AIBU to think 38 temp every afternoon isn't normal? Gp useless!

[Dennisreynoldsduster]

DC had a virus and ended up in hospital for a night a month and a half ago. He had a fever, it came down and was normal for a few days, then (because we were told to keep tabs on him for a week) it started going up in the afternoons. Always the same time. Up to 38, would come down on its own without calpol.
He's a hot boy, we've never had a reading in the 36 bracket unless it's the early hours of the morning but surely this must mean he still has an underlying infection somewhere?

He's well, apart from some teeth coming through, and eating (pickier at lunchtime for some reason now) fine, drinking liquids, wet and dirty nappies (teething nappies are such a joy), he's playing, chattering, shouting, up to all kinds of mischief.

Because he's fine in himself, GP not even slightly interested, just said put the thermometer down and go on how he feels. But I'm only using the thermometer because with the kiss test he feels hot!

I'm a bit annoyed that the GP hasn't even seen him, and worried he could have a UTI even though the GP said because his nappies don't smell funny and he's not struggling to pass urine, it won't be that.

Am I being too PFB? I am prone to anxiety - health anxiety in particular - so I do find it hard to navigate instinct/irrational and rational reactions. DH thinks if GP says all fine, it's fine but I just can't see how 38 is normal - it's a fever!

He's had two covid PCR tests during this, plus the one at hospital, and all negative so it's not that, and GP knows all tests were negative so I thought he might see him now and check his ears/chest/throat etc.

[Dennisreynoldsduster]

For what it’s worth he doesn’t look like he did when he had a proper fever - you could see then that he wasn’t well, he was bright red really flushed, glassy eyed etc and distressed, being sick.

None of that is happening at the moment

[Rosesareyellow]

Have you tried the thermometer on yourself? We’ve got two ear/forehead ones, both useless - I think the ones you put under arm or tongue are much less temperamental but obviously tricky to use with a little one. My DH was a bit under the weather once so we were looking out for Covid symptoms - it gave us a temperature of 43.6 and I said to him I think you might spontaneously combust according to this ... he did survive.
I find just kissing DS on the head I can instantly feel if his temp is high, better than using my hand. I don’t bother with the thermometers any more.

[Dennisreynoldsduster]

Yes it does work on me and DH fine but I think I just ram it in my own ear without much caution whereas with DS I’m more careful but I don’t think I’ve been doing it right

He’s within the normal range this afternoon after doing it how DH does it and how the booklet says (been doing everything else right but not pointing it up towards opposite temple) so perhaps that’s been adding to it

[Dennisreynoldsduster]

With the kiss test do you just do a quick kiss on the forehead?

[TwoLeftElbows]

We always went by whether their body felt hot and dry down the back of the neck of their clothes. Was told not to go by how extremities felt. But this may be out of date now.

[Rosesareyellow]

Yes just a normal kiss on forehead o cheek - I suppose it works for me because I kiss him a lot so it’s then very noticeable when there’s a temperature change - wheras I don’t really touch his face with my hands much, I could probably touch his face and say yes that’s hot but not whether it’s a lot or a little hotter than usual.

[Darkstar4855]

I would stop checking his temperature as long as he is well and happy in himself. I don’t think your GP is “useless”.

[Dennisreynoldsduster]

I have done
I’ve given the thermometer to DH

There would be no reason to think anything was wrong with him at all aside from the numbers and the one reading DH took this afternoon was 37.5

[Bellringer]

Hooray. Too much technology! Deep breath and keep breathing. Walking and swimming may help, also writing a diary or journal.
Have you tried mindfulness meditation and counselling? Maybe better than medication. Your partner sounds ok, hope he stays supportive.
Grief and uncertainty are really destabilising, you've had a gutful and everyone is anxious, nothing works properly. Take care and be well

[BlackberryandNettle]

Is he teething molars? We had 39+ every night for 7 weeks with the eldest's molars. Unusual but does happen.

[Dennisreynoldsduster]

Yes premolars and molars as well as canines

Thank you @Bellringer you are so kind

[Dennisreynoldsduster]

@BlackberryandNettle sorry meant to tag you, he’s getting canines through, and just had (this week) his first molars. Seven weeks!!! You must have been having a nervous breakdown!

[Dennisreynoldsduster]

I just wanted to come on and say thank you to everyone who replied

DS didn’t have an elevated temperature at all yesterday and I haven’t taken it at all today.
I did speak to the GP but the GP was more interested in talking to me about my anxiety.

I did have a bit of a break down on the phone and got really upset and he’s recommended some wellness techniques but also prescribed me some medication so I’m hoping this is going to be a turning point

I’m not ignoring the situation with DS if he looks unwell or feverish again we will take his temperature, and I’ll speak to the GP again but his nappies have gone back to normal, he’s no longer dribbling and all his teeth are through the gum and just need to properly reveal themselves now.

But if it wasn’t for this thread I don’t think I would have fully seen how anxious I was being so thank you

[Aklein38]

@Dennisreynoldsduster did this ever settle down?

I feel like I could have posted exactly this. I suffer with health anxiety
And my 23 month old DS has had multiple viral infections recently which has made me obsessed with taking his temperature daily up to 30 times a day! I know I need to put the thermometer down as he doesn't seem unwell it's just whenever I feel or kiss him he feels very hot and reads 37.8. Sometimes it can hit 38 at times if he has been active but at bedtime it goes down to 37.2 so I don't think it is a true fever just that he is warm. But I keep thinking what if I'm missing something. I should also say i poke the thermometer as far in as it will go to capture the maximum temperature...