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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Prequelle · 27/02/2019 08:30

EstrellaDamn

I'm not sure we have read the same thread. There was a single poster who was insistent on not ringing whereas the large majority stated to ring 111 - multiple times.

SaturdaySauv · 27/02/2019 08:31

Flowers op. It’s stressful when your child is unwell. I hope you get to the bottom of the problem this morning and he’s on the mend soon.

SaturdaySauv · 27/02/2019 08:33

I said it a couple of pages ago but just to reiterate- if you have a sample pot at home or a small sealable pot that has been carefully washed and dried try to catch a wee sample if you have time before seeing the Dr.

Random18 · 27/02/2019 08:39

He is 10 months old.............

I have phoned 111 for a lot less.

My DS would regularly go above 40. ButnNurofen always brought his temp down quickly.

I remember being at Drs with DD (school age) and her temp was still very high a while after Nurofen.

We got told that if her temp got higher or did not come down at all in next hour to get her back to surgery or phone 111.

He is so young - always err on the side of caution and no Dr would think you are overreacting- not with that temp

Whoevenknowswhattodo · 27/02/2019 08:48

His appointment is at 9.50 but I'm stressing now as temp is still 39.3 and he's a lot more upset today. He's just gone back to bed
Docs can't see him any earlier and I could drive to the nearest a&e dept but with traffic at this time of day it would probably take me longer to get over there anyway than it will to see the doc (the hospital is 40 mins away with no traffic)
Feeling really bad now.

OP posts:
Damntheman · 27/02/2019 08:51

If you haven't done it already OP, strip him right down to his nappy. Cooling him down is the most important. If you can bear it I'd also open the windows in his room (if it isn't 20 plus degrees where you are).

rhinobaby · 27/02/2019 08:52

Go to the GP SURGERY now and tell receptionist he is poorly, he might get slotted in before his appointment time

rhinobaby · 27/02/2019 08:54

And you would be in the right place if he needed any emergency medical attention. You will likely wait longer in a and e to be seen

Bumblebeezy · 27/02/2019 08:54

Good luck at the GP OP 💐

Damntheman · 27/02/2019 08:56

And if he DOES start to fit - it'll be obvious, he'll go stiff as a board and completely 'check out'. try not to panic (easier said than done, I know), but do immediately call 999. Don't wait. Long experience with febrile seizures (lucky me..) unfortunately :(

thaegumathteth · 27/02/2019 08:59

I’d drive to the GP and ask to be seen earlier and if it’s not possible at least you’re in the right place

overtheirishsea · 27/02/2019 09:00

Do not strip and open windows!! The change in temperature will cause the body to actually heat up as a reaction and make a fever worse.

SO MUCH BAD ADVICE ON HERE!!! Read the NHS website about fevers.

overtheirishsea · 27/02/2019 09:01

Also, the scan thermometers are utter shite. You need a proper under arm one like they use in hospital. An ear one is ok but not ideal.

Whoevenknowswhattodo · 27/02/2019 09:03

The thermoscan is an ear thermometer @overtheirishsea but I know what you mean. I've always found it to be reliable till now.
Will get baby up and take him docs.
Thanks

OP posts:
SaturdaySauv · 27/02/2019 09:04

Try not to get too stressed or anxious OP. Dress him lightly but don’t let him get too cold. Pack a bag with nappies, water and syringes so you can continue to syringe water into his mouth as you wait at the GP. Getting fluids into him is incredibly important.

appointmentsaretheworst · 27/02/2019 09:06

I was told to always take a baby to the hospital for a temp 40 and over. Crazy that you didn't seek medical attention last night.

You never strip or put a feverish baby in a bath or cold conditions. You leave them in loose cotton clothing and sponge them with a cool cloth.

debbie1990 · 27/02/2019 09:08

Hope all is okay OP. He definitely needs to be seen asap, an uncontrollable temperature is likely to be an infection which may need antibiotics, is he drinking as normal?

SaturdaySauv · 27/02/2019 09:08

There’s some good clinical advice on this thread (I’m a currently non practising but experienced health care professional and other healthcare professionals have also posted sound advice) and there’s some bad advice too. That’s the Internet for you. But since you’ve chosen to post about this you’re going to get a mixed bag.
Best of luck at the Drs Flowers

LannieDuck · 27/02/2019 09:09

Are you using Neurofen as well as Calpol? I've always found Neurofen to be much more effective in bringing temperatures down. You could give him a dose of that while you're waiting for the GP appointment.

Damntheman · 27/02/2019 09:14

That amusing Irish, given that the paramedics who treated my DC every time got him naked and took him out into the snow to get his fever down. Hmm

Damntheman · 27/02/2019 09:16

No bath though, that at least correlates with the medical advice I've had in the past to deal with my DC's crazy temperatures :)

JellycatElfie · 27/02/2019 09:28

You’re presumably at the drs now, I hope it goes well

janetforpresident · 27/02/2019 09:34

Hope he is ok op. Keep us posted. Don't listen to people criticising you, I read exactly the same info as you on nhs website about fevers. It really isn't clear what to do.

StripeyChina · 27/02/2019 09:39

Best wishes to you OP and hope your little chap is okay.

ThanosSavedMe · 27/02/2019 09:42

You’re right it isn’t clear. Which is why you should call 111!

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