Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2 3 4

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:

thederkinsdame · 28/03/2011 09:18

I agree it's prob tonsilitis. Hope he feels better soon.

ScarlettWalking · 28/03/2011 09:29

This sounds like tonsils to me.

pooka · 28/03/2011 09:47

Ditto tonsils or ears.

FourFortyFour · 28/03/2011 12:15

How did you get on with the Doctor, Pavlov?

Bunbaker · 28/03/2011 12:23

I hope you got the correct help and advice from the doctor.
Calpol should be given every 6 hours, but can be given after 4 hours, but no more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Ibuprofen should be given every 8 hours.

Original poster

PavlovtheCat · 28/03/2011 16:27

ok, get this. NOT his throat or ears! He has a chest infection. Given ABs and told not to give him ibruprofen. DH took him and did not ask why not. Any ideas? Is it because it is a chest infection? DS had breathing trouble when he was a baby between 2wks and 4 months, asthma symptoms which obviously could not be diagnosed as such, he had a chest infection at the end of it, which cleared it with ABs (not convinced he did not have a chest infection for longer but apparantly not). Told likely grown out of it/lung capacity increased as he grew.

He has, surprisingly had no bad bugs since that time, not through winter just gone. He has had minor sniffles, like twice, nothing that has warranted even a trip to Gp til this time, apart from that first 4 months, but wondered if it is caution due to that time? He normally has a great immune system.

OP posts:

Original poster

PavlovtheCat · 28/03/2011 16:31

MmeLindt* yes very up and down. I was so late for work as he would not let me put him down til DH got back from school run, could not have a shower! luckily v supportive at work, and I stayed on for two hours to make up the time, although boss asked if I needed to go home.

At the moment, DS is happily wandering after DD and happy, but he is still hot, green nose, red eyes and if something does not go his way he gets very upset very quickly, but now he has the ABs hopefully a bit of an improvement by tomorrow?

OP posts:

activate · 28/03/2011 16:31

ibuprofen can cause breathing difficulties in some asthmatics - but as he's been taking it fine up to now it's just a precaution

oh and ahem what did I say earlier on in thread?

he will get better so much quicker now he's got the abs

activate · 28/03/2011 16:34

(Dr Activate - it's all the Casualty / Holby City / ER / Grey's Anatomy I watch you know - I am a doctor by osmosis - well that and having 16 years of bug-ridden children)

belledechocchipcookie · 28/03/2011 18:01

Dr Activate's right, Ibuprofen can aggravate asthma.

I hope he's on the mend soon.

Original poster

PavlovtheCat · 28/03/2011 18:19

oh poor lamb, v hot again ! He is really crabby again too, horrid cough, but he ate some food. Good as not eaten well for a few days.

OP posts:

belledechocchipcookie · 28/03/2011 18:36

The antibiotics should start to kick in soon.

My son's asthmatic and I do give him Ibuprofen but only because he's had it before and I know it doesn't affect his asthma. If your son's had ibuprofen before and has been OK then it should be OK for him to have it again, please check with NHS direct or a medical professional first though.

activate · 28/03/2011 18:40

does the calpol bring his temp down at all? Personally I'd risk the ibuprofen if not and it's soaring

hopefully the antibiotics will work quickly

poor you - you must be exhausted

activate · 28/03/2011 18:41

PS in case of any doubt I'm not really a doctor, that was a joke so whilst as a mum I'd give ibuprofen I wouldn't advise anyone else ignores med advice like that

Original poster

PavlovtheCat · 28/03/2011 21:07

activate your not really a holby city doctor? i was trying to picture which one you might be...

Temp drops to around 38.3 with calpol. He is asleep now and has been for a couple of hours, he is exhausted himself. spat out most of his ABs this evening, so had to give him more! I think he got some!

Calpol is reducing the temp, just not as much, or as fast as I would like, it does get there eventually, but it seems to take a long time getting there, and then for a short while before it wears off. I have always found ibruprofen much more effective at reducing both the kids temp (and mine) than paracetamol. He is due more paracetamol in a bit, if it keeps it at 38.3 til he gets ABs working, i will be ok with that as he is resting well/sleeping ok at that temp so can work through it. If it goes about 38.5 with calpol or if he goes as high as 40.4 again i will give him ibruprofen i think, but will see. Hi breathing has been odd with this bug, esp today, he is doing this sort of breathing in, holding his breath for a second and then out again (you know that sort of concentrating holding of breath? like that) i guess that is part of it being a chest infection, but makes me nervous about using the ibruprofen now!

I am shattered, but not asleep as had to prep for a group tomorrow, didn't take long but needed a bit of time afterwards to de-role from work mode! No off to bed to try and get half hour before one of them wakes me!

thanks again ladies. x

OP posts:

Original poster

PavlovtheCat · 28/03/2011 21:08

although i would prob call the ooh gp and get them to tell me to use the ibruprofen if his temp stays too high. I mean he will have to have something then won't he, if it stays over 39 even with calpol, that can't be healthy?

OP posts:

MmeLindt · 29/03/2011 06:41

How is he today, Pavlov?

Dr Lindt (med. ER/Casualty)

StillSquiffy · 29/03/2011 12:25

When my DS spat out his medicine I used to find it easier to give him an ice pop, and while he was sucking it I would put in a syringe at same time - always worked a treat.

Original poster

PavlovtheCat · 29/03/2011 20:57

He is soooooooo much better it is unreal! He slept well last night, woke up 3 times with a coughing fit and wanting to drink, so tiring for me, but temp is now right down and he is almost happy. He has had some fresh air, a little quicker to get grumpy but mostly happy again, just a productive cough and green snot! ABs are amazingly quick aren't they?

Thank you so much ladies for helping me when I was so unsure of what to do. MN great as always x

OP posts:

belledechocchipcookie · 29/03/2011 20:59

So pleased he's on the mend. It's now time for you to have a rest.

Original poster

PavlovtheCat · 29/03/2011 21:30

Fraid not! I now have a poorly daughter with me, sore genitalia, need to do another thread, keep an eye out doctor holby etc!

OP posts:

MmeLindt · 29/03/2011 21:32

Hurrah, glad to hear that he is better.

[polishes Dr TV certificate]

Take a seat in the waiting room, MrsPavlov. Doctor will be with you in a moment.

blinks · 30/03/2011 02:04

good stuff x

Flip

1 2 3 4