1 yo with high temp, GP useless - what should we do?

[kveta]

DS has had a temp of 38.6-38.8 since 2 am. he's not himself, is quite limp and flushed, but still responsive and able to point at things/chuckle between whinges. DH took him to the GP who took his temp as 35 said he was obviously fine and tried to dismiss them. luckily DH was on the ball enough to ask how a temp of 35 could be ok... she then took his temp 5 more times with it getting higher every time. and said he's fine, nothing calpol won't cure. oh, and the GP receptionist told us that fever in over 1s is not a priority - so if he'd had it 2 weeks ago we'd have had an emergency appt rather than having to wait in the drop in.

so I am now home from work with a burning hot DS feeding and lying on my lap shaking and looking like death warmed up. he's had calpol, and I'm not sure what else to do except keep feeding him and checking for a rash.

Have you got some nurofen for kids? I find it works better than calpol in getting the temp down and you can use both alternately.

For what it's worth Kveta, it could be something or nothing - with a temp they will usually check the ears and throat, did the GP do this?
I've had a child checked by one doctor, then the next day or night checked again and found to have an ear infection, that kind of thing.
So take him back later on if he isn't better, go to a walk in or out of hours if you can't get an appt and he is still poorly.

As long as the temp is being controlled by the medication, there's probably no need to panic - just try to keep him comfy.

Try to give the nurofen/calpol regularly, even if he seems Ok, to keep it in his system - temps with a virus will usually go up twice a day, can be very hot at night.

Also take off his clothes, keep him in maybe a t shirt and nappy.

Try calpol and nurofen alternatively for the rest of the afternoon and see how you get on.

Providing he is able to take fluids and is seemingly alert I personally wouldn't be over concerned by the fever alone.

If he becomes unresponsive/sleepy; vomits or temp goes over 39 and wont come down with calpol/nurifen then take him to A&E.

Agree you need to give him ibuprofen as well as calpol, you can then alternate calpol or ibuprofen every 3 hours.

Get him a cool face cloth for his head, have you got a fan? get that out if you have, you need to cool him down.

I don't think they recommend a tepid bath anymore, I'm not sure why, but I have done that in the past. I think it's because people were making the water too cool, but like I say not sure.

My middle is prone to convulsions with a temp, so I'm used to having to cool him down, but I know it's horrible and worrying. Hope he feels better soon.

And meant to say the doctors can't really do anything that you can't do at home if there is no underlying infection. Even with my son's first convulsion when I took him to hospital (not neccesary after first one you can just treat at home) they did nothing but what I've suggested above and weren't worried at all, we were very low prioity.

Tbh a high temperature is a natural and normal reaction to an infection, it is the bodies response and way of killing the bugs, however it is uncomfortable for the poor wee thing.

so calpol/nurofen (lasts 8 hours rather than 4-6 calpol) minimal clothing, lots of fluids, keep an eye on nappy, want nice wet ones.
Personally i never had a thermometer, never checked my childs temp as it only told me what i already knew....he was hot. Unless there is a history of convulsions, then i would just ride the storm.

I've been told by several GPs that a cool bath is the best thing for a high temperature.

That and lots of water to drink and calpol and child nurofen.

Do call the doctor back if you're still worried.

Ds had this -raging temperatures burning hot little body, it was tonsillitis. Give him Calpol or whatever doc said, strip him down, use cool wet washcloths, and keep taking temps. I'd ring back the surgery if there is no improvement. It's awful when little ones are ill, and very scary - have you someone with you?

The tepid bath, cool wash cloths thing is not recommended because it cools the body down too quicky, the body then shivers to try and warm itself back up again, causing another temp spike. It's the spikes that cause the convulsions.

You're looking to keep them cool but in a consistent, gentle way. Not a shock to the system. Because the temp's a part of the natural defence mechanism against illness, the body will fight against such rapid cooling measures.

Is that true? Now I'm feeling quite annoyed at the GPs who've told me to plonk DD in a cool bath.

That temp is just the body doing its job. It is not harmful but you need to keep an eye on it. Here is a list of temps and what you should do:

36.5-37 = Normal

37-38.5 = Body doing its job, don't give anything unless there is other discomfort e.g headache

38.5-39 = Calpol etc.

39+ = Calpol + check with GP.

thanks - will get some nurofen later. am just holding him on my lap and letting him doze. DH is working from home so I've got back up - he took the morning off so i could go into work.

we're just a bit worried because it's so unlike DS to be stationary even when he's ill. will review the situation once he's had a decent nap.

Sounds similar to virus DS had last week (high temperature that wouldn't respond to Calpol, and shivering). Nurofen did the trick for us. Agree with the poster who suggested alternating Calpol and Nurofen every three hours. DS was pretty inert and feeling sorry for himself, too (he's 3.5). Turned out he was coming down with the mother of all colds.
If you and your DH are at home, could one of you pop out and get some Nurofen now? Your DS is more likely to nap well if he's comfortable and if the Nurofen doesn't bring things down within the next hour or so, at least you'll still be within drs hours to call again and ask for advice/second opinion.
Oh, yes - and sponging his face gently with cool water helped.
Hope your DS gets better soon!

Relevant NHS advice here