Temp for 48 hours isn't that long?

[koalalala]

AIBU to think 48 hours with a temp isn't actually that long?

DS is 2. He's got a cough and a high temperature and a huge amount of snot. He started Thursday / Friday coughing with a high temp starting overnight on Friday.

He was okay in himself but tired etc on Friday and struggling to sleep due to coughing etc. I've been at work today and DP says his temp has been hovering around 37.5-38.2 through the day. His temp seems to fluctuate but calpol doesn't seem to do anything or bring it down - I guess it's not THAT high? I can't alternate with ibuprofen as he's allergic to it so I only have paracetamol as an option.

This evening I've come back and it's 38.8. He had calpol an hour ago but is still going up. He's blocked up etc and coughing but has gone to sleep.

On one side I've got my DM insisting I call 111 and get an out of hours appointment as he's had a temp for 48 hours etc and on the other side I've got DP who thinks I'm mental for even worrying about him. I'm stuck in between and don't know what to think.

I called 111 on Friday and they told me to see a pharmacist 🤷🏼‍♀️ got to the pharmacy they told me was open and it's bank holiday and it wasn't. The assistant looked bewildered why I'd want my toddler to see them anyway.

It's not covid - tested.

Is it overly strange for a fever to last a couple of days or more (fluctuating)? I accept DS is normally better quicker than this and he does still seem quite poorly but perhaps it's just a nasty bug? Should I be more worried?

He's had a mild temp today and a couple of days isn't abnormal at all. However, you say it's higher tonight and importantly, still going up post Calpol and he's unusually ill for him so I think there might be an argument for a once over.

What would you think if you didn't have a thermometer? As in, try looking at him and not the number and assess how you think he is.

I'd be concerned that calpol isn't bringing it down, sounds like it's more bacterial than viral. I'd phone 111 for an out of hours GP appointment at the very least

Calpol rarely brings him down to be honest. He rarely gets a temp but when he does it's always very high and stubborn. I've been in A&E multiple times with him & they always say that it's about the child not the temp and that paracetamol doesn't actually stop the risk of seizures etc it's just to make him comfortable. His temp is always higher in evening / at night when he's poorly.

Honestly (although I've not been with him for most the day) I think he's poorly but I'm not THAT worried. He's tired etc but he's poorly. I've checked his o2 and it's normal and his heart rate is normal. He's a bit pale but again he is poorly.

Not seeing any signs to suggest it's bacterial and not viral? He's got a snotty nose, sneezing, coughing (with snot) and a temp. If it was viral surely it would be more on his chest or different symptoms?

I'm worried that him losing another night sleep being dragged into hospital will be counter productive to actually getting him better. There's no hope of seeing a GP on a weekday here it's a nightmare. I don't think he's ever been seen out of hours. It's always go to A&E and they're less than impressed we're there!

I always think with a fever it really depends how they are behaving, if they're fairly normal just a bit tired I tend not to worry. I don't think 48 hours is worrisome but I would be checking every hour or two overnight, and give another calpol dose when due. You're the only one who knows your child - trust your instincts. I have to pin my 3 year old down to get calpol in them so don't usually bother unless they're above 39 degrees as it causes too much upset. But even then I've not called 111 as they've been basically acting normally. They're all different. No one is going to have a go if you call 111.

I’ve found after 2 children and multiple temperatures and GP trips and a couple of hospital trips that irs not so much their temp but how they were in themselves.
DD recently had a temp for that amount of time that wasn’t always brought down by calpol but she was eating, drinking, playing a bit, and responsive. In the past she had a temp like that but wasn’t eating or drinking and just presented as really unwell so I knew she needed to see the doctor and then went into hospital not because of the temp but because the temp was stopping her drinking which was a problem

I think my only worry would be the Calpol not bringing it down.
An open window is amazing for temps, I remember a dr at hospital telling me to do this and I've done it ever since for him.

Nothing wrong with getting a call back from a gp via 111 for some reassurance if your getting pulled two ways by family.

Is he drinking enough?

How is he in himself? A temperature as low as his isn’t really a concern, nor is it when it lasts for 48 hours. Does he come across as being ill? Dehydrated?

Yes he's drinking plenty and is still eating. Window is open and he's in the room with me so I'm keeping a close eye on him. He's without bedding in just PJs so shouldn't be too hot given the environment.

I think I'll see how he is tomorrow and go from there. Even if they give antibiotics tonight I'm not going to be able to realistically get them tonight anyway. I don't think it's bad enough to go up to A&E.

I've checked again & hes 38.5 so around the same but not worse

He comes across as Ill but not dehydrated. He's drank water since I've been home & DP says he's drank today & had wet nappies.

I wouldn’t be particularly worried if my child wasn’t drowsy and was eating and drinking okay.

I would also worry that calpol is not bringing it down and it’s something like tonsillitis or ear infection. I would phone 111, they won’t ask you to come without a reason.
Are you given him a right dose of calpol? Sorry for the question but my DD was small for her age and often needed younger age dosage so I’m used to question it.

My DC had an ear infection and the only symptom was a temp.

If he's drinking then a mild temperature for 2 days wouldnt concern me at all.

Wouldn't even give calpol for that tbh unless he seemed out of sorts/uncomfortable.

I've always been told by Drs that ibuprofen is much better at bringing a temperature down.

Are you given him a right dose of calpol? Sorry for the question but my DD was small for her age and often needed younger age dosage so I’m used to question it That would be very unusual surely? The dose on the bottle is very much on the side of caution. All the doctors I know work out the correct dose for their child's weight so they can give more than it says.

OP it sounds like your child is prone to temperatures from a few things you've said. Some children really seem to respond to bugs with fevers. If they are fine in themselves that doesn't sound too concerning but if you have any doubt I don't think there's any harm in calling 111.

I was told by gp if their form isn't too bad, are drinking ok, not too lethargic and temp isn't consistently above 40 then not to worry until it's been 5 days of temps.

Just a word of warning if you are going to ring 111. I had to ring this afternoon ( 3.15pm) as daughter ill, temperature etc. I was told that someone would ring back but it could take up to 10 hours as they are busy. I waited until 9pm to hear from someone, they prescribed antibiotics straight away . Waiting over 5 and half hours was awful when I knew she just needed antibiotics.

@Beetlebum1981

I've always been told by Drs that ibuprofen is much better at bringing a temperature down.

Not great if your child's allergic to it though!

How is he this morning koalalala?