When to see doc with DS nasty bug

[Cam77]

My son (3 and a half) has got one of the nasty bugs going around. He came down with it on Christmas Eve morning ie three days ago. Has had high temperatures up to 40, but coming down quite well, sometimes completely, with Calpol and then later Calpol+ Nurofen combo. Yesterday he was actually much better during the day (didn’t require the full run of doses, didn’t need afternoon nap) but then woke up again this morning with a temp of 40. No other major symptoms, besides high temperature, and runny nose, though obviously he is somewhat lacking energy when the temp is running high. But he is drinking lots, playing and eating some too. For some background info, my wife just got over a bug that took 10 days to get over. Should I just continue the Calpol/nurofen combo at home (can he take for more than 3 days?) or venture into the docs clinic and risk one or more of us picking up some new seasonal bug. I know the advice is to go in if it goes more than three days so should I wait till for tomorrow? Thanks.

just an update - his temp has come right down to normal this morning half an hour after having some nurofen and is playing happily. Seems the nurofen really works better than the Calpol. I guess I should take him in anyway though right, as cant take the calpol/nurofen indefinitely and this is now morning four?

My daughter had exactly this. It lasted 4 days with her.

The official advice is to go to the doctor if they have a high temp that lasts more than 5 days. If he is generally well though (playing, eating, drinking, responding well to painkillers) and seems to be on the mend, I wouldnt really be too concerned and personally would take him in after a week or something if he still had it.

Thanks Oooh for your response, so the advice is five days is it? I thought it was three.

You're not being unreasonable to consider going but I really wouldn't if I were you. Your son has a temp but otherwise sounds reasonably well, is playing, eating etc and was improving yesterday. As you said yourself this bug is going round and your OH had it for 10 days, so 3 days isn't that surprising. The GP will be really busy today after bank holidays and unlikely to advice anything different from what you're already doing. If he were to stop eating/drinking, become lethargic, show any other new symptoms you could reconsider.

thanks for response. Thinking, I’ll try to get an appointment anyway as our clinic isn’t open over the weekend. So many bugs around.

If you are only concerned about the paracetamol and ibuprofen use then I would speak to a pharmacist about it, they can give great advice and are the best place to go for a cold/virus .
However if you're worried about the severity of the illness and it seems more than a cold then a prescribing nurse would be best

We have had this bug starting last friday. Temps but seemingly well but not as much energy. After 3 days she went downhill rapidly and breathing and heart rate were very fast. We got in to the drs and they said it is a flu bug going around (our child was given the flu jab). We ended up at the emergency drs yesterday after a horrendous night christmas day with her screaming in pain for hours. Result ear infection in both ears.

I would keep a close eye on him and any deterioration go in.