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Original poster

high fever 40.4

98 replies

PavlovtheCat · 27/03/2011 19:25

DS is 16 months. He has a high fever of 40.4. I am a bit worried.

He has had a fever for most of the last week (tuesday onwards) is teething, DD has had a temperature bug of some kind, lasted 3 days. I spoke to GP on friday, not worried, said bring him in monday if not better, give fluids, calpol/ibruprofen, normal stuff, said there is a bug around with high temp as symptoms. i have been giving him medicine which has mostly reduced temp but today it seems not to be holding it down.

He has a cough, had it all week, getting worse, but not croup like, more like tickly annoying cough, with some gagging. i think he has a sore throat. his breathing is quite shallow, i guess due to temp? And i have just noticed white spots on inside of his bottom lip. General crabbiness, malais, off food but drinking tons of water. No rash.

out of hours gp?

OP posts:
belledechocchipcookie · 27/03/2011 20:52

Don't worry about wasting their time, they would have seen far worse and they won't mind if he's better by the time he's seen.

Children with a temp do often breathe quickly, it's normally nothing to worry about.

activate · 27/03/2011 20:53

do you know about the breathing - like watching his tummy and seeing if it pulls in under his ribcage - that signifies breathing issues

zonedout · 27/03/2011 20:53

sorry, massive x-posts! totally agree with all of the above. and what activate says about the pneumonia in little ones. i had absolutely no idea with my ds2. and dehydration was a very big problem for him from the high temp.

poor you, good luck. am sure he will be bouncing around again soon.

blinks · 27/03/2011 21:04

good luck pavlov, hopefully he'll be seen quickly... in meantime keep him comfortably cool, stripped down with a cotton sheet. i wouldn't even worry about the GP on friday, alot can happen in 3 days and wee ones can deteriorate quickly so best to always err on side of caution.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 27/03/2011 21:06

doc calling back in a mo. they said within 20 mins as it is classed as urgent, fever still too high (as you all rightly said!). He is much much more peaceful now, with max ibruprofen and calpol, but v concerned about what will happen when he can't have any more, which will be through the night.

He has been drinking a lot of water, so think he is keeping himself as hydrated as he is going to be, but his nappy smells strongly of wee, although he is weeing still. So that is good right?

activate yep I have been looking at his tummy lots to make sure his breathing is not pulling into his ribs.

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Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 27/03/2011 21:07

thanks everyone. I really appreciate you holding my hand. He is my second and i still panic and don't feel confident at all when they become unwell!

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blinks · 27/03/2011 21:09

wet nappies is excellent as is the fact that he's wanting fluids.

blinks · 27/03/2011 21:09

are you staggering the ibuprofen and calpol so he's getting something every 2-3 hours?

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 27/03/2011 21:12

blinks yes because calpol is been given every 4 and ibruprofen every 6. Is that ok? I was quite nervous about giving him it all but my best friend who is a nurse said that was fine to do.

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belledechocchipcookie · 27/03/2011 21:14

That's OK pavlov.

ballstoit · 27/03/2011 21:14

Pavlov, Try not to cuddle too much, I know it's hard but your ody temp will keep him warmer. Sit near an open door or window too. A & E doc said that although they will shiver due to illness, still keep cool as poss. No blankets or clothes and tepid water, esp on head and hair.

Thinking of you both

LargeGlassOfRedPlease · 27/03/2011 21:14

my DD had pneumnia with these symptoms...ended in us running into A & E Holby City style (10th day of being poorly and doped up on Cal/Bruf) when she went dramatically downhill in the night.

She was on IV within 20mins. GP had told me earlier in the day she just had a viral infection. Trust your instincts is all I can say.

ballstoit · 27/03/2011 21:15

Would he suck ice pole/cubes/lolly if you've got any knocking around? Would prob sooth throat and mouth as well as cooling down.

activate · 27/03/2011 21:17

good luck with this

I'm still of the mindset that a trip to A&E is warranted particularly if the temp is not stable

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 27/03/2011 21:18

still waiting for call.

He is currently asleep next to me in the bed, no clothes, just nappy, no blanket, bum in the air, knees up, arms tucked under him. It not look comfortable!

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activate · 27/03/2011 21:19

oh god I miss the bum in the air sleeping Grin

Moodykat · 27/03/2011 21:19

I'm another unfortunate mum whos DS had pneumonia. Had temperature for 4 days. GP said he was fine. My instincts said otherwise but we don't like to be a pain do we? Fourth day he went down hill so did same A & E rush as previous poster!
Anyway, not trying to scare you, more just wanted to say that listening to your instincts is so important.

LargeGlassOfRedPlease · 27/03/2011 21:20

Grin...ah, me too!

ballstoit · 27/03/2011 21:21

I'm picturing that, and coming over all netmums, sooo cute Blush

Hopefully not too long to wait. Good that OOH next to A&E, ours is too and OOH doc sent us round a couple of weeks ago (with a queue jumping letter)

Pilchardnpoppy · 27/03/2011 21:27

This sound exacty like what my dd (12 months) has got. She has had temp of up to 39.7. It seems to go up when she sleeps. She is also teething. Have you tried NHS Direct? They were very thorough and asked lots of question to see what she had. It would save you a trip and waiting at out of hours gp.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 27/03/2011 21:27

oh what a roundabout! yes, he needs to be seen, possibly secondary infection (as you all rightly said!) likely throat or ears, very nice man, says it is very busy at ooh clinic tonight so rather than me head up now and wait for hours, he will get the gp there to call me and book a slot!

He said that the temp in itself is not so much of a concern, what is a concern is that at this stage of a bug/illness he should be improving not getting worse, should not be struggling to reduce fever, hence possible infection.

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Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 27/03/2011 21:29

so, all in all between you all - spot on!

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blinks · 27/03/2011 21:29

sounds good- better to wait at home, esp if he's kept cool, than have to hang about a waiting room.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 27/03/2011 21:31

ok, now a silly question. What shall i put him in to take him up there. It is nippy out as there is no cloud...i don't him to boil, but obviously just a nappy will not do...

a normal sleepsuit? one with feet? without feet? fleecy one that I undo when I get there?

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Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 27/03/2011 21:31

god I feel like such a useless mum!

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