also on his tablet.
He seems to have come on with it again this evening as his temp has gone back up to 38.7. He’s due another ibuprofen (liquid kids form) so I’ll be giving that to him shortly.
I know it tends to come on worse at night - he’s been coughing and snotty all day.
Its a shame as he’s meant to be going to a friend’s birthday party tomorrow 😔 I’m hoping he’ll be ok for school on Monday, but I guess we’ll have to see.
Preparing myself for another rubbish night!

OP posts:
mummy3456 · 11/01/2025 14:49

Do you have hydrolyte? They are like an icypole you keep in the freezer. Great for cooling and hydration and electrloytes. Maybe buy some tomorow.

KatieKat88 · 11/01/2025 11:53

HPBrownSauce · 11/01/2025 11:15

The important part is 'ibuprofen for children' - not the capsules that adults take.

It's not clear if OP is using a type for children.

Show quote history

True, perhaps worth highlighting but it's probably unlikely that her 6yo is swallowing adult capsules rather than the liquid child version.

Shortbreadfinger2 · 11/01/2025 11:53

I think he sounds poorly but I wouldn’t take him to the doctor yet. My DS had a fever on and off for 5 days when he was 6 months old and he had tonsillitis but it was obvious that he wasn’t getting better when I took him to the gp after that time. Your son does sound like he’s perking up. I would take him after the weekend if no improvement or if he suddenly gets much worse.

HPBrownSauce · 11/01/2025 11:15

KatieKat88 · 11/01/2025 10:31

In fact the first sentence says 'Most babies and children aged 3 months and over who weigh at least 5kg (11lb) can have ibuprofen for children.'

The important part is 'ibuprofen for children' - not the capsules that adults take.

It's not clear if OP is using a type for children.

thescandalwascontained · 11/01/2025 10:32

HollyKnight · 11/01/2025 09:40

Do people really ring 111 every time their child gets a cold?

He's awake, he's alert, he's eating and drinking, his fever responds to meds. He's fine! If he stops being fine, that's when you get other help. And you don't have to give him meds on a schedule. Just give it when his fever spikes and he starts to feel unwell (as long as it has been at least 4 hours since the last dose).

Totally agree.

I don't understand people who call the doctors for every illness.

KatieKat88 · 11/01/2025 10:31

In fact the first sentence says 'Most babies and children aged 3 months and over who weigh at least 5kg (11lb) can have ibuprofen for children.'

KatieKat88 · 11/01/2025 10:30

HPBrownSauce · 11/01/2025 10:14

@Anxiousmother23 children under 7 should be given paracetamol not ibuprofen.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-children/who-can-and-cannot-take-ibuprofen-for-children/#:~:text=Younger%20babies%20aged%201%20month,aged%2012%20years%20and%20over.

Don't get overly worried about temperature.
It's normal to have a high temp- his body is fighting the virus.

Give him lots of fluids, soup, toast, whatever he fancies.

This is almost just a cold or another virus.

Maybe because he's usually healthy you are very worried but what you've described does not sound serious enough to need a dr.

Show quote history

That just says 'some types of ibuprofen' aren't suitable for under 7s and under 12s - not that ibuprofen as a whole isn't suitable. The liquid ones you can buy are typically suitable as long as you follow the dosing guidelines.

HPBrownSauce · 11/01/2025 10:15

Heyprawn · 11/01/2025 09:54

That’s because a temp that high is more unusual for an adult than it is a child

Show quote history

Really? Why do you say that? It's not true.

HPBrownSauce · 11/01/2025 10:14

Anxiousmother23 · 11/01/2025 09:36

Since ibuprofen his forehead temp is now reading 38.1.
He is drinking a smoothie at the moment and watching the tv under a blanket.
Cheeks are flushed and looking heavy eyed.

@Anxiousmother23 children under 7 should be given paracetamol not ibuprofen.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-children/who-can-and-cannot-take-ibuprofen-for-children/#:~:text=Younger%20babies%20aged%201%20month,aged%2012%20years%20and%20over.

Don't get overly worried about temperature.
It's normal to have a high temp- his body is fighting the virus.

Give him lots of fluids, soup, toast, whatever he fancies.

This is almost just a cold or another virus.

Maybe because he's usually healthy you are very worried but what you've described does not sound serious enough to need a dr.

nhs.uk

Who can and cannot take ibuprofen for children

NHS medicines information on who can take ibuprofen for children and who may not be able to take it.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-children/who-can-and-cannot-take-ibuprofen-for-children#:~:text=Younger%20babies%20aged%201%20month,aged%2012%20years%20and%20over.

Heyprawn · 11/01/2025 09:54

Sugargliderwombat · 11/01/2025 08:32

I am pregnant and mine was higher than this with a shocking cough a couple of weeks ago. 111 said it was only too high because I was on day 5 and having other symptoms of a chest infection. Not sure if that helps.

Show quote history

That’s because a temp that high is more unusual for an adult than it is a child

Iwishiwasagiraffe · 11/01/2025 09:53

I wouldn’t call 111 or take my child in for this because he is eating, drinking, alert and his temp is not too high. All very normal with a virus.

I would be on the lookout for temp getting very high and any problems with breathing- viral induced wheeze was an issue both my kids often had. You can see if they are ‘sucking in’ under their ribs or the bottom of their neck. I would take my child in for this and also if they because unusually sleepy, weren’t eating or drinking.

however, he’s your child not mine so if you feel it’s more than just a virus and it’s something to be concerned about then make an appt for him or call 111.

lostinthememory · 11/01/2025 09:52

Anxiousmother23 · 11/01/2025 09:36

Since ibuprofen his forehead temp is now reading 38.1.
He is drinking a smoothie at the moment and watching the tv under a blanket.
Cheeks are flushed and looking heavy eyed.

He has a cold, or the flu. He doesn't need a GP, or 111 or A&E at the moment. He's eating, drinking and resting. Get your partner to watch him while you go for a nap, encourage him to nap and graze at food as he wants and keep him in the warm

beetr00 · 11/01/2025 09:46

@Anxiousmother23

just fyi

Porcuporpoise · 11/01/2025 09:44

OP obviously I can't see him and ultimately it's your decision but nothing you say are raising any particular alarms bells to me. He sounds poorly but not dangerously so, and in your situation my inclination would be to keep him well wrapped up at home and see how he goes.

BlueMum16 · 11/01/2025 09:44

Give him plenty of fluids and regular Calpol and ibuprofen, every 4 or 6 hours, whatever the labels says for his age. To to alternative so one at 8am the other at 10am so they are spread out.
Don't let him over heat. Hopefully he'll sleep it off today.

Can you get to a pharmacy for advice and a proper thermometer?

if you are still concerned ring 111. They can sometimes just arrange prescriptions over the phone or can make out of hours appointments.

Personally I wouldn't take him a walk in and have to set and wait for hours.

HollyKnight · 11/01/2025 09:40

Do people really ring 111 every time their child gets a cold?

He's awake, he's alert, he's eating and drinking, his fever responds to meds. He's fine! If he stops being fine, that's when you get other help. And you don't have to give him meds on a schedule. Just give it when his fever spikes and he starts to feel unwell (as long as it has been at least 4 hours since the last dose).

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