Would you give toddler Calpol for temp of 38.1?

[winnybella]

Taken rectally. DD (22 mo) has a wet cough, runny nose, not a great appetite (although fine when it's something sweet ).

Couldn't bf before bed as nose blocked up, tried the sucking thingy, helped a bit, anyway, she feel asleep on the breast, woke up when put down in her cot, complained for 3 or 4 minutes and fell asleep (I think).

I took her temp just before bf and it was 38.1 rectally. I didn't give her anything as I am of the old school of thought that fever helps fight the infection- but I'm wondering whether it'll go up a lot and I'll wake up at 2 am to a very hot toddler.

It seems to me to be a standard cold, not flu, iyswim.

Would you? Or better wait and check on her in a couple of hours?

& Bunbaker. Your poor DD.

SwearyMary- well, we're in France Suppositories are very popular here, for adults as well I have to say it worked really quickly, though- 20 minutes later she was already feeling cooler!

I take tmperature in the rectum because it's easier and more exact than underarm. I haven't got an ear thermometer- might get one, though. Aren't they very expensive?

No need to go to the doctor, though, is there? Seems it's just a bad cold.

What do I do wrt DS? Make him stay at ex's? Really want to see him before he goes away for the Christmas!

Thanks for that winny!
My ear thermometer is a neurofen one and cost me less than £15. Its so quick and easy. It has a room thermometer on it too so you can make sure the sick childs/persons room is at a nice temperature.

Perhaps DS can come to you for a short time today?

No, I don't think you need the Dr....see how she goes over the next 24yrs.

Rectal administration of paracetamol is used very commonly worldwide - it is more easily absorbed and less likely to be vomited back up.

Also, rectal temperature is more accurate then other methods.

Having said that, my DD would not let me anywhere near her behind as she can remember glycerin supps for constipation when she was younger.

Forgot I meant to say you it sounds like you are doing fine Winnybella.

My DDS are teenagers now and when they were little the ear thermometers were not so available and were quite expensive. They possibly are still quite expensive in France. Get your DH to nip into Boots and pick one up while he is in London.

Yes, I remember seeing one recently- it was almost 40 euros

DD's all perky now, but in a erm, challenging mood.

I think a day or two on the sofa is in order.

And to think even a few days ago I was feeling all smug how DD and I never get ill

The reason paracetamol suppositries are not used in the uk is because they are ridiculously expensive! They are about £18 for children and £37 for adult for just 10 doses. Both my DCs had/have a problem with FCs and my DD was particularly bad with medicine and I had to beg the paediatrician for a prescription.
From what I can gather in europe they are so much cheaper.

£18???? Here they are 3 or 4 euros and you don't need a prescription. They really work so much quicker, don't they?

I didn't need a prescription to buy them, but under the NHS children's medicines that are prescribed by Gp or consultant are free.

Bunbaker, what are you about? I don't mean I ignore dd when she's ill. Quite the opposite, I look at her as opposed to the thermometer. I mean I check her temp by feeling her neck/head with my lips if possible as this gives you a better gauge of the difference between temps and I then cool her using a fan, cool drinks, stripping her off etc. I don't medicate for a temp alone. If my dd was ill as you describe (and she has been, hospitalised when v poorly, stopped breathing, had been floppy and unresponsive previously), I would of course give medicine, see a gp etc. As per NICE guidelines and my own instincts, I don't medicate a child who has JUST a temp. A child like you describe who is shaking/fitting and obviously ill is not what I was referring to. And the rare occasions when I take a temp are for when I need to tell the GP what her temp is. The number doesn't tell me much, what tells me much is how she feels, if she cools when stripped off/given drinks etc, and how she is behaving.

I think I didn't express myself very well. A temp is a good thing in isolation. Means the body's reacting to illness. I just don't medicate a temp when the child is otherwise well.

Hi, I would only give calpol if she is feeling clearly miserable and calprofen if it is earache. If you are worried about temperature spiking during night you can give her a dose of calpol and calprofen before taking her to bed (you can make a schedule and space the medication over 24 hours at regular intervals). I would definitely give medication if temperature is rising quickly or above 38.5 C at her age. Also, if she has a cold what hampers drinking I would give her saline nose drops (or sterimar spray) to help drinking and make sure she doesn't end up with ear infection and no drinking laying down as this increases risk of ear infection. You can also give piriton (if appropriate for her age, can't remember) to clear mucus quicker, so reducing risk of sore throat/ear infection. Humidifier also helps when she is sleeping. Also, if she first had a cold and now fever, then it can mean that she is developing an ear infection. Flu usually starts suddenly with high fever straight away (e.g. high, not 38 C) as far I can remember, but I am not a doctor. Hope she feels better soon. Most important is that she keeps getting enough fluids.

39 degrees now, but reasonably perky, so will try to wait til bedtime to give the paracetamol.

I just got called to DS's school, he run straight into a wall, bleeding from the nose, chin, lips...bit the inside of his lip, the gums on top are bleeding and are cut...called his paediatrician and she said there's no reason to go to A&E or to see her as his teeth are not moving and he didn't hit his head. Hmmm. He looks like Mick Jagger at the mo thanks to the swollen lips.

So one incredibly snotty toddler with fever, 8yo with bleeding/bruised face and me, coughing and sneezing. And no DP til Monday. Yay.

Oh winny - you poor thing! Maybe you could treat yourself to a hot whisky later when the children are in bed. Purely for medicinal reasons of course! :)

She's asleep in my bed! This child never goes to bed before 9 and even then often plays for another hour.

It's 7pm here. I hope she's okay

She managed to eat one scrambled egg with ham and then I asked her if she wants to lay down on mummy's bed and she said yes and I changed her and gave her paracetamol and bf for 3 minutes and she fell asleep.

Do you think it's because I didn't give her anything for the fever during the day and she is just tired with it?

And why are her eyes tearing? Literally there are tears coming down her cheeks. Eyes not red.

worried bump

Keep an eye on her but sleep is probably the best thing for her. It's good that she's eating and drinking. She's probably just worn out from fighting whatever it is. Sleep will help. Try not to worry ( I know it's hard! ) sit down and have a rest while you can. She may wake up later if she's gone to sleep earlier than usual. You have to look after yourself too - you'll be no use to anyone if you wear yourself out! x

Thanks, bubbleymummy-yes, I'm planning to join her in 20 minutes with a cup of herbal tea and laptop. Poor little mite- she only had a couple of days of fever once-it's the first time she has a cold-that's why I'm worrying. You're right, though, nothing better than sleep for fighting an infection.

"She's asleep in my bed! This child never goes to bed before 9 and even then often plays for another hour."

My 15 year old has had this flu bug since the weekend and he put himself to bed 6.30 one night and before 8.30 another and has spent all week lying either in bed or on the sofa. He went back to school this morning because it was the last day, and is sulking now because we won't let him go ice skating tonight

Streaming eyes are just a normal symptom of colds and flu.

Well, she woke up few minutes later so I went to her thinking I'll just bf and we'll cuddle and she'll fall back asleep.

She's in her brother's room now, squealing and laughing and generally just tormenting him

There goes my early night.

Ha! Love it! They're either up or properly down when they're poorly. But tormenting your brother is a good sign!

I would like to say that i think its a bit degrading to stick a thermometer up anyones bum and would never subject any child to that never mind my own, also medicating rectally with suppositories, how would we feel if someone stuck something up our backsides when we could have something just as good by swallowing it???

I would medicate for a temp, if a temp is too high for too long it can cause internal organs to fail, coming from a consultants mouth, not just pulled out the air, I wouldnt like to be sitting around with a temperature, roasting from the inside out cause thats how it feels!!!

Why have you bumped this?

doris- it's an old thread.

I stick a thermometer up DD's bum because a)it gives a more accurate reading than underarm and b)it's easier to do.

You only put the thin end less than an inch in. DD never seemed distressed by it ergo I don't think I'm hurting her. It's also a widely accepted method of taking the temperature in young children.

And no, a mild to medium fever will not cause an organ failure

Oh, and I don't think a 22 mo is feeling 'degraded' by having a paracetamol suppository put in. Fgs. They act quicker than syrup and will not be vomited back up.

I felt like bumping it!!!

I didnt say it WOULD, I said it COULD. I also said it was the advice of a consultant, those people that are qualified to give that sort of information, I guess he was lying

Im entitled to my opinion the same as everyone else

up the bum is a bit dark ages, GPs dont even do that!!!!