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.

If he’s well in himself then I wouldn’t worry. People get hot sometimes. They don’t feel hungry. You can’t give him more medication though. There’s no way to know exactly how much he swallowed, so if you give him more you could overdose him. I’d just keep him cool in a vest and keep an eye on him.

He point blank refused to drink his juice with Calpol in as he could taste the difference.

He is clearly part cat

I haven't given him anything since he took about 1/4 of the syringe and i won't until the morning (depending on his temperature)

Ha yes definitely part cat. There is no tricking this kid.

Could you try Calpol again. Try half a syringe full lay him on his back on your lap and squirt right down his throat.

There's absolutely no need to force calpol or to keep checking his temperature. Just follow the self care advice from the nhs website (when you speak with 111 they will effectively just run you through the same info as this webpage to find out if you have any flags).

A fever is a normal good response to infection in a healthy individual. It's like a cough is a normal response to a chest infection which helps to clear tbe lungs, we don't obsess over stopping the cough and we shouldn't obsess over getting rid of a fever. Unless he seems very unwell and/or has the 999 warning signs the best medicine you can give is plenty of water to drink.

It has gone back up and is now at 38.9

That was the last of the Calpol aswell, I thought I had a second bottle in the medical box but when i just checked I haven't. It's another liquid ibuprofen (which I absolutely won't give)

Thanks Hamster that's what I'll do

How is he now? My dd aged 14 months has had a temp for 2 days now between 39 and 40.5, gp sent her to hospital today as she had fast heart rate and respiratory rate. She has been swabbed for covid and awaiting results. I'm actually a frontline worker so at higher risks although myself and DH have been fine. It's a terrifying time especially when thier is no other reason for the high temp. Hope your DS is ok.

@Whatishappening9876 he's sleeping and his temp is 38.9 as of ten minutes ago. I've no more Calpol which is a worry. What I thought was Calpol in the medi box is actually ibuprofen and I know that is said to be dangerous if it's covid. So sorry to hear about your DD. How worrying for you all.

39 now

DH is now concerned himself

I know I shouldn't be religiously checking the temp but I'm not going to be able to sleep knowing it's climbing

Am going to ring 111 now, just to be on the safe side

So I wouldnt want to give the wrong advice on here and can only tell you my personal experience by my daughter was given ibuprofen in hospital today and she is suspected covid as apparently there is now no evidence it can worsen symptoms. I was however told by the GP earlier in the day not to give ibuprofen so its very conflicting. Keep trying NHS 24 and ask thier advide regarding the ibuprofen too. However if he doesnt seem distressed and is asleep I would leave him to sleep as thats more important than medicine, sleep will help his body cope, continue to monitor temp though x

I got through quickly to 111 this time.

The call handler said he's putting it down as a coronavirus call and a clinician is going to call me back within 4 hours. I'm absolutely exhausted but won't be getting any sleep now. Poor DS

Bless you, hopefully they will call back quicker than the 4 hours. Did they give any advice about ibuprofen in the mean time?

I'm going to lay down and put my phone on loud under the pillow so if I'm able to sleep at all then it'll wake me up

The call handler asked me to wake DS as part of the assessment so I gave him a juice which he drank and he's gone straight back to sleep

Will update if there's any change or new info

No advice on ibuprofen I completely forgot to ask

If he is asleep try get some sleep yourself, take turns with your husband to keep an eye on him. If NHS 24 call back you will hear the phone.

You need to relax and stop getting obsessed over 0.1 degree changes in his temperature. Thermometers aren't the most accurate thing ever. You're better off doing 3 readings and taking the average.

If it is coronavirus he's likely to have a relatively mild dose which will clear in a few days. Unless he is struggling to breathe you do not need to see a medical professional. You can self manage his symptoms at home.

He's drinking, okish in himself and is asleep. Get yourself some rest.

I suspect the COVID ibuprofen advice was given for the same reason as asthmatics are told not to have it, in some it can work against your lungs. Most are fine.
Me...makes me cough, really quite badly. So I would avoid

Hope your son is better soon

We've had similar with our 6 month old and 111 told us to give ibuprofen so we did. He was fine all day yesterday and now has the temp again.
Hope you get some rest and your DS is better soon

Unless theres underlying conditions that make it dangerous, I wouldn't be trying to lower his temperature. Its serving a purpose so as long as he is fine in himself I'd let it be. Fever is a strong immune response. Why try to suppress it unless it poses a threat?

In all honesty OP ignore everyone on here. Focus on what the dr says when he calls. No one here is with your DS it's so easy to say dont worry it's fine from a distance but when it's your child you just want to make them better. Professional advice over random people on here every time. Best wishes for your son fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

They called me back and reiterated what the first call handler said, suspected covid

They did tell me to give him the ibuprofen which I have, his fever has now come down to 37.9

Plenty of fluids and eat and ibuprofen whenever the fever spikes high to prevent a febrile convulsion, was her advice.

They've referred me back to talk to my GP tomorrow to check in and report any changes and have let the GP know about the call.

After I asked her about my own symptoms at the end of March she said it sounds like I most likely had it myself too.

We've all got to isolate for 14 days now (for the second time)

DH's boss won't be happy but tough cheese isn't it.

Thank you for all of the advice and hand holds guys

Goodnight

if i remember correctly, i think you have to add point five to a temperature reading taken under the arm.
all the best OP. i can well understand your concern.

hamster gives v good advice. read the official guidance.
and keep a written record of observations.

Morning @Osiras how are you? How’s DS? I’m sure you’re exhausted but hopefully he’s a bit perkier today

@alexdgr8 no you don't. Where did you hear that awful advice?!

NHS website is clear on how to take temperature and recommends under arm.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/how-to-take-your-babys-temperature/