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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how to treat a 10mo with a temp of 40.2

401 replies

Whoevenknowswhattodo · 26/02/2019 23:04

Shamelessly posted here for traffic Blush

Ds2 is 10months. He hasn't been unwell, not even snotty . Yesterday afternoon at lunchtime he wouldn't eat which is unlike him. Cried and crashed out and slept most of the day and night. He had a temp of 38-39.5 all day despite regular Calpol and ibuprofen.
Today he's been the same, eating and drinking okay but sleeping longer than normal and high temps.
Still doesn't appear poorly. Isn't upset just raging hot.
He had Calpol at 6pm. Ibu at 8pm. Just been to check on him at 10.30pm before i went to bed and temp is highest yet at 40.2.
He had gone to bed happy and in a babygrow with no vest or sleeping bag.

Is a temp alone worth doing anything about
If they're not seeming poorly / rashy/ upset?

I've given him more Calpol at 10.30 but he's maxed out on his doses now for both meds in a 24hr period so I'm at a loss

My plan is currently stay awake till 11.30 Then go and check temp again to see if it's coming down. Does this sound the right thing to do?

OP posts:
CottonSock · 28/02/2019 11:14

There is a nasty virus doing the rounds. I was at ooh gp with it last week with dd, who also had a rash. They didn't check her urine...
Gp very thorough and told me that once a VIRAL rash emerges they often improve. She was right.
Anyway I had a panic, but a virus it was. A nasty one. Not requiring 999, antibiotics or a 2nd or 3rd opinion. I alternate Nurofen and Calpol, offer sips of drink or ice pops. Lots of cuddles.

janetforpresident · 28/02/2019 11:54

So glad it sounds like just a virus and you are reassured OP. You've done nothing wrong and the nhs website quite clearly says that temperatures with viruses can last up to 5 days. Don't listen to Dr mumsnet trust the professionals you have seen and just keep an eye on him.

NameChange30 · 28/02/2019 12:14

Are there many viruses with no symptoms apart from fever - no rash, no cold/flu symptoms, nothing?

Original poster
Whoevenknowswhattodo · 28/02/2019 12:19

I know I probably shouldn't be posting asking for more advice after some of the comments but I'm getting stuck now..
He's okay in himself just really drowsy. Off his food. Temp is currently 39.7 again. Have called doc who will put him with emergency doc at 4pm providing he's not called out to a home visit at that time.
Does this Definately still sound viral? Hate to drag him back out to the docs again for nothing but then also wondering if docs is best course of action!

OP posts:
Queenofthestress · 28/02/2019 12:19

DD regularly gets 39/40 fevers, she runs hot anyway, ibuprofen usually does the trick if its a stubborn one!

Lumene · 28/02/2019 12:25

What is the worst thing that can happen if you do go to doc? What is the worst thing that can happen if you don’t?

I would go.

LoniceraJaponica · 28/02/2019 12:32

If he is lethargic he needs to be seen sooner rather than later. I am horrified that no-one has requested a urine test.

Wenttoseainasieve · 28/02/2019 12:36

It could well still be viral BUT I would still absolutely get him seen. As others have said, push for a urine test, just in case. Be insistent. I know two docs have said they don't think it's that, but a very high temp and no other obvious symptoms IS how a UTI can present in a baby.

SapphireFire · 28/02/2019 12:40

I'm not a scaremonger, but no - it does not sound viral. He's been ill since Monday lunchtime and he's getting worse (drowsiness).

Dr's usually go with the mantra "common things are commoner". If you present with a child like your son, they are going to give you the most likely diagnosis. They know that if something more is going on, you will come back.

Wait and see the Dr at 4pm. If they try and fob you off, be VERY clear about the history, temp, etc. Tell them he's off his food. Tell them he's had a consistent temp for four days. Tell them he's very drowsy and getting harder to rouse. Tell them the normal Calpol/Nurofen isn't getting his temp down. And tell them that the nurse in A&E assumed he would need antibiotics.

Say that you are not happy with a viral diagnosis and you want further tests to rule out the more serious illnesses. Tell them you are his mother and you know that something is wrong. They do listen to mother's intuition.

I really, really hope you get him well again soon.

Be polite but very firm.

SinkGirl · 28/02/2019 12:53

One of my twins had something almost identical - the fevers lasted 13 days, then the cold and cough started for about five or six days, he’s just got a slight runny nose / tickly cough now. Doctor insists it was viral. The other twin has recently started with the high temps but got the cough right away and he seems very poorly. Doctor says it it doesn’t improve in a few days or he deteriorates to take him in.

Their nursery has had loads of kids out with the same virus, the GP said he’d seen more than 10 kids that week with the same thing (high fevers, drowsiness with the fever, loss of appetite but no other symptoms). So by all means get them to rule out an infection but it’s very possible it’s viral. The nursery manager said she’s never seen a bug like this (that was the day I had to pick up my first twin because although he was fine when I dropped him off his temp spiked to 40.4, by the time I got him home it was down again).

My only concern in your case is that the temps are so hard to manage - there have been times where it’s taken a good hour for their temps to go back down after meds, or where it’s spiked again a couple of hours after calpol and I have to give nurofen or vice versa (although I start with nurofen now as it seems to work better for them).

SinkGirl · 28/02/2019 12:59

Are there many viruses with no symptoms apart from fever - no rash, no cold/flu symptoms, nothing?

It’s exactly what we’ve had and many in their nursery have had the same. Went to pick up and there was another boy just the same waiting for his mum - high temp, cold feet, sleepy and no other symptoms. GP said he’s seeing a lot of it.

A cold and cough did develop but not for two weeks.

It’s what I was concerned about initially - I’d never heard of a virus with temps with no other symptoms but fever. Then I saw a post here with a group of mums talking about their kids having the same, and a post in a parenting group on fb had loads of responses with kids having the same issue.

One of my friend’s little ones has been diagnosed with flu a few days ago and her symptoms are very similar to my other twin who’s sick now - I think there’s a good chance it’s flu, OP make sure they take swabs for this as well as a urine sample.

SinkGirl · 28/02/2019 13:03

“Young children with influenza virus infection might have initial symptoms mimicking bacterial sepsis with high fevers, and febrile seizures have been reported in 6%—20% of children hospitalized with influenza virus infection”

www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/clinical.htm

Kittykat93 · 28/02/2019 13:06

My boy always gets sleepy with a virus and temp. Unless he's unresponsive or floppy or hard to rouse I wouldn't be concerned about him being tired - after all his body is fighting something off.

NameChange30 · 28/02/2019 13:26

SinkGirl
Ah, that does sound like a strong possibility - I would find your posts reassuring if I was the OP Smile
I didn't know they could take swabs for flu and other viruses, sounds sensible.

TryingSoVeryHard · 28/02/2019 13:27

There is something you can buy / get that goes in a nappy or incontinence pad to collect urine. Nursing homes and hospitals use them. I'd advise trying to get hold of one and presenting them with a sample.

geezlouise1 · 28/02/2019 13:28

A&E Doctor here - posted downthread but changed username since

Fever of unknown origin, for that long, non responsible to antipyretics would have warranted a referral to peadiatrics for specialist review if it had been me you had seen.

You are also now describing a change in that he is no longer happy and playing and is drowsy and off food.

The chances and probability are that this is a viral nothingness, especially given his vital signs were fine yesterday. But I don't take chances with babies, and think uncontrolled fevers for this length of time warrant a specialist review.

SaturdaySauv · 28/02/2019 13:30

Honestly OP I can’t believe you’re still asking for advice after ignoring every single poster who has suggested it’s sensible to have his urine checked. I first gave that advice back on page 2 or 3 of this thread and then repeated it.

Yes- it may not be a uti, but what is the harm of ruling it out when the consequence of not treating it is potentially very serious and he’s now had an unexplained high temperature for a few consecutive days.

My daughter has been referred to A&E by a GP in the past for a temp of 40 with no obvious clinical cause and guess what the first screening test was- that’s right, a urine check.

I can’t fathom why you’re still posting for advice but not entertaining what could be an incredibly important part of the diagnosis process- and the start of your DS being given treatment to make him well again.

I had a lot of sympathy for you when you were attacked for not immediately calling 111 earlier in the thread. But now as a mother and experienced healthcare professional I’m completely confused by your decision making.

NameChange30 · 28/02/2019 13:37

Well said Saturday, I completely agree.

Original poster
Whoevenknowswhattodo · 28/02/2019 13:42

Just got to a&e again. 111 asked us to bring him immediately after i last posted. He's currently in a bed with a temp of 39.9 and being monitored.
Thanks

OP posts:
SaturdaySauv · 28/02/2019 13:45

I’m glad he’s in the right place and I hope he gets well soon.

BlueDotty · 28/02/2019 14:00

Hope you get to the bottom of it and he makes a quick recovery xxxx

Imustbemad00 · 28/02/2019 14:06

I don’t understand everyone’s obsession with uti. I’ve never ever had a child checked for a uti, and been through various bouts of illnesss. She’s seen 2 doctors, suggested uti to both, and neither have thought it was a possibility, or they would of tested him.

Hope he gets better soon.

Bluemascara4 · 28/02/2019 14:31

I'm so glad you're in A&E now .

Thinking of you both Thanks

OneOfTheGrundys · 28/02/2019 14:47

All the best to you and him OP.
May he get well soon.

Eatmycheese · 28/02/2019 14:52

You are in the best place. Really hope you get to the bottom of his temperature soon and that he is ok 💐

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