Fever lasting a week - would you go to GP?

[spotofcheerfulness]

My DS (2) has had a temp of 39 or above for a week now, only controlled by 4-hourly used of alternated ibuprofen or calpol. He's had a series of ear infections this winter but doesn't seem like that this time, seems more viral. I know that viruses go on for weeks sometimes but didn't know if the temperature did as well. DS has a cough and snotty nose and is ok once the painkillers have kicked in but is miserable as they start wearing off. His appetite is diminished but he is still eating bits and is well hydrated. I have taken him loads to the GPs recently which is why I'm hesitant to keep going back, but surely a week-long fever that shows no signs of diminishing is not right? Has anyone else's DC had this?

Yes my DS is only just recovering now from a flu like virus which kept his temp around 38-40 for a week. He has hardly eaten anything but drinking fine. I have spoken to the doctor 3 times and it's just one of many viruses going about at the moment and this particular one seems to be lasting a long time. He (still) has a awful cough and snotty nose now and is not 100% - slept from 1.30-5pm today when I decided to wake him.

Why don't you call your GP tomo and see what he/she says before trekking in?

Good call, thanks folks I will. I was going to call NHS direct but my experience of their advice is just to say 'go to the GP anyway'. I am so desperate for this to go away as I am 38.5 wks pg with DC2 and would love to get a night's sleep before the birth (DS wake with a fever in the night and it often takes 2 hours for the Calpol to kick in before he settles back to sleep).

Yes, I think a high temp that goes on for more than 3 days is worth a GP visit.

Agree you'll probably get a quicker response from the GP anyway - I called NHS direct this time last week and they told me it would be a 24hr wait for a nurse to call back ! I called the OOH doc in the end and they called me back within 15 mins although didn't seem very concerned even with a temp over 40!

yes. I agree with dearprudence, I tend to take them to the GP's if the temp hasn't gone down after a couple of days.