A&E or wait for GP – 16mo poorly

I honestly wouldn't even ring 111 or get a GP appointment for this, if it's only been a day. 2 wet nappies is fine and doesn't signal dehydration. Whinging and being unsettled is typical with a high temp (think how awful it feels to have a fever as an adult). I know it's scary but even when you feel like they're barely taking on fluids, as long as you're seeing some wet nappies that's good. The syringe advice is good, as well as ice lollies.

I'd only seek medical advice if this went on for several days, or the crying became constant and inconsolable (screaming), or if the temp wasn't coming down with Calpol or ibuprofen. Or if there were other symptoms like a rash or bad cough/laboured breathing.

I wouldn't. He sounds ill but it doesn't sound like an emergency. Fevers can make anyone feel rubbish but rest is generally the best thing. If you can't get any liquids down him at all within 24 hours then I'd go in. But a day of not drinking loads won't do him any harm

Hopefully you can get an OOH GP appointment but if you're worried take him to be seen. Always trust your gut instinct. Hope he's better soon.

Would he eat a popsicle? They sell Pedialyte ones here that you can give to get more electrolytes in.

I know you’ve called now OP, but adding this in case anyone else is looking for advice another time.

In our area, calling 111 before 8pm will usually result in an OOH GP appt by 10pm. Calling any time after that usually results in being told to go to A&E. Always call!

My 18m old DS often gets a high temperature over 39/40 when he is poorly. He becomes inconsolable got about 20 mins. I used to really worry but not so much now. Nothing indicates a and e to me for your scenario but trust your Instincts too. Also try the orange book, it's from the NHS and tells you what to do.

There is some woeful advice on this thread. Crikey.

OP, it's very scary when our little ones have high temperatures, I can sympathise. Keep up with the Calpol and brufen, alternating between the two. I have found the brufen needs at least an hour to really kick in but often works better. Remember the temperature itself isn't a bad thing - it's the body's way of killing the virus/bacteria in the body. It's only a worry if it absolutely doesn't budge as it can cause convulsions in little ones.

Don't overdress him, but don't remove all of his clothes or use a fan or anything to drop his temp too quickly. Obviously watch for rashes and any drowsiness.

111 will likely send you to A&E to cover their back, but really, unless there are other symptoms starting or his temp doesn't budge at all, it might be a wasted visit and also a potentially long trip out of the house (where you'd all be more comfortable).

As a pp mentioned, ice lollies are great for getting the fluids in, and more appealing than water. Offer foods like cucumber and strawberries that are easy to graze on and are hydrating.

Good luck op x

No tepid baths and no fans, but do use anti pyretics, strip down to vest , in hospital we gave sugary juice - squash with sugar added to keep blood sugar up in the syringe its for a short time, and nicer than dioralyte which I have struggled to get any kid to take. 5ml ever 5 mins, whilst you wait for 111 to call back.

Has he got other symptoms that are causing a fever, - cold, cough, rashes, etc it’s worrying at this age but I always say best to err on the side of caution and get some advice than sit worrying.

Wait for GP…if even that tbh. Kids that age get fevers all the time. It’s the bodies natural reaction to fight off illness. Without any other symptoms there’s really nothing to worry about.

Having been to A&E about a year ago with a child of a similar age, same symptoms but also had a rash (turned out to be hand, foot and mouth) I was sent away with a leaflet about under 5s with temperatures. Basically it really isn’t an A&E or even a GP situation and not to “try and bring the temperature down”. Calpol and Nurophen are fine to make him more comfortable but tepid baths, cold flannels etc is all outdated advice and very much discouraged.

*anything like this

Apologies if I haven’t read all replies or up to date from you OP but I personally would go to A&E-before I get berated about going in ‘just with a fever’, my little boy has had bacterial tonsillitis about 3 times (he is just 2), however, one of the times he stopped drinking anything but sips for 2 days (a GP had said on day 2 that he would likely be fine as he had been!) and then stopped weeing and then needed admitting for fluid replenishment. It’s not to say it is tonsillitis of course but I never take chances with my boy after that fact and I have been a further twice to A&E with him and have never been made to feel a fool with him as I know how bad it can get very quickly. You could be in for a lengthy wait of course according to what else is in but at least if there’s any deterioration you’re in the right place. I hope your little one feels better soon ❤️

I wouldn't go to A&E I would ring 111. They've never sent us to A&E with anything like us. They've been sent to out of hours though. He's still so little is call. Might have a sore throat if he won't drink.

I’d wait it out.

Wet nappies indicates he’s drinking some. A temperature itself isn’t a reason to take them in.

111 will just direct you to A&E in my personal experience so might as well decide whether you think it’s an emergency or not and it doesn’t sound like one based on what you’ve said.

Fluids, medicine and rest.

In that case, trust your instincts. Hope he’s better soon.

In my experience it takes half hour for meds to start working ie reduce temp by 0.1/2 something like that and then up to an hour to get the temp down. So I would bear that in mind before taking further action. Definitely try the syringes too to get fluids in as that's what they'd do in hospital to hydrate not an IV initially. It's awful when they're ill and temps are really unsettling. Being clingy and unwell isn't a red flag - a temp that doesn't come down with meds is a red flag as is not taking fluids/dry nappies but you're not quite there with that yet.

If you're worried definitely call 111.

Purely based on the symptoms you've described I wouldn't be worried though, it's only been a few hours and they have wet nappies (2 in a afternoon seems pretty normal to me as well).
I would continue to try milk and water, or any drink they like, but again it's only been a few hours without drinking so as long as you have wet nappies and they don't have sign of dehydration that's fine.

For the fever, alternate Calpol and neurofen every 3h (sticking to the max dose per day on the patient leaflet unless recommended otherwise by a medical professional). Calpol has never worked in my kids for high fever, neurofen is much more efficient in my experience.

I wouldn't go to A&E personally, but trust your gut. Definitely give nurofen - much better than calpol for temps. And ignore the advice above about bringing their temp down with baths, stripping off clothes etc. Febrile seizures are caused by a rapid change in temp, not having a high temp. Nappy and a vest, calpol and nurofen every 4 hours, water in a syringe and a lolly. 111 might just send you to A&E anyway because of their age, you will be top priority for a call back anyway. It shouldn't be long. Worth calling if you're worried.

Febrile convulsion is not a high temperature - it's the temperature rising quickly.

Ice lollies are good for getting in fluids when they are otherwise refusing.

I would wait it out. You’ve said nothing to me to warrant A&E.

Have you called 111 yet for some medical advice?