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'd call 111 for this.

We had to take 3yo DD to A&E on Tuesday night. She was sent home from nursery on Monday with a high temp they couldn't get below 39.5. Took her to GP where they said UTI and gave her antibiotics.

By Tuesday teatime she was being sick, couldn't pee or poo, wasn't eating or drinking much and her temp was going between 37 & 40. Her face also swollen right up. Right to A&E with her as 111 were taking too long (I'd called GP during the day and they said give the antibiotics a chance to work). She had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics, and didn't even have a UTI. She had scarlet fever.

Few days of piriton and amoxicillin and she's right as rain, except for some skin peeling around her eyes from the scarlet fever. Bloody scary at the time though.

@anxious2017 Surely everyone goes through triage anyway and if they're there for something minor they just end up in the waiting room for hours while more serious cases go through? I'm not saying there isn't an issue, I was in A&E a couple of years ago with severe abdominal pain and the staff were rushed off their feet and there weren't enough beds, but I don't think someone with a twisted ankle would have got that far.

Even when DH broke a bone in his foot we waited in the waiting room for ages and then he had to walk down to x-ray as they wouldn't give him a wheelchair or crutches until they knew it was broken.

I just can't see that someone with the sniffles is taking a bed from someone having a heart attack.

I'm feeling really guilty reading this. If my dc have high temps but otherwise seem ok, and it is coming down somewhat with medicine, then I wouldn't even call the GP . Ds1 had a 40 temp a few weeks back for about 12 hours which went to 38/39 with calpol, so I just let him rest. Feel shit now and like I might need some educating...

Glad your ds is recovering op!

Gudgyx
at the GP. Did they even take a urine sample?!
I’d consider making a complaint if I were you. I certainly wouldn’t see that GP again.

ItsNice
FWIW I think you did the right thing. I’m sure if there had been other symptoms you would have got DS checked out.

If DS has genuinely concerning symptoms I’ll willingly spend hours and hours in A&E... if it’s just a fever that comes down with medication, he clearly just needs fluids and rest and we’ll stay home thanks.

If a high temperature is not coming down, there is a fast heartrate and breathing, lethargy then medical attention is needed

@Quartz2208 how much would you be looking for a temp to fall with meds? If it was at 40 then went to 38 would you be ok with that?

It should fall at least a degree after 30-60 mins. If it doesn’t then that’s another thing that can add up to taking them in.