We're going to have to go back to hospital, aren't we? :-(

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I'm waiting for a callback from 111 but I feel like I already know how this is going to go. DD (20 months) has had a cough since February. Numerous negative covid tests but a six day stay in hospital in July for upper and lower respiratory tract infections. She was coughing a little worse than usual this evening (however nursery didn't say anything so must have been okay earlier) and her temp was 38.5 so I gave her calpol, put her to bed at 7pm as usual, checked temp an hour later and it was 39.2, checked again twenty minutes ago (at 9.45pm) and it's 40.1. Called 111 and now waiting for someone to phone me.

We're going to have to take her to hospital, aren't we? The calpol should have taken her temp down but it's not, she's getting hotter. I'm dreading this. I'm so emotionally exhausted from my poor little toddler being unwell for so long. As for work tomorrow . . . I started a new job recently and I'm going to need to ask for time off already

You need to get her to a and e NOW!!
Never mind any phone call...GO!!

Have you given any ibuprofen yet? Might be worth trying whilst you're waiting.

Don't wait. With a temp o like that go now.

Off to a and e without waiting for a call back is what you need to do

Hope she is ok

Unlayer her, strip her down, don’t worry about work. Hope all goes well x

If you’re worried go now. Parents know best.

I would go to a&e now, her temp is way too high and it's gone up since you gave paracetamol.

Yes, they'll want her in hospital I think. I hope she's a bit brighter very soon. Work will understand.

That’s a really high temperature, I’d take her to A&E as it’s not coming down with paracetamol.

Should be coming down with calpol but as PP says have you tried ibuprofen.

Can you rouse her? Is her chest sucking in when she breathes?

Temps can be scary but with no rigours (fitting/shakes), sucking in beneath the ribs or breathing issues it’s not panic stations just yet. Though 111 are likely to say OOH Drs or A&E.

I’d be more concerned about the length of time, mine went though repeated broncholitis, and eventually was given an inhaler for asthma and has enlarged tonsils abs adenoids making things worse. Scary times but she’s grown out of it all now x

I would go to the hospital. We had a bad experience when calpol didn't work. Better to be safe

You are obviously aware of high temps etc but as no other symptoms it's not necessary to panic instantly. Ibuprofen will bring the temp down quicker. DD had a temp of 39.2 which couldn't come down with calpol alone, but did with ibuprofen. You can use them in conjunction with each other but you can only do 3 doses of ibuprofen in 24Hrs not 4 like calpol. She's 2, not a newborn so a high temp is not quite as serious but def figh 111 for an out of hours app at a&e to get her checked

With a temperature that high, yes you do really.

Definitely give ibuprofen as well it'll help bring her temp down. As others have said go to a&e my son had to have a few trips due to a viral wheeze, which ended up actually being asthma. Quite often being ill with a temperature or even a sickness bug would trigger his asthma/ breathing as it was like his body was fighting that and forgetting to breath.

Ibuprofen isn't recommended for asthmatics. With her history it's something to be aware of as it can exacerbate breathing difficulties. Take her to be checked out.
Best of luck.

Does she normally run high temperatures? What's she normally like when ill? Is she drowsy?

I ask because lovely dd2 used to hit 40.5-41 when ill, and it would stick for 2-3 days on full ibroprofen and calpol. She'd be running round playing with those temperatures, so the doctor wasn't too worried.
My other two would be obviously ill before their temperature hit 38.5.

Also what time did you give the calpol?
You said she went down at 7pm after calpol. So I'm guessing you gave calpol around 6:30, so now at 10pm, you're 3.5 hours after calpol so it may well be wearing off.

But the big thing is how is she behaving? Asleep, can't rouse easily? Yes, rush her off to A&E. Sitting up wanting cuddles, and showing some interest? Then I'd give her some ibroprofen and see how she is in half an hour.

You know how she normally is, so you need to make the decision. If you're at all worried, or unsure, then better to be safe than sorry.

Hope you get a call back soon. Whilst you’re waiting pack a bag for you both assuming you’re going to be in overnight.

Yes I think like others she needs to be seen soon. Make sure the hospital check for sepsis - I very much think they will, but make sure.

Outside of the immediate issue, have you seen a paediatrician for investigations into any underlying cause of the frequent illness? We've been through similar and it is exhausting but do have some explanations after a lot of tests. Happy to discuss if you message me.

Another vote for ibuprofen. My little one was prone to 40 degree temperatures at that age and ibuprofen worked better than calpol. It can be so worrying but like others have said, it's more so in conjunction with things like being unable to wake her, dry nappies etc. If in doubt, get checked out. That's my motto. Hope you are seen quickly

I'd keep her dosed up, keep a very close eye on her and add long as there are no other worrying symptoms, I'd see about contacting the dr in the morning. I wouldn't rush off to A&E personally, and it's not in the nhs to guidelines on dealing with fever to either

I would always take a child with a temperature of 39.9 or over to A&E if it's not helped with pain relief. 40 or over they are at risk of seizures and complications from the temp alone.

My dd2 always spikes very high 40+ temps when unwell and it’s really worrying. I’d check her breathing and colour of her skin and let her rest at home i I f she seems stable but any change then straight to hospital.

They aren’t that fussed about temperatures on there own to be honest once they are that age. Only in babies under 6 months. We got given a useful leaflet about it when DD was in several times. As long as alert and not floppy and drinking/urinating with good enough sats then temp isn’t an issue as the temperature isn’t harmful in itself. It’s actually the way the immune system works to kill the virus.
Obviously always best to get them seen, but we were discharged very quickly 3 times even though her temp kept spiking. We were only kept in once for croup.
Nurofen is much better than Calpol and alternated usually works well.
Don’t panic, it doesn’t sound too bad.

I have a child who used to spike above 40 fairly often. Nurofen usually brought it down, and I didn’t take him in because I was used to what was normal for him. Interestingly the time he has sepsis (untreated tonsillitis despite repeated GP visits) the temperature wasn’t so high. That said, I don’t know and I can’t see your child, so if you’re concerned take her in.