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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Help. DS temperature and I'm so worried!!

29 replies

Humpthree · 22/09/2021 23:06

DS is 3 and started preschool 2 weeks ago.

He came out this afternoon a bit snuffly. Went to bed at 19:00 as normal. Eating and drinking normally.

Woke up at 21:45. Felt really hot so took temperature. He was 39.3.
Gave Calpol

It's been an hour. He's sleeping in bed next to me and I've just taken his temp and it's gone up to 39.6

Calpol has always bought temp down before. Im very worried. What shall I do?

I've ordered a pcr test for him btw

OP posts:

PollyDarton1 · 22/09/2021 23:08

Oh I'm sorry to hear this, unfortunately par for the course.

If you have nurofen I always find it brings down temperatures better than calpol. A fever means the body is fighting the virus off, but still frightening!

Subeccoo · 22/09/2021 23:10

My dgd is in hospital tonight with this kind of temp, I know that's not much help but hope he's better soon, obviously keep a very close eye

Original poster

Humpthree · 22/09/2021 23:11

At what point would I need to take him to hospital?

OP posts:

guiltynetter · 22/09/2021 23:12

Calpol rarely brings my children's temp down, it's always Ibruprofen that works. Can you give him a dose and monitor r him?

Frogshoe · 22/09/2021 23:13

May be tonsillitis. My DS just had it. The temperature didn't go down with calpol but nurofen helped

Sunshinegirl82 · 22/09/2021 23:14

If you're worried call 111 and get some advice. It's likely to be a generic virus of some sort but I've always found that the NHS is very happy for you to err on the side of caution with little ones.

Original poster

Humpthree · 22/09/2021 23:16

I've rung 111. A clinician is going to call me back. I've given him some nurofen now

OP posts:

Claireshh · 22/09/2021 23:17

When my two had very high temperatures I would use nurofen as well as calpol.

If you haven’t done so already strip him to his nappy and offer sips of water.

Tirnanogg · 22/09/2021 23:17

Oh you poor thing, it's so worrying when they're ill. DD aged 4 had this last week; I called 111 when she hit 39.5. Definitely worth giving them a call - they did think about having her brought in to hospital because it was so high, but by the time they called back she was fast asleep and she'd cooled a bit.

I hope he feels better soon!

Atla · 22/09/2021 23:18

Strip him off and keep him cool - down to nappy/underwear - open a window if you can. Have you got nurofen you can give him too? Sometimes it does the trick if Calpol doesn't.
Plenty of fluids if he wakes up.

You could ring 111 or out of hours GP for advice if you are worried/temp keeps going up/if he seems distressed/unsettled.

Pinkchocolate · 22/09/2021 23:18

I’ve worked with children for a long time and I’ve always known that above 39 degrees you call for advice. With my own children I have called 111 and taken them into a&e on their advice. Both of mine have hallucinated and one has had fits when they’ve reached 40ish degrees. This was all pre-Covid and always ended up being some sort of bug that was easily treated.
I would call 111 and take it from there. Hopefully it’s nothing major and the Calpol will kick in. You can also alternate it with nurofen.

Pinkchocolate · 22/09/2021 23:19

Just saw you called 111 so ignore that part. Sending strength your way.

Sunshinegirl82 · 22/09/2021 23:20

Also worth checking both ears for a temp (if using the ear thermometer) my DS is quite prone to ear infections and his temp is always higher in the bad ear.

Atla · 22/09/2021 23:21

Everyone else beat me to it. Hope he is soon on the mend.

Valhalla17 · 22/09/2021 23:21

High temp means body is doing its job. Try the ibuprofen version of calpol, cool flannel on forehead, lots of liquids. My ds had this sort of thing quite a bit and often was all back to normal the next day. I doubt its Covid, it's just a bug.

Original poster

Humpthree · 22/09/2021 23:22

Thank you so much. He's our only child after so much heartbreak and so very panicked when he is poorly.

OP posts:

ncmcr · 22/09/2021 23:26

You've got this, it's normal to a point. The nurofen will help, and keep offering sips of water.

It's just such a worry, especially if they're not usually ill!

stormyweather274 · 22/09/2021 23:30

Please read the actual advice on the NHS website because some of the advice given here is incorrect.

Dobbyismyabsolutefav · 22/09/2021 23:44

Always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical advice when worried, which you have. I agree with most of the advice given already:
Strip your child off to nappy/underwear to cool down
Cooling flannel on forehead, back of the neck and wrists
Plenty of fluids if awake
Alternate between calpol and nurofen (although be aware the latter can make asthmatics wheezy).

Disclaimer I say this as a Mum and I am not medically trained.
Good luck OP.

lolliespalooza · 22/09/2021 23:45

@stormyweather274

Please read the actual advice on the NHS website because some of the advice given here is incorrect.

Link here www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

Happyhappyday · 22/09/2021 23:48

Temperatures in and of themselves are not dangerous unless they are VERY high or in newborns. More about other symptoms, meningitis concern would be the main reason to rush off to a&e, otherwise make your DC comfortable and just keep an eye. As PP suggested, check out the NHS advice.

Antinerak · 22/09/2021 23:50

Calpol does help with temperatures, please consult with the clinician or 111 again before administering anything else.

Sips of water, strip him down to his nappy and keep him still and calm to reduce temperature.

It's likely to be a simple virus that most young children get when starting nursery or school. Rising temps can be dangerous but most children are resilient to things like this. 111 are aware and you've done all you can, try to calm down with him.

In the early stages of a fever it's perfectly safe to strip him down, but don't open a window or let him get cold. It's just in case the temp is from him over-heating rather than from the infection.

Justbecauseofit · 22/09/2021 23:56

Mines been off school with a high temp (as high as 39.8) this week too it’s so worrying. I agree with the other posters - the nurofen seems to help more. We try to alternate between nurofen and calpol.

One thing I got told was to make sure you are giving full doses and to give on the hour of when the next dose is due - don’t leave it for another few hours later for a chance for the temp to raise again the worst thing you can do is let his body cool down then raise up and go up and down like that. Give consistently for a couple of days, even when you don’t feel it’s needed for a chance for them to recover from it.

If it makes you feel any better, mine had no other symptoms just the temp, and has started to feel much cooler and settled now since Monday morning. I hope it doesn’t last too long for your DS!

SheilaWilcox · 23/09/2021 00:13

Being in bed with you may well be making him hotter, but appreciate you want him close. Maybe lay him on top of the bedclothes next to you. Plenty of fluids - if you have an old baby bottle this might be easier to drink from (just make bigger hole in teat) than a cup and less likely to spill all over your bed!
NHS will never mind you seeking advice for your child, so call back if you feel you need to.

WaterAndRichTea · 23/09/2021 00:18

Hope someone rings you soon

Is he wakable?

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