12 year old DS temperature

[notworthanything]

12yo DS has a temperature of 38.1 - 38.6 since he got home from school. Gave Calpol at 4pm but it didn't go down, gave ibuprofen 3 hours later (7pm ish), and it is still 38.4.

He is fine in himself, other then a headache/sore throat and feeling achy, and he had a little sleep which is unlike him. He was shivering earlier but isn't now. He has eaten dinner, is drinking, awake and chatting/using his phone/watching TV.

Would you be concerned about it not coming down after meds?

I can't often think straight when the DC are ill, plus I've had little sleep this week as 3yo DS has a chest infection. Obviously would be most concerned about sepsis but he has no rashes etc.

It's now past 8pm so I would be giving 2 adult paracetamol to a 12 year old.

I just realised I said calpol, I meant 1 paracetamol tablet. Still in 3yo mode with the calpol!

Best thing to do is not rush for meds as soon as temp rises. It rises for a reason- to fight infection, virus can’t survive in that heat from the body- kills it dead.

if you keri bringing temp down the body can’t kill virus off so on it drags.

unless they are very uncomfortable - just let temp ride, it’ll burn itself out. Unless of course it’s in the 40s

i don’t honestly know why people rush to try and panic and bring rebel temperature down the second it rises. No need for it at all

Ok thanks. I initially gave meds as he was complaining of headache, sore throat and body aches. So neither of you would be worried about the temperature not responding to the meds? That's reassuring if so

Check instructions but 1 paracetamol may be too little for him, unless he is very small of course.

And check the NHS 24 website for advice regarding temp and child. Don't rely on here. I'm sure we've all seen spectacularly unsound advice on here at times. I hope he feels better soon!

I wouldn't be concerned, no. It sounds like he has caught a cold or flu and his immune system is firing up. A temperature is generally not a bad thing and in most cases just needs to run its course. Make sure he drinks plenty of fluids and keep an eye. I'm sure he'll be fine.

P.s. there is no need for him to be uncomfortable. Keep going with the paracetamol. It's not going to noticeably delay his recovery because you happen to have control over his temp.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-adults/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

At 12, there are right on the edge of child/adult, especially with regards to medication dosage.

Absolutely agree with @Stressedout150

Fever is a sign of infection. It is self limiting and helps the body.
Unless in a very small child or someone with renal/cardiac/medical issues it should not create a problem.

However if there's pain, absolutely treat that.

It doesn't matter if it's 'coming down' - the hypothalamus has reset the body's temperature in order to kill off pathogens. Even if you force it down using drugs, it will only be for a short while - and then it will return.

Antipyretic drugs, paracetamol and ibuprofen are fairly new to us all, but their marketing teams have done a fantastic job at creating fever fear.

In regards to 'high fever kills' - that's related to heat stroke and external temperature, not internal.

Oh and using paracetamol/ibuprofen doesn't prevent febrile convulsions either - they occur in a percentage of young children due to system immaturity and are self limiting and occur usually at the onset of illness.

Has the headache gone now? It might be worth just double checking with a doctor if the temp is not reducing after giving him medicine. 🌺

Exactly what @Stressedout150 says.

Thanks for all the reassurance. He's definitely not a small 12 year old, he's slim but around 5ft 6! I guess I've been so used to giving him just one I never checked again. He says his head still hurts a bit and throat still hurts but he is known for being a big dramatic

That's really interesting about the febrile convulsions, I always thought bringing the temp down would prevent one happening, particularly in little ones. Also, info on sepsis is everywhere so I guess that's always a worry in my head too.

I did wonder! 10mls of calpol won't do anything to a 5'6" 12 year old.

I would have a cool bedroom, some paracetamol before an early night and I'm sure he'll feel better for a good night's sleep.