Son's temperature came back, then went again. Am I being silly?

[keysonthehighshelf]

I posted the other day as my son (14 months) had run a high temperature for 5 days. I was all ready to take him to the GP, but his fever went and he seemed fine. I was happy he had recovered. His temperature has since gone up to 38.5 then back down to 36.8 again. This is after having no temperature for almost a day. He seems fine now. I'm going to take him to docs tomorrow but if his temp is normal they're just going to see a normal child and send me on my way. My gut is telling me that it's not right. 5 days of fever, day 6 fine, day 7 fever again then back to normal. He's had no other symptoms, no cough or cold, no runny nose. He's absolutely fine in himself. Am I being an over worried mum? They had no appointments this afternoon so have told me to call at 8am tomorrow.

How is he in himself? The best indicator is him - is he eating and drinking? Is he happy enough in himself? (opposed to lethargic and refusing to move.) A temperature is the bodies response to infection and often is nothing more than an indicator of a cold. If he is fine in himself, there is no need to worry.

Is it an inner ear one?is it clean and have fresh batteries?

He didn't eat for 3 days and still won't eat properly but I guess that's probably due to him not eating for a while. He was really grizzly at the beginning but now much happier. Still his temp going up and down still is worrying me

I just wanted to say that my own toddler has been sick on and off for 3 weeks. Temp one day, shocking cough one day, fine one day, snotty one day - rinse and repeat for bloody weeks. Doctor said throat red and otherwise fine. I just think unfortunately some sort of pop up virus is going around - or several viruses. No other explanation but wanted to express sympathy.

It's an ear one, brand new and working fine. Shows my temperature and his correctly (can also feel when he's burning up)

Is it coming down with calpol and Ibruprofen? What are his other symptoms?

He has had zero other symptoms. Just a fever. Comes down with Calpol and ibuprofen but not Calpol on its own.

Have you checked his tonsils? If he lifts his chin up can you see them?

Tonsils look normal but I'm not a doctor. His glands have been up I can feel them. Just feel silly taking him in if he's ok in the morning, but then his temp might spike again and I'm back to square 1.

Then just keep an eye on him. Maybe take him to the doctors in the morning. It sounds like a virus to me.

He is probably fine but there's nothing wrong with taking him to the GP just to be sure as he is so young.

Is his breathing normal? or more shallow or breathless? or slower?
Is he floppy or behaving as normal just with a higher temp
Does he have a rash?
Is he eating and drinking as normal?
Has he been passing urine the same as normal? You don't want him to get dehydrated so keep up his fluid intake.

We've had this exact thing in our house. Child no2 is currently in the midst of it. Ours have had a fever for 3 days, no sign and then it's back for 2-3 days. Child no1 is back to normal now — including eating well. Child no2 is still up and down with fever and off their food. But it has been a bit of a sniffly nose, very cuddly, full on fevers and loss of appetite. But otherwise perfectly fine within themselves.

If he has no symptoms other than a temperature I would hold off giving paracetamol or ibuprofen, a raised temperature is the body's way of fighting off the infection.

Comes down with Calpol and ibuprofen but not Calpol on its own.

Don't give them both. If calpol isn't working just use ibuprofen.

Nurse here.

You can give Calpol every 4 hours and ibuprofen in between that he is getting something every 2 hours.

Do not abstain from the medication if he has a raised temperature, at his age you want the temp to come down. (yes a raised temp is a sign that the body is dealing with it but if the tea is not lowered it is dangerous)
Also take off his clothes to lower his temperature if need be if he gets too hot again.

*Temp not tea

Nurse here.

Not doubting you personally but OP please remember you have no idea who anyone is on here.

You can give Calpol every 4 hours and ibuprofen in between that he is getting something every 2 hours.

The NHS advice states otherwise.

OP please follow the guidelines unless you have spoken to a verified medical practitioner.

I saw this today shared by a nurse friend. Hopefully may help.

Have had an 18 month old with a constant up and down temp for weeks. Was at the gp twice and apparently there is a virus doing the rounds with these symptoms. He is grand now.

Thought it worth posting this screenshot from the NHS website...

Click for full size

Sorry to hear your little one has been poorly.
I do remember my eldest had something similar when she 12 months, after 9 days the temp went.
You’re his mum & know him better than anyone, if you are still concerned /your gut feeling is telling you something isn’t right, take him back in the morning to get checked for peace of mind.

All the best 🙂