Toddler temp 40 - would you go to A & E?

[coffeeforone]

2YO is currently asleep in his cot with a high temp. Sent home early from nursery this afternoon with a temp of 40.3 that reduced to 38.5 with calpol.

He is generally unwell and has a cough. Temp shot back to 39.8 at 6.30pm, gave nurofen (couldn’t get full dose in but he took about 70% of syringe). Then temp dropped slightly then back 40.2 at 7.30pm so gave calpol (hidden in a bottle of milk which he drank). Temp dropped slightly but is now 39.8. He is asleep and breathing normally except the cough. WWYD???

I would probably ring nhs direct and try to get an out of hours doctors appointment.

Does he normally get high temps?
They’re not coming down as much as you would expect with calpol/nurofen but if he is rousable I wouldn’t head to a&e but I would try to get an out of hours appointment through 111

Yes call NHS direct just to be on the safe side

yes ring 111

That’s very high,have you stripped him off to his vest,no heavy layers on?I would be inclined to bring to a&e and that’s not normally something I would say.

Yes, without hesitation.

Agree ringing NHS 111 for advice, they’ve been very good and got out of hours appointment for our little one when needed.
Good luck, hope he’s soon back to his normal self.

Ring 111. Personally I'd let them sleep and keep dosing with calpol at recommended intervals

I would take him to A&E.

Absolutely yes. Hope all is ok

Yes I would

I would ring and see what they say.

try a tepid bath to bring down temp (great advice from my lovely paramedic next door neighbour years ago) then monitor, 111 if you need to

I wouldn't take mine to A&E for that alone. I would ring 111 though.

I hope he feels better soon.

I wouldn’t. When ds had febrile convulsions we were told the temperature itself wasn’t the risk factor but rather the speed the temperature goes up (spikes).

If he is sleeping I would let him sleep. There are lots of viral temperature causing bugs around just now and it sounds like he has one.

I'd definitely seek advice from 111, out of hours would be better than A&E if possible.

I wouldn’t. BUT I am not a doctor. You need medical advice not from randoms on the internet (like me). What does the NHS website say about high temperatures in toddlers?

Call 111, no need for A&E. It's probably an ear infection if he's anything like my 2. Keep up with the calpol and nurofen and see what 111 say.

I’d go to a&e.

Tepid baths are no longer recommended.

Newish guidelines.

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

No. Ring 111 if you can't get the temperature down yourself.

This is why there are no beds in A&E and people having heart attacks and strokes are dying.

I would definitely call 111 - and have done in a similar situation. They were really helpful, advised I tried ibuprofen (had been using calpol), and said to call back if that didn't bring the temperature down (it did). That's a pretty high fever.

It’s not all about the number. Kids can have high fevers for minor stiff and lower ones for serious issues. The one time we’ve ended up in emergency with ds he only had 38, but he wasn’t responding and he struggled to breathe (bloody scary.) he’s had fevers up to 41. Something other times and been ok
How is he in himself? If he’s bright, reasonably perky, eating and drinking and peeing with no signs of altered consciousness I’d not take mine to A and E. I’d call 111
If he’s lethargic beyond general malaise, unresponsive, not drinking or peeing then that’s more worrying. If he’s struggling to breathe, blue tinged lips, or he’s sucking the skin on the ribs in when breathing that’s A and E time.

It’s important to look at the symptoms not just the fever. Always err on the side of caution if you’re unsure and remember you know your child best - if you feel they need attention then seek it.

My dcs have had viruses that have caused such temps. So long as neurofen (and calpol to a lesser degree) bring the temp down, then I've stuck with alternating that and using cool flannels etc. And being on high alert for any other symptoms...rashes/lethagy etc.

I'd try and get an out of hours appointment. I'm always worried when a temp is that high but 2 different doctors have told me that a high temp in itself isn't concerning if there's an obvious reason for it e.g viral, cold or whatever.

I would be concerned that it's not coming down very much though. I think always go with your gut and it's better to seek medical attention to be on the safe side.