How worried would you be?

[TheUnmentioned]

I have a bit of an issue with health anxiety and naturally worry about dd who is only 8 weeks.

However, ds was very ill last week with a very high fever, sickness, shaking, general aches etc and was sent to the childrens ward for observation.

Now I am panicking about dd getting it. I know it wont do any good but I really am worrying. I have been taking her temperature and it is about 36.9 (underarm) - the thermometer packaging says that is .1 above the normal range but I have checked (not today) about this and they say it is ABSOLUTELY fine.

Someone give me a kick up the arse please? I am sick to the hind teeth of feeling worried and stressed and now Im feeling really concerned.

She has been a bit grumpy and sleeping quite a bit but also 'playing' and smiling at other times and has had decent amount of milk today.

Oh and I think heymango was responding to me saying 'what do they (ie doctors etc) do if a baby has a fever?'

How did you learn teh hard way? I hope all is ok.

hiya - I probably read out of context.. so sorry if I jumped; my DD2 had meningitis at age your DD is now.. touch and go for a while, but she pulled through and is now absolutely fine

What I feel guilty about is not picking it up sooner; she had had a fever and I had her checked out, and was sent home with calpol. A few days later fever spiked again and I sort of assumed it was a similar thing - I also had a DC in nursery, so wasn't too worried as I just assumed that she'd picked something up again, as all children do. In first instance I only phoned NHS as she vomited calpol back up; we were lucky that NHS24/OOH responded brilliantly and urged us to come in.. I dread to think what would have been if I had left it till morning...

In many countries they give out a blanket advice to new parents that fevers in under 3 months are not normal and should always be checked out... something to do with natural levels of immunity (not sure about details though) Either way, I think it's good advice..

Back to your original question - I think that the way we worry and the levels at which we do is to a very large extent determined by our experience. It took me well over a year to have my anxiety levels back to normal'ish. Considering what you've just been through with your DS I think it's totally normal to be extra-concerned about your DD.. I know I would be. And in my experience GP's are always happy to see young babies - better safe than sorry

[apologies for the essay; and thanks for asking]

Thanks Pixie.. I guess I keep sharing the story hoping it will help raise awareness

oricella Im sorry to hear of your experience but Im glad your dd is ok now.

I would always take dd to the doc if she had a fever when she is this small, whether they like it or not tbh! However, as it stands, she doesnt have a fever (touch wood) Im just extra nervous because ds was ill iyswim?

Just to respond to oricella - I absolutely was not advising giving calpol to little babies, I was simply responding to the OPs question about what they could do in hospital if it got to that point - just pointing out that there is treatment.