5year old with covid, temp of 40.3

[MyComputerGetsSadWithoutMe]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has any advice, my 5 year old tested positive for covid this morning and his temperature is 40.3, he's been having regular calpol but I know ibuprofen isn't advised for covid, he also has asthma so the doctor advised us before to avoid if possible I don't know why. His temp has at its lowest gone to 38.6, I'm really worried. He's so sleepy, he's usually a big ball of energy and the last time he had covid he wasn't very unwell really :(

Pleased you got advice from nurse, as I was about to mention tepid cloth - also remove any duvet or cover and use a sheet - if you get a double flat sheet, and fold it over, it gives some coverage whilst keeping them cool.

Definitely get him seen, and keep offering water, juice, lollies etc.

PS my girls both have asthma but have always tolerated ibuprofen without any flares, but definitely get clinical advice first. It can make all the difference with a fever, alternating with paracetamol.

A temp that high is scary isn't it. We all had Covid last week and my three year olds temp was over 40 degrees and calpol wasn't touching it - ibuprofen brought it down eventually but I was worried. Hope you get seen soon at a&e.

I would take mine to a and e. If you have I hope he feels better soon x

DO NOT TEPID SPONGE! Please.
This will drive up a fever.
(Paediatric nurse here)
NICE guidance specifically has it as a do not.
A&E if fever isn’t coming down & child is sleepy/can’t be roused/dehydrated.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/feverish-children-management/management/feverish-children-management/

My ds was like that for a week. He was 5. Gave ibuprofen and paracetamol every few hours. He will be fine.

How’s your DS now?

Interesting two posters who are nurses giving totally conflicting advice.

@Sexnotgender not all nurses are trained in paediatric medicine & not all nurses practice using the latest up to date evidence based guidance.
I’m sure the other nurse meant well, but if they don’t work in paeds they won’t necessarily be aware of updated, current advice.
Tbh I’d assume that adults shouldn’t be tepid sponged either (for the same reason - it makes the temperature control centre in the brain think you’re cold by provoking the shivering response & vasoconstriction…the body will generate more heat by doing this, therefore driving up the temp) *but I don’t nurse adults so I don’t know that for sure!

Seen you are taking him to A&E.

If you have never tried ibuprofen with him because of his asthma and are not sure whether it actually will make his asthma worse (it doesn't for everyone), he could have a trial dose in A&E under medical supervision so that he can be monitored and you will know whether that is an option in future.

Thanks @FunnyCradock that’s good to know.

Oh I hope he's OK.

I hope your ds is ok. Hospital would rather you take him in to be checked than not and something bad happen ( which it won’t and my words are clumsy but I hope you get what I mean? )

My dd has asthma and thankfully has always been able to tolerate ibuprofen/nurofen. It seems to be better at reducing a fever than Calpol for some reason and it’s good if you can alternate but obviously need medical advice before giving.

The good thing is that fevers can be sky high one day and totally back to normal pretty quickly but it’s extremely worrying for us as parents

I took him, we got home about 3am, they took all obs and except temp everything else was normal, they looked him over well though and said just try to stay with him so I slept with him last night, he's still asleep for now. They said avoid ibuprofen because his asthma has been quite bad at times. But his temperature isn't as high this morning at least. Thanks for the advice and I was glad I took him to get seen.

Now isn't the time to try but when he's better you could try a dose of ibuprofen or a small dose. I've had asthma all my life and ibuprofen has never effected my asthma. Maybe ask your GP about this, don't just take my random advice but it would be good to know for future if anything like this happens again.

Glad he is ok otherwise. You did the right thing by getting him checked over. Praying he recovers quickly