Baby has a temperature - When to worry?

[CallingFromLondon]

I'm really feeling quite clueless because my son is 14 months old and it's the first time he's been unwell.

Yesterday he was very 'easily upset' and wouldn't stop crying at one point. That all changed come 7pm (the unwell thing started at about 4.30pm). He went to sleep.

He woke up at about 11pm last night, he could've easily gone back to sleep but he was boiling hot! I brought him down to watch the rest of the film with me and DH. He just lay in my arms silently watching the film... I found it really strange. He's extremely lively and he's never just sat and watched something before. I gave calpol and we went to bed.

I woke him again at 5am because he was absolutely boiling again. He's just woken again now and still, temp hasn't changed. Boiling again and in my arms half asleep, fading into the distance with his eyes. It's horrible to see.

When do you start to panic and act on these sort of symptoms? I really don't know

His feet are a lot cooler than the rest of him and have been since last night, but by no means stone cold.

I've checked for a suspicious looking rash and there isn't one, just a bit of what I think could be skin change looks wise because of how hot he is.

Bump x

Phone nhs 24 for advice.

Also its scary when they not well and its unusual for them.

No one will thing you wasting time etc for a child. Better to check and obtain professional advice.

Have you taken his temp?

I haven't taken his temperature because I can't find the thermometer And can't put him down to have a proper look

Does he have any other symptoms? A cold or cough?

If he had a low grade fever and symptoms of a cold I wouldn't worry too much but if he has a very temperature with no obvious cause I'd be a lot more concerned.

He doesn't have any type of cold

The skin on his arms looks different to his back.

I'm on phone to GP surgery now... waiting to get through

To be honest with those symptoms I would get a medical opinion to be honest and would go to the GP (mine are brilliant though at emergency appointments)

Seriously get the thermometer. Children can get like this if they have a fever that isn't being managed. Are you keeping on top of the calpol?

I think you are right to phone GP.
Hope he feels better soon.

Have you given calpol this morning? If not give some now so he does not over heat. Hopefully your GPs will be helpful.

In the meantime don't wrap him up, also do not try and cool his body down with cool water.

Keep giving paracetamol when needed and try giving fluids, even if it is a little but often.

Hope he is ok.

Get him seen
You need an accurate temp plus he has mottling and cold peripheries and is drowsy and part responsive from your description?

Could be just a virus could be something more. It needs to be a medical call and he needs checking out ASAP

To put your mind at rest get an urgent gp appointment. It will likely be viral I've been through it so many times with mine but its scary. Ibuprofen for fever, I find Calpol rubbish unless it's something mild.

Thank you

I have a GP appointment for 11am for him. Going to have a hunt for the thermometer

He sounds lethargic - that's when I would worry about a fever so glad you've managed to get an appointment for him.

Natsku It's awful to see, isn't it?

He's never really had even much of a cold so I'm a bit panicked. I'm really not use to this sort of stuff I'm sure there will be much more to come in coming years

For now, holding him skin to skin will help regulate his temperature (assuming your temperature is normal) Plenty of fluids and remember to keep an eye on his pee/poop output too. Hope he gets well soon.

Almost identical thing happening with my ds (18 months) only he was fine before bed and I only noticed his fever when I went up at 10:30. He’s not had so much as a sniffle before and it’s scary the first time they’re ill. You’re doing the right thing taking him to the GP (our appointment is 11 too!)

DS has had high temperatures caused by a virus of unknown origin twice it can be scary.

Definitely find the thermometer or buy one today. It is reassuring because you can see when temp is actually coming down, and sometimes when you think they feel hot and you take the temp it can show they aren't actually that bad. We call ours the zapper in our house!

Sounds viral. Try get a thermometer so you know what is temp actually is.
Does he perk up after calpol?

I found the thermometer! His temp is 38.1

HalfBlood Sorry to hear your little one is so poorly too. Good luck at the GP