My 2 year old has a temp of 38.6, please advise

[Osiras]

I cannot for want of trying get through on 111 for advice. Doctors closed.

I may be overreacting, if so then please do say.

He's 2 and autistic, he can't communicate how he feels but has been a bit grumpy and been off his food for the past 2 days (very unlike him). He has eaten very small amounts.

He came and laid on my lap on the sofa and he is burning hot to touch. I stripped him down, tried to give him Calpol (which he spat out) and offered him juice which he refused.

He isn't drowsy and seems ok in himself other than being off his food. He's currently playing on his tablet babbling away.

There may have been covid in the house last month (I was unwell) but no test so no confirmation.

He's never had a temperature like this before so I'm panicking.

Our thermometer

If he wont take calpol do u have/can u get paralink suppositories to get the temp down?

I’d persevere with 111, and it’s one of those times when paracetamol suppositories come into their own.

Keep sponging him with cool water and if he won’t have a drink would he have an ice lolly? That’s presuming you have that option.

Is he drinking fluids and passing urine? Keep a close eye on him you know your child. And dont give up on the calpol, see if it lowers his temp. Ofcourse it could be covid or something innocent but not to scare you but we was in this position 3 weeks ago and mumsnet told me 38. Something wasnt a temperature and to give calpol I trusted my gut as she was very upset ended up at hospital been treated for suspected sepsis but she wouldn't drink her milk or water. You know your child, hope he is ok and you get some rest x

My son has a heart condition which can react to high temperatures so I totally understand your concern. I can only share the advice the hosopital gave me - treat the child not the temperature.
I’d say if he is acting well then that’s a good sign. Did he take any Calpol at all do you think? Ideally you’d want to see the fever coming down - sleep can do that too
I’d say if he’s hot and upset in the night and you can give him more calpol (based on the time you last gave it) definitely give him another dose. Otherwise if he sleeps well that’s a good thing.
Try not to panic. Call the GP in the morning. I hope you have a peaceful night

I’d try and get some Calpol inside him, can you hide it in something? Failing that if you squirt it into the back of his cheek while cradling him like a baby he’ll more than likely swallow it.

He swallowed approx 1/4 of the syringe and spat the rest out. He is weeing lots and seems ok in general. He's making happy noises. He just won't eat.

No suppositiries in the house at all unfortunately.

Me and DH are arguing now, he's getting angry because I'm worried.

I said where's this anger coming from he said because he's "sick of this now" by which he means me panicking about DS for the past 15 minutes.

Don’t sponge him with cool water. That can cause his temperature to go higher. Keep him in a light layer, like vest and nappy. Try and get him to drink. Eating doesn’t really matter. If you have nurofen try and see if he’ll take it. There’s no proof that it causes adverse affects with CoVid.

I tried to disguise Calpol in his juice but he refused to drink it, so I made up a syringe and managed to get him to swallow 1/4

Ktd27 is spot on it's good advice treat the child not the temp. If hes happy in himself and taking fluids I wouldn't be overly concerned. Ignore your DH hes been a slight ass you're allowed to worry. Keep an eye on him overnight and try get some kip x

38.6 is not massively high. And like pp said treat the child. So if he’s playing and fine then that’s great. However, this is new for you so I understand you being scared. I wouldn’t have battered an eyelid when mine were little at that temp if they were still playing. Not trying to put you down just putting a different spin on as someone whose kids had fairly regular temps.

Just observe him. Keep notes. Can you pin him down and put the calpol in his cheek?

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2020-04/covid19_advice_for_parents_when_child_unwell_or_injured_poster.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjqtu7f5ffoAhWFZxUIHYG0C2sQFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw3Z-34hmiOkvsaOUfi60mK-&cshid=1587412946709" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Royal College of Paediatricians Guidance. Might help. You are doing all the right things, keep him stripped off and hydrated.

I also found [[https://www.pharmacists.ca › ...PDF
Use of NSAIDs in patients with COVID-19: what is the evidence? this]] and also [[https://www.nice.org.uk › evi...PDF
Acute use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for ... This]] from UK stating that ibuprofen safe for use so you can try that if Calpol not working.

Whoops regular high temps

DH the idiot that he is, is trying to tell me he's got a high temperature because he had been sleeping

DS was asleep in the travel cot where he dosed off, he woke up at 7.30 then came to sit with me on the sofa. He didn't have the temperature when he woke up so that blows his bullshit theory out of the water.

I'm going to be keeping a very close eye on him and will try to get him seen by the doctors tomorrow

That’s not a massively high temp. If he’s ok in himself I genuinely wouldn’t worry.

Dear god why do people say sponge down a child with a temperature water.
No

Keep his fluids up
Look for a wet nappy
Signs of listlessness or floppyness.

All three of mine have had temps like this and unless stiff neck, dislike of light, sickness, fail three to rouse etc then I would t necessarily be concerned,

Fever or temp is a response to fighting something off and that is a good thing,

Keel a close eye on him and offer fluid little and often along the way

It might just be a normal childhood illness. My daughter had a fever of 40 for 5 days. She was eating and drinking more or less normally but she vomited when we tried to give her medicine. The doctor said it was probably just roseola.

Keep trying 111 and in the meantime follow the NHS advice for dealing with fever (don’t give him a sponge bath as someone else suggested). He’ll be OK.

Unless something massively changes, he doesn’t need to see a dr for a slightly high temp and a bit off his food.

Thank you all for talking to me

I have liquid ibuprofen so I will try and have him take that. It's very difficult because his SEN means he has very little understanding and panics when something is unfamiliar.

He's just done a poo, so his water and bowels are working fine.

I hope I am over reacting. I've never experienced this before so it is panic stations for me.

I can only say how I would react but if it was my 2 year old and she was playing and alert I wouldn't worry at a temperature of 38.6. But I would force the Calpol into her even if it resulted in a tantrum. Appreciate that might not be a palatable or possible option for you.

I understand that you are worried however does he really need to see a doctor for a temperature? It could be teeth or a little bug or even a minor infection somewhere that his body is fighting.

See how he is overnight. Try not to worry, 38.6 really isn't that high. Perhaps sleep in his room tonight in case he is sick. If he won't drink try ice lollies.

Try again with the Calpol - you need to cradle him like an infant and push the syringe to the very back of his cheek (basically the side of his throat). If you get it right he can't spit up, he has to swallow.

Don't panic, you're doing all the right things, and currently his temp isn't too high. Keep monitoring him.

Should have added that the reason I would force the Calpol in is because she has had febrile convulsions in the past. Otherwise I don't think a temp like that is concerning.

It’s normal to panic with your child’s first temp - I’m amazed he’s never had one in 2 years! So he must have a good immune system. I agree with others, since he appears happy and well otherwise, I don’t think you need to be really worried, but I’d be keen to have calpol in him. My kids love it so have never had the refusal issue which is difficult, could you mix with ice cream or yoghurt even?

Remember paracetamol and no ibuprofen in case is covid.

My 1.5yr old had suspected covid at same time as me and just had a temp come and go and was a bit off food and more clingy, otherwise played and seemed fine, she was normal in a week. Hope he’s ok.

Oh cross post - don’t do ibuprofen!