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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this doesn’t need hospital attention?

30 replies

Obeseandashamed · 13/11/2025 00:01

Just to clarify, I am worried about my child but don’t think this needs the hospital. AIBU? 3 yo has had fever for 48 hours. It has not dropped below 38.4 and at its highest has been 40.1•c. Fluids are being drank but not had much of an appetite. We are alternating between calpol and nurofen but it’s not helping beyond bringing the temperature down by approx 1 degree. He has no rash but has a cold so I’m inclined to think the fever is related to that. AIBU to think this can wait until the morning & call the docs or should I be making a trip to A&E? Husband thinks it’s an A&E job for tonight. I am not so sure!?!

OP posts:
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ChillWith · 17/11/2025 07:07

Hope you and your son are feeling much better soon. My son had similar back in v early 2020. I suspect he had covid before we knew anything about it

HappydaysArehere · 17/11/2025 05:15

Well you did the right thing and the.hospital are dealing with it. Do hope your little one is soon feeling better. It’s such a worry.

ChocolateAndCrispsAndBiscuits · 17/11/2025 05:00

And that is ehy people should not be advising on medical issues

A temperature that doesnt go down with meds is a red flag

Studyunder · 17/11/2025 04:16

Wishing you both well soon.

PennyRest · 17/11/2025 03:20

i hope you’re both ok OP. Flu is horrible.

cannynotsay · 17/11/2025 03:00

Oh bless him! Poor thing hope he gets better soon

Original poster
Obeseandashamed · 17/11/2025 01:48

Following on from my previous post, we ended up at A&E tonight as I couldn’t bring my child’s temperature down. He tested positive for influenza A which explains why he has been so poorly. I suspect I’ve also caught a milder version from him as I feel rotten too. They’ve kept him in as even with paracetamol/ibuprofen they haven’t been able to get his temperature below 39.7 😢

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 13/11/2025 06:16

I’ve had 3 DC - all grown up but wouldn’t have gone to A&E just for a high temp. As it’s been 2 days i’d see the GP today.

Suednymph · 13/11/2025 06:14

One of mine always had high temps and never really ill just used to burn off the infections but I would be same as you and not want to go to a&e for a temp. There was one worrying time when they were 2 and had febrille convulsions due to the temp but has not had one since and thats over 13 years ago now. Hopefully your dc is ok now.

Bearbookagainandagain · 13/11/2025 06:06

At my eldest 6 weeks HV review, I got frustrated when the assistant told me about the "great resource" that was NHS.co.uk to get information about children illnesses. That was amongst a long list of - what I found - obvious and therefore useless advices.

Now realising on Mumsnet that apparently no one actually read that website that is, indeed, very helpful to get information about children illnesses (and adults).

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

nhs.uk

High temperature (fever) in children

Find out how to check if your child has a high temperature (fever), what you can do to bring their temperature down, and when to get medical help.

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

JustMe2026 · 13/11/2025 06:01

Tbh it's not a huge temp rise, some of mine have had higher and it's still been viral bugs when they were ill last year..Hope little one is better soon :)

MumChp · 13/11/2025 05:53

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 13/11/2025 03:52

Don't be ridiculous.
The child is taking fluids.
A and E is not for this kind of thing.

Show quote history

In UK it seems to be.
In most European countries it would be 'oh child +1 yo eats and drinks not in a lot of pain'. Go see GP in a few hours/ tomorrow.

111/A&E in UK - I have never seen so many patients not in in need of urgent care the few months I worked for that part of NHS.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 13/11/2025 03:52

Caramelsleftlip · 13/11/2025 00:05

Seriously, your child has a high temperature and your questioning it?
Go to a&e

Don't be ridiculous.
The child is taking fluids.
A and E is not for this kind of thing.

Mmmm19 · 13/11/2025 03:48

Caramelsleftlip · 13/11/2025 00:05

Seriously, your child has a high temperature and your questioning it?
Go to a&e

A&e would be overran and children all I’ve thr country would be missing out on a comfy nights sleep if they went in with a fever m, even higher ones for 48 hour. As long as no other concerning signs this is most likely a normal mild virus

Original poster
Obeseandashamed · 13/11/2025 03:38

Have been to the out of hours. They decided it is just viral and will pass. Ear canals are a little red but nothing major so wrote a note for the GP to review and decide whether to prescribe antibiotics.

OP posts:
Tryinghardtobefair · 13/11/2025 00:59

Obeseandashamed · 13/11/2025 00:01

Just to clarify, I am worried about my child but don’t think this needs the hospital. AIBU? 3 yo has had fever for 48 hours. It has not dropped below 38.4 and at its highest has been 40.1•c. Fluids are being drank but not had much of an appetite. We are alternating between calpol and nurofen but it’s not helping beyond bringing the temperature down by approx 1 degree. He has no rash but has a cold so I’m inclined to think the fever is related to that. AIBU to think this can wait until the morning & call the docs or should I be making a trip to A&E? Husband thinks it’s an A&E job for tonight. I am not so sure!?!

Have you got any urine dipsticks? My daughter had the same symptoms a few weeks ago and it was a UTI. Once she had antibiotics her temperature dropped and her "cold" disappeared xx

ChocolateAndCrispsAndBiscuits · 13/11/2025 00:48

That will just be sent to everyone.
I suspect and hope you will be called soon although with your update about your childs history i think i wouldnt waste time and just go to A&E now

Izzywizzy85 · 13/11/2025 00:46

Caramelsleftlip · 13/11/2025 00:05

Seriously, your child has a high temperature and your questioning it?
Go to a&e

Seriously??
Read the NHS website on childhood fevers. The OP has acted totally reasonably, no need for silly hysterics and trying to make her feed like a shit mum.
https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/
a link to educate yourself 👍🏻

nhs.uk

High temperature (fever) in children

Find out how to check if your child has a high temperature (fever), what you can do to bring their temperature down, and when to get medical help.

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

LushLemonTart · 13/11/2025 00:39

I hope you don't have too long to wait. I agree you did the right thing.

Kay00 · 13/11/2025 00:32

That will be a stock response. You still did the right thing. Especially for a child x

Kay00 · 13/11/2025 00:31

I think you did the right thing Op, it's so hard to judge sometimes! Hopefully the GP will advise whether they need to see you tonight or if it can wait to the morning.

Original poster
Obeseandashamed · 13/11/2025 00:30

😭😭😭 Just as I pressed send, I’ve had a text message from the 111 service to say:

Dear parent/guardian of (deleted),

Lots of people are using the Out of Hours GP service. It could be several hours before you are called back.

Please call 111 for reassessment if you start to feel worse. ONLY ring 999 or attend A&E in an emergency.

If you can wait until your GP opens or if you start to feel better and you no longer need a call, please follow the link to cancel. Visit https://www.nhs.uk/ for more advice.

TO RESPOND, please follow this link: accurx.nhs.uk/c/p-bkdjghkkte

Thanks,
LCD Mobiles

Authenticate with date of birth or NHS login - Accurx Patient Portal

Authenticate with date of birth or NHS login

https://accurx.nhs.uk/c/p-bkdjghkkte

OP posts:
Original poster
Obeseandashamed · 13/11/2025 00:29

I have just called 111 who have referred us for a 1hr telephone assessment with a local GP service. Thank you- it seems perhaps I was being a little too relaxed about it. My child was born prem so we spent a lot of time in and out of hospital with various respiratory infections and febrile seizures as a result of fevers in the first 2 winters. I was often treated like an overreacting parent for going in so I suspect this time, I have ended up at the other end of the spectrum and been too relaxed about it. Child is generally ok albeit not their usual self and very clingy, wanting to cuddle and not do very much but I suppose that is typical with feeling under the weather.

OP posts:
FrothyCothy · 13/11/2025 00:24

I’d also recommend 111 - we had reason to call last night, call handler was wonderful as was the clinician who called us back after the initial screening.

ChocolateAndCrispsAndBiscuits · 13/11/2025 00:21

How is he in himself?

The fact the temperature hasnt been normal at all amd meds arent lowering it for over 48 hours would concern me.