Fever 40.1

[Wedonttalk]

Five year old has fever of 40.1. She was assessed earlier this morning. Viral cough apparently. Given her some Calpol but she coughed a lot back up. Do I phone 111 or leave her? She's asleep.

Call 111

I'd call 111 for advice.

Call, don't hesitate

Yes 111, that’s a very high temperature

In queue for 21 minutes. Temp is now 39.2. oxygen sat machine says 95-96

Gone on NHS online and it advises calling 111. 35 min

How was she when she was last awake? 111 will want her awake when they ask you questions and she’ll need to respond while you’re on the phone.

Both of mine get really high temperatures when they’re I’ll, so it’s “normal” for them. I go with how they react (ie still talking, not delirious, able to engage etc), their heart rate, their breathing (fast, shallow = not good) and if their temp comes down within an hour of Calpol etc. if they’re not interacting as normal, have shallow breathing and temps aren’t coming down then it’s 111. Last time we one had tonsillitis and got admitted overnight.

Definitely speak to 111 but also pack a bag for a&e because they may well tell you to go in to get checked take short sleeved jammies for her if you have them, slippers, water, something to snack on, bank cards and chargers.

Hope she feels better soon.

For a five year old I wouldn't be too concerned, both mine have v high temps though when they're ill and have been over 40 a good few times. I've had a couple of hospital trips with them but it's then come down (as they do!) obviously there's always the chance of something sinister so worth speaking to 111 but really you know best if your child needs medical attention (111 have never been much use, stock questions and then say alternate calpol and ibuprofen!)

Actually the alternating calpol and ibuprofen is with doing, this was the only thing that brought down my daughter's temp once

She's sleeping and 111 is sending an ambulance. She just wants to sleep. She's purring in her sleep like a cat.

You have done the right thing, hope the ambulance arrives quickly, you will be in good hands.

Can you wake her up? Purring doesn't sound great. She'll probably be better sitting up than lying down.

Four hour wait for ambulance apparently

Glad they're sending someone OP. Try not to worry, they can be so poorly one minute and then start to feel better very quickly. I'm sure they'll get her sorted and on the mend.

If it’s 4 hours I would be scoop her up and take her myself.

Please just take her yourself OP if you can. I'm not saying it's sepsis but if it is it requires an urgent response. Just get her to a hospital as soon as you can and then someone can at least triage her and actually cast their eye on her x

Can you drive her yourself or get someone to take you?

Any update OP? I hope she's ok and you have some support

Temp is now 38 and she's snoring next to me. No deterioration. No rashes or anything.

Still no ambulance. Temp is down and she's sleeping soundly.

Worth phoning them back to cancel then.did you actually alternate calpol and nurofen before calling 111? Worth doing next time it should bring the temp down and stop this hassle for you and leave her peacefully sleeping. Sleep is one of the best medicines for viruses.

Well you can cancel the ambulance if you dont think you need it any more.

I'd wake her and give some calpol and let her fall back asleep with you and if her temp gets low enough call back and say you don't need ambulance anymore and ask them to record your call to discuss with gp tomorrow. If it goes down itself it'd be a shame to drag dd out of bed to spend how long waiting

How is she now?

Did you ibuprofen? Alternating that with paracetamol will be your best bet. A temperature isn’t such a bad thing. Even at 40 degrees plus. It’s
The body fighting whatever the issue is. The increase in temperature is caused by that fight. I wouldn’t have said she needed an ambulance unless she was unrousable, was fitting, struggling to breathe or had a non-blanching rash.

How is she now?