Do you give calpol for a high temperature and at what point?

[Makinganewthinghappen]

My 5 year old woke up this morning and happily skipped into our room but when I touched her she was burning hot. She was acting totally fine but I took her temp because she was red in the face and as I say felt hot. It was 39.5.

All day she has been hot but acting normal. Now she has a slight upset tummy and her temp was 39.8 when I checked before. She still doesn’t seem that unwell. I have given her calpol this evening because 39.8 seemed really high but I’m just wondering if it’s best to bring down the fever or not!

I have no idea where she has picked this up we haven’t seen anyone or been out for quite a while!!

39.8 is very high, I would definitely try to bring it down and ring 111 if it does not stay down.

At 5 no, I wouldn't, unless she is miserable with it or has history of febrile seizures. Let the fever do its job.

Young babies/toddlers I do, if they seem unhappy then I do. Otherwise I was always told it's best to leave it, plenty of fluids and let it run its course.

I always find the NHS website sensible

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

Fevers freak me out, rightly or wrongly, so I always give calpol or ibu (or both, if need be) to try and bring them down.

My DD used to be like this sometimes with a fever - acting very happy, even hyperactive.

I’d get a covid test and I wouldn’t treat it unless she is uncomfortable or upset.

Midnight - I gave it to her about 20 minutes ago and her temp is 39.9 now hopefully it will start working soon. She is happily sitting next to me watching Ben and holly.
I think she is feeling a bit “off” she would normally be asleep now but shes not able to settle but that’s it really.

Bertie - no she has no history or fits etc - she was I. Hospital when she was a baby with a few chest infections but since then she’s been very well.

I give calpol as soon as theres a whiff of poorly. Just like if I feel off I'll take paracetamol and take more 4 hours later.

You need to book her a covid test.

Yes I give calpol as soon as they have a high temp.

You should book a covid test.

I don’t treat fevers unless they are miserable with it. They serve a purpose- to heat the body to a temperature viruses and bacteria can’t survive.

Reduce the temperature and you stop the body getting rid of the infection.

Although one of mine absolutely would bot take medication as a baby so we were forced to let the temp run it’s course. She had swine flu one christmas with temps of about 40- we just did the light clothes, fluids, tepid flannel on the forehead type nursing care.

What I often do though is dose up before bed, just to make them more comfortable and increase the chance of decent rest, as I also think that contributes to healing.

I never gave calpol for that. My eldest dd often went that high with any illness, so we were used to it.

Covid test but also try and get urine dipped, it could be a uti. 2 weeks ago it was the only symptom my then 2 yr old displayed of a very bad UTI that required 10 days strong antibiotics.

No, I wouldn’t but if you do, usually ibuprofen is more effective at bringing down temperatures than paracetamol. The body has a fever to fight an infection which is what you want it to do. Only medicate if ill, over 40 or is quickly spiking (because that is what will cause a fit; not whether a child has a history of them or not).

All that said, I would medicate at 37.8C if my child felt unwell with it.

And yes to a covid test. You need to isolate in the meantime.

I have ordered a home test - I don’t drive so can’t get to a test centre. I think it will come tomorrow if I ordered it today? No one else in the house has any symptoms

I should add we have stayed in today and will until we get the test results just in case!

Depends, I don’t always take the temperature. Usually if one of mine is unwell and feeling crap yes i will give them something to make them feel better, just as I’d take something if I felt pants.

So if you’d not taken her temp you’d not know she was hot? She’s maybe not quite herself but still bright and happy. I tend to look at my kids, are they lethargic, rash, cold hands and feet, low fluid intake, obvious pain or discomfort, pale/discoloured lips etc a temp is just one part of the picture. I’ll add that if I’m concerned but I don’t tend to medicate just because of a high temp (with no other symptoms) obs your child is 5 so not a baby or toddler - I’d give paracetamol to an infant under 1 with a temp of 38c or over.

Hope your wee one is feeling better soon op

Crappy - when she came in this morning I felt her and she just felt really hot to touch - and she has been a little flushed etc.

Perhaps brewing something, could be covid. I think people are checking temps more than they would’ve before. I’ve lent my thermometer to my ex so reminds me to get it back. Hopefully it’ll come to nothing

Not quite what you asked but just FYI ibuprofen is more effective at lowering temps than calpol. Hope her test comes back negative

Also FYI if her temp sky rockets it’s safe to give a double dose of either calpol OR ibuprofen. It’s what they’d do at the doctors.
I have a child whose temp would go above 40 and they’d almost fit with a temp- our GP said try double dosing before and if that doesn’t get the temp under control then seek further medical advice. Good luck.

@Bubbletiers

Also FYI if her temp sky rockets it’s safe to give a double dose of either calpol OR ibuprofen. It’s what they’d do at the doctors. I have a child whose temp would go above 40 and they’d almost fit with a temp- our GP said try double dosing before and if that doesn’t get the temp under control then seek further medical advice. Good luck.

Please, don't be telling people to double dose their children. It's completely irresponsible and down right dangerous.

Her temp doesn’t seem to be coming down at all but she is falling asleep at least now.

Agree. I am a doctor and have never ever told anyone to give a double dose of paracetamol / ibuprofen and would never ever give that to my own kids.

To answer the original question - would give calpol if they seem poorly. Probably not just for a temperature.

NHS advice is not to give paracetamol to lower temperatures. It's the body's way of fighting infections.

I give painkillers if they are miserable/in pain or can't sleep with it though.

I thought Calpol specifically says on the box not to be used solely for high temperatures?
No I wouldn't.