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Children's health

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Original poster

Temperature advice please

8 replies

sotiredandfedup · 16/02/2011 20:55

My DS (5.5yo) has had a temperature since Monday afternoon. At it's highest it was 39.4 but he has been responding to nufofen / calpol. At best it has dropped to 37.1, but then goes up again a few hours later. It has been averaging about 38.2 I think.

When it is really high he is lethargic and just wants to sit on the sofa, but as soon as the meds kick in he is fine, jumping around playing as usual. He has been slightly off his food, but only a bit - he managed to eat four fish fingers, rice and peas and an icecream for tea tonight!

He is not dehydrated as I am making him drink loads and he has weed about six times today. He has absolutely no other symptoms apart from this yo yo temperature.

I am reluctant to take him to the docs as to look at him he seems normal, so how will the doc tell what's wrong? I have a feeling I will just be told it is a 'virus' and to keep an eye on him, which I will of course anyway. Any advice or similar experiences please?

OP posts:

Ebb · 16/02/2011 21:06

Ds, 2.9, had this a couple of weeks ago. It lasted about a week. I did take him to the Docs to get ears/throat etc checked but they were all fine. The temperature fluctuated randomly. Doctor said 'virus'. Hope your Ds feels better soon.

tomatoesontoast · 16/02/2011 22:08

my DD's been the same today, max 39.4, comes down with nurofen/calpol combi, jumping & dancing when temp is down, still eating normally. Took her to doctors bec temp hadn't come down with nurofen (sods law it did by the time we went to drs), he checked ears, throat etc which were all ok so said it's prob a 'virus'!

ShowOfHands · 16/02/2011 22:13

DD has just had exactly the same thing. Temp up and down for about 5 days. Calpol turned her back into her normal self but was lethargic and mopey without it. No other symptoms. Eating fine. Just hot.

She's fine again now. Just a weird virus I think.

If it persists or gets worse, go to the GP.

Original poster

sotiredandfedup · 17/02/2011 10:26

Thanks, that's all very reassurring. He slept thru the night ok but his temp was 38 again this morning so I've kept him off school again. I don't think there can be too much wrong as he eat his cereal and then requested sweets - er, no! He is now happily painting and making things in between climbing on the furniture!

OP posts:

lukewarmmama · 17/02/2011 10:32

I would make an appointment for Friday, which you can cancel if he perks up by then - and sounds like he's not doing so badly! Then you can always get him checked out before the weekend (its the law that if they're going to get really poorly, its always at the weekend!).

tomatoesontoast · 17/02/2011 11:03

DD's temp still up this morning & had to give her nurofen & calpol in the night. Only just gave her Calpol about 10 mins ago though as it was creeping up to the mid 38s (last dose before then was 5.30am so I think (hope) she's slowly getting over it)

tomatoesontoast · 17/02/2011 11:30

spoke too soon, now up to 39.1 despite having calpol

sneezecakesmum · 17/02/2011 13:12

Give it 3 full days of high temp before you see your GP unless other syptoms develop. You are doing all the right things and it takes 3 days or so for the body to overcome the viral illness. If it persists though or he develops an earache/cough etc. or is not controlled with brufen or calpol, then see your GP. The fact he is lively between doses is a very good sign - it really is 'look at the child not the thermometer'

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