Should I be taking DS (2.8) to see a Dr?

[JoyceBarnaby]

DS (2.8yrs) woke up on Sat night quite hot (didn't try to take temp at that point) and having some odd dreams. He came in with us, was a bit unsettled so we gave him some calpol and he eventually went back to sleep.

We went out yesterday, but he didn't want to do anything. His nose has been running a bit, his eyes are quite red-rimmed and he hasn't had much of an appetite at all.

He's perked up a bit with each dose of medicine but then gets hot and lethargic again when each dose wears off. He had a similar night last night to Saturday.

Our normal thermometer needs a new battery and I couldn't buy a new one so bought a temp strip for his forehead. It says either normal or low fever (38) at the mo.

Should I be taking him to see a Dr?

Bump - please, anyone?

The symptoms sound like it could be a cold, and the fever being low-grade sounds like your DS isn't in a very serious condition. However, you are his mum and you know best, so trust your instincts, keep an eye on him, and if you feel his condition is getting worse, take him to the dr, or you could try calling NHS direct first.

I would never trust a forehead temp strip. I tried one on my DD when she was a wriggly baby and didn't like the under-arm thermometer. It said her temperature was normal when she was clearly hot.

If you are worried about yout DS then take him to the GP. You know better than anyone else whether he is only as unwell as he normally gets with a cold, or if he worse than usual. Personally I would not take DD to the GP unless she still had a temperature after 3 days, has breathing difficulties, or a rash.

Hope your DS is better soon.

Thanks. I guess I am being a bit paranoid!!

I promise I am normally a sensible person but I read something the other day about Doctors needing to act within 48 hours if someone has flu and it panicked me. But if he's perking up with medicine - even if the temp thing is wrong - it can't be that bad, can it?

He's a PFB and I'm an over-emotional pregnant lady, so probably just me being silly!!

the only thing would worry me in the lethargy.

if your concerned then just take him but it doesn't sound like anything sinister.

Sounds like a cold, tbh.
With a flu he would most probably have a high fever, and a runny nose is rather rare in flu (at least in the beginning of it).
If his ears don't hurt, he perks up after Calpol, I would just leave it for now, I think.
Btw, both dcs had flu last week and it wasn't big deal, tbh, except tiredness and v.high fevers. The paediatritian told me to come and see her if the fever doesn't get better after 5 days. No point in running to the doctor and exposing others to the flu if there aren't any worrying symptoms or dcs are not in a at risk group.

*paediatrician

Thank you.

I'll keep giving the calpol when I can and see how he goes. I don't want to be the sort of mum that takes their pfb to the GP for a cold!!