to worry about my son's fevers?

[STANTER]

My anxiety might be heightened compared to most as my son stopped breathing and turned blue in my arms at 12 weeks old. I'm still fairly traumatised by it as I experienced what I believe it is like to watch your child die in your arms. I thought he was dead and it was utterly terrifying and easily the worst thing I have ever felt. Over the last 4 months he has had 4/5 fevers that have been over 40 degrees c. 3 of those times he had no symptoms other than the fever. No cold or sign of anything obvious. He's on his 5th (I think) high temp in 4 months. The last one lasted 5 or so days and I was ready to take him to the docs but it suddenly disappeared. Am I being silly thinking there could be something going on under the surface? Or is it normal for a 1 year old to get virus after virus? Sorry if I am being ridiculous, I just worry so much about him as he didn't have the best start in life.

I would be concerned, especially if he’s having fevers with no other symptoms. My children have never had a temp of 40. I know all children are different but that’s really, really high.

@haworthia I spoke to my doctor the first time and they said not to worry unless it doesn't come down with paracetamol/ibuprofen (told me it's fine to use both at the same time if fever is that high). I just don't know whether it's normal or not. Twice was with a cold, three times no other symptoms.

Did he have a febrile seizure? My son had a number of these when he was younger (his last one age 6, and now he has grown out of it). It is terrifying, but quite common when they have a fever. Try and keep him cool and give medication (calpol) to prevent his temperature rising (if you can, I can't remember at what age you can start to give them paracetamol!).

What are the doctors saying?

My son would have really high temps -40+ -whenever he was sick. After about 4th time of going to docs we stopped, we would do cool baths and walks in buggy (yes middle of night but none if us sleeping anyway!) He outgrew them, touch wood.

I would be concerned if no other symptoms of illness. My dad had a febrile got too do I know just how horrifying it is. However, he had salmonella. I’d be pushing for a blood test to rule out any blood disorders.

Ds, not dad!

Some kids do just run high fevers and it's not necessarily indicative of how sick they are. Eg a child with a fever of 38.2 might be more ill than a child with a fever of 40. My son almost always runs fevers much higher than my daughter.

However he's little and if you're worried then I'd go to the doctor and ask them their advice.

That must have been terrifying. I had a terrifying choking incident when mine was 7 and while he recovered quickly I don’t think I ever have.

I would get him checked again, though to reassure mine spiked a 40+ fever until he was about two - usually an ear infection or similar with few other symptoms.

Children, in general, handle temperatures better than adults. They are more susceptible to febrile convulsions though.

40c is high but if it reduces with medication, it's not an urgent issue (40c in an adult is much more concerning!!)

However, if you've had issues before, you shouldn't wait 5 days with a 40c temp to see a dr!!

Cool baths / flannels aren't recommended any more.

That does seem a lot of high temperatures in a short time. Whenever my son has high temperature but no other obvious symptoms it normally turns out to be tonsillitis!