A&E or wait for GP – 16mo poorly

Alternate calpol/nurofen every three hours. GP appointment asap in morning so they can check what cause is.

Had similar. 111 advised to go to A&E but think this was over cautious as never actually got admitted, was handed rehydration sachet and syringe in waiting room, advised to give 10ml every 10 mins. Sent home once had a wet nappy, Syringing water into DC much easier at home than crowded A&E waiting room.

I’d definitely give 111 a call OP. We’ve always been lucky in that they’ve called back quickly and the responses have varied from a video call with a doctor, an appointment made with our own GP and an appointment at A&E booked (which sped up the triage bit as they’d done most of that over the phone). I’ve been really impressed with their responses and they clearly prioritise calls for young children. It’s worth calling them if you’re worried.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

The nhs advice is here (link above didn’t work for me). But personally I wouldn’t go to A&E with a high temperature unless something else additional was of concern eg, non blanching rash, dehydration, abnormal breathing.

DS1 often had 39/40 temperatures when he was a toddler and it was usually a tonsil/chest infection, often needing antibiotics. I’d call 111 in the first instance as suggested by pp.

I read this exact thread earlier today (except the OP had already called 111 and had been advised to "monitor")

It disappeared as I was composing my reply.

When did you give the nurofen op? If temp still doesn't go down after an hour then I would be going to a&e. Ime nurofen is so much better than calpol for temps

Use nurofen for temp

Use the Calpol syringe and syringe in 5-10mls of water every 5-10 minutes for the next hour. Sometimes just getting them hydrated makes a huge difference to the fever and improves their symptoms.

Hi op, just linking the latest nhs guidance on caring for a little one with fever as there’s some outdated advice being shared here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/.

I hope your DS is feeling better soon. How soon is the temp coming up after calpol? I prob wouldn’t take a child in if their temp came down with calpol but you can never be too careful. I’d call 111 and see what they suggest - we did this before with DD at 3 and they got us an ooh appointment

This is ridiculous

Also - 111 prioritise call backs for kids under 5

I second not going to A&E
Also the advice about alternating ibuprofen and calpol (my DS once had a stubborn fever that calpol didn’t do much for but baby nurofen worked wonders)
If the above does not work in bringing down the temp, seek medical advice

I've had a quick response from 111 whenever I've had to call with my daughter, and offered OOH GP appointments (even at 2am). It does seem to differ based on your area though. I wouldn't go to A&E for a high fever personally, but I would go if there were no wet nappies or any other signs of dehydration. I hope he perks up soon- it's such an awful worry when they're poorly!

Try sips of water/milk every few minutes, they will likely say to do this in an and e anyway. Also ice lolly as pp said x

If not drinking then you can give water from syringe.
Trust your instinct - if you are worried then best to get him checked over.

@vitjab1988 you need to get baby's temp down. you do not want a febrile convulsion happening. temp is nearly 40degrees more calpol if within the reasonable time and get yourself with baby to a/e now. take off clothes and try to cool them a bit. do you have a fan/

I wouldn't go to A&E for that. A temperature is normal reaction to being a bit unwell and of itself is not alarming, though of course you should watch him closely.

Do not follow the tepid bath advice or otherwise try to make him cold.

You can alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen if you think he needs it.

Obviously if his behaviour changes and he is screaming a lot, or becomes very sleepy (and it isn't bed time), consider a trip to A and E. In the meantime, if he isn't taking fluids perhaps his throat is sore- try an ice lolly?

I personally wouldn’t rush to A&E with just a fever, especially if it’s being brought down with calpol. What I did was alternated calpol / nurofen (mine are late teens now so not sure if that advice has changed). I’d have had a lot of A&E trips if went in with a high temp. I would definitely call 111 first, I would have thought this is an out of hrs GP issue, not A&E so I don’t think you’d be wasting your time ringing them. Obviously if symptoms changed whilst waited for a doc to call then i’d go to A&E buf as things stand, I personally don’t think it’s an A&E issue, but obviously i’m just going on what’s written here, and your call. Try syringing in some water if he is refusing to drink water. Hope he’s on the mend soon

I'd definitely call 111 and not just wait for GP though - also means if it gets worse you can call back and they'll fast track you a bit I think - if they think you need a&e they'll tell you right away

If there's been wet nappies today then it's not dire dehydration so I wouldn't go to a&e. Call 111 if worried, they answer the calls quickly and give advice based on how urgent they think it is. But if you're really worried then just go, they won't mind (I just wouldn't want to be sat in a&e all night, no way you'll get seen quickly as wouldn't be a high priority)

I also think 111 as you may get an out of hour GP appointment rather than a very long wait in A and E. I hope he feels better soon x

Call 111, whilst you wait as they may give an OOHs appt try ibuprofen for the temps instead as long as no allergies..tends to work better. Also anything he will have fluids wise very frequent, sips of very dilute squash, ice pops will help.