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Original poster

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

69 replies

RedPandaFluff · 16/09/2021 22:08

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 Sad

OP posts:
BlueberrySugar · 16/09/2021 22:46

Yes A&E. Please don't listen to the advice to give ibuprofen as no one knows her history and she could have asthma.

It is serious a temp that high. Best to get it checked rather than wait or it to get higher.

I know people mean well but can we please not down play these situations? A temp that high needs to be seen too. It doesn't matter if sucking in of the ribs hasn't happened yet or she's hard to wake YET. The sooner the better.

Hope she is on the mend soon. Don't even worry about work. Don't wait for a phone call back either.

Thunderface · 16/09/2021 22:48

@BlueberrySugar

Yes A&E. Please don't listen to the advice to give ibuprofen as no one knows her history and she could have asthma.

It is serious a temp that high. Best to get it checked rather than wait or it to get higher.

I know people mean well but can we please not down play these situations? A temp that high needs to be seen too. It doesn't matter if sucking in of the ribs hasn't happened yet or she's hard to wake YET. The sooner the better.

Hope she is on the mend soon. Don't even worry about work. Don't wait for a phone call back either.

I totally agree. The on going cough and the episode of hospitalisation sounds like my asthmatic dd as a toddler.

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BlackberryMuncher · 16/09/2021 22:51

If you take some layers off, be careful her skin doesn't get cold as her body will try to heat her up, best to keep a light layer on her

Best wishes x

Wakeupin2022 · 16/09/2021 22:53

You do need medical advice.

I would have thought Calpol would have worked a little bit more but it never really did as good a job with my DC as Nurofen. That almost did too good a job and wollild make DS lively. If I wanted any sleep I never gave him Nurofen after about 2. Obv if he needed it he would get it, but never for teething etc.

Both DC could spike really high temps- especially overnight. They were never particularly poorly.

I don't think you would be unreasonable to go to A&E but try not to worry too much - some kids just tend to spike really high temps.

Theluggage15 · 16/09/2021 22:58

That’s a really good leaflet Megan. I like the ‘treat your child, not the number’. Hope your little one is ok OP.

Greygreenblue · 16/09/2021 23:05

What is her breathing like - i.e. is that spot in middle of neck near clavical sucking in? What is her breathing rate? Is she getting that crease at bottom of ribs?

My DD was in and out of hospital with pneumonia around that age. The fever is only one part of the story (my other daughter also used to randomly throw very high fevers that were hard to bring down, with little other symptoms… actually she’s 7 and still does it).

If her work at breathing is up she needs to go in and you will go straight through.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 16/09/2021 23:12

There is a lot of out of date and incorrect advice on here:

A fever of 39.2 doesn't necessarily mean that she needs to go to A&E: it depends on how she is in other respects.

It is no longer recommended to strip off children with a high fever.

Ibuprofen is safe for most asthmatics, and asthma is not a contraindication to using it, unless there is a history of problems.

Ultimately though, no one on MN can tell you how to treat your child, or what medication is is appropriate to try, because we are not in a position to assess her. Go on your own assessment. If you feel she is seriously unwell, or that she is deteriorating, go to A&E.

Hope she is on the mend soon.

Original poster
RedPandaFluff · 16/09/2021 23:13

Gave her ibuprofen and then 111 called back, en route to hospital now. Thank you for the advice, everyone.

OP posts:
Liviannaranna · 16/09/2021 23:14

@MargaretThursday

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.

I agree with this. If she's OK in herself kids run high temps sometimes and that's OK ( the high temps are beneficial to fight infection). I'd go by her behaviour x
Rainallnight · 16/09/2021 23:16

I hope she’s ok. Flowers My DS always spikes a fever like that if he has a throat infection or something. The first time it happened, I was terrified, but now I’m sort of used to it. Let us know how she is.

ittakes2 · 16/09/2021 23:17

Try not to worry - you can and I do suggest you give her nurifen - my son used to regularly get 40 plus temperatures. He got them so often the school insisted if he was well in himself he should go in with a 40 plus temp - the GP would sign him off to go to school with 40 plus temps.
If nurifen does not make a difference than from my experience it could be she has an infection like in her ear, throat or chest.

lannistunut · 16/09/2021 23:18

Good luck. I have one child who seemed to get hotter than others, but it is worrying still when it happens!

SaltedCaramelIcedLatte · 16/09/2021 23:20

Hope your LO will be okay x

LizzieSiddal · 16/09/2021 23:27

Hope all ok, glad she’ll be seen by a Dr, hopefully they’ll beable to get to the bottom of her cough this time.

morningwaffles · 16/09/2021 23:29

I hope she is ok 🥺
I'm sorry you're both having to go through this. I know it feels like whoever is answering you is a million miles away but we aren't I promise.
Take care of yourself and please update when you can. I'll be thinking both x

sprinkleyumnut · 16/09/2021 23:38

Hope your little one is okay she's definitely in the best place

Boilingicicle · 16/09/2021 23:46

I’m glad she’s going to be checked out but poor you. You must be beyond shattered in every way. Hope she is soon on the mend and you can all get some much needed rest.

SeptemberNC · 16/09/2021 23:48

Wishing her a speedy recovery x

HollowTalk · 16/09/2021 23:52

You'll be in the right place. I really hope everything goes well for your little girl.

Houseofvelour · 17/09/2021 00:04

I hope they figure out what's causing her cough and that she gets better soon x

SRS29 · 17/09/2021 00:11

Good luck OP Flowers

foxgoosefinch · 17/09/2021 00:28

My DD had similar at 18m; 111 sent an ambulance and took us in to A&E. They gave us ibuprofen while we waited, though we were there a fair few hours. DD turned out to have a bad case of tonsillitis. They like to play v safe with small kids before they are properly verbal as though it’s far more likely to be a throat virus or whatever, they want to make sure to rule out the possibility of sepsis or meningitis even though it’s v rare.

Hope your DD is on the mend soon OP!

Yaya26 · 17/09/2021 01:15

@MargaretThursday

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.

Agrre with this. When toddlers my kids seemed to be ill all the time and used to always have really high temps. I think I remember my son having a virus and having a tempeture of 42 after calpol/ibrufen. I took him to A and E. they put Dyson fans either side of himand another dose of calpol when it was due and when his temp came down we were sent home. I remember them saying not to worry about the high number on the thermometer. That a high or low temp is just a sign your body is fighting something off but that it's changes in behaviour -distress, unusual sleepiness, breathing etc that you should be concerned with.
Yaya26 · 17/09/2021 01:35

By the way. This time does pass. I had three under 2 at one stage. Up until they were about 3 they were ALWAYS sick. I remember being so tired and crying as I convinced myself that my daughter had some awful condition that hadn't been picked up on. She hadn't - it was just constant coughs colds, viruses, slap face, scarlet fever etc being passed between them. A doc said to me that it wouldn't be unusual for a child that age to have 13 viruses in a year with each lasting 2/3 weeks. So basically children that age could pretty much be sick 6 months or more out of a year. They grew out of it. The youngest are 5 and we haven't had an antibiotic in the house for anyone the past two winters. I was also told by a lady I visited for acupuncture to keep them on pure apple juice and chicken brothy soup to help with chesty things, colds asthma etc I know apple juice sounds bad sugar wise but I think there is merit in it. My sisters seven year old boy who had severe asthma also greatly improved. Xx