Advice on child’s temperature.

[AllTheWeetabix]

Just to start off with I’ve been on hold to 111 now for 45 minutes and the GP can’t see her as no appointments left.

My 4 year old has had a temperature since this morning. Started off at 38.6, was told not to give calpol/ibuprofen as she was acting normal, eating and drinking etc. Mom took care of her whilst I went to work and said she was fine, picked her up and I new she wasn’t right. She was shivering and pale, I got her back and her temp was 39.8, I then administered calpol and cool drinks and got into her into bed. No other obvious signs of infection, tonsils seem fine etc. I gave calpol over and hour and half ago and the temp isn’t budging.

My question is 111 seem busy so shall I just monitor her overnight and make a docs appointment in the morning? Or persist with 111 and get her to an out of hours. Don’t no if I’m being a panicky mom!

Think you need to trust your instincts a bit here. Was told by 111 doc recently that a temp over 40 is more likely to be bacterial and could need antibiotics but lots of viral stuff going around at the moment. Not sure how true that is just quoting what I was told. However if she doesn't seem right surely best to get checked and out your mind at ease

Do you have Nurofen, I find that better for temperatures.

You can give in tandem with the Calpol.

Stay in the 111 queue as well for proper medical advice.

A temperature in itself isn't the issue. It's one of the bodies natural defence to illness but you have to look at the overall picture.

Is child still eating and drinking? Has she passed urine at all today?
Is she "with it" and alert.

If there is a walk-in option then take her but all OOH here are by appointment (given via 111)

If Calpol isn't bringing it down or it rises despite Calpol, I'd stay on the phone to 111 or take her to out of hours if I really couldn't get through.

@Cognoscenti

If Calpol isn't bringing it down or it rises despite Calpol, I'd stay on the phone to 111 or take her to out of hours if I really couldn't get through.

This. But if calpol does bring it down then I wpuldnt bother unless she showed other worrying symptoms.

When my daughter had a temp over 40 calpol didn’t touch it but nurofen worked a bit, so I second trying a different medication! You can alternate the two as well.
I would play this by instinct, if she’s acting well and just running a temp I’d watch and wait but the first sign of something more serious (lethargy, very upset, hard to rouse etc then I’d get her checked out!)
My DD was in hospital not long before Christmas because her temp spiked to 41 and she was so unlike her usual self and she had a raging UTI and tonsillitis so it’s definitely worth taking them if you’re worried - my biggest red flag was that she was drinking as usual but there was no urine output.
I hope she feels better soon

I'd alternate calpol and ibuprofen every 2 hours, if they dont bring her temp down then I'd go to the walk in. But if they do work to do this then just keep watching her.

Make sure she isnt overdressed, shivering doesnt mean cold when they have a temp.

She is drinking yes and she’s been for a wee since we have been home (2 hours). She’s drinking but won’t eat, and has now fell to sleep which is very unusual. She’s normally super hyperactive and like a bouncy ball! 111 got disconnected, I’ll try again now.

Have you done a covid test?

@Jubaju

Have you done a covid test?

Yes. It’s neg.

Second trying neurofen.

I would also try to keep on top of the fever with regular calpol and neurofen, as a high temperature is much harder to bring down than it is to maintain as a low-grade one.