2 yr old with temp of 104 (39.9) wwyd?

[cheekyprincess]

Quick background of symptoms: yesterday - ds very whingy (normally a very hardy child) and clingy, refused dinner (big appetite), fell asleep on sofa hours before bedtime, temperature started creeping up, slight twitching, a rash appeared (gone by this morning) strange breathing at times last night. Checked his temperature last night - 38.8C. By this morning it was up to 39.9C. Still no appetite, lethargic, very scary.

Took ds to the doc this morning and he had a quick check over. The only thing out of the ordinary physically was a red throat. So the doctor has jumped on this, prescribed amoxycillin and sent us off for the weekend telling me to keep his temperature down with calpol and nurofen.

Can't help but feel the doctor (a very good one, never given me reason to criticise, very thorough) has latched on to the only 2 real symptoms and is maybe ignoring the cause. Doctor thinks its likely an infection. He does feel better with calpol. I just feel uneasy. Am I just being a paranoid mum or should I trust my gut?

Sounds like a virus to me, both my boys have had similar.

What do you think it is?

Sounds like a virus to me, however I think the Docs advice was sound. Do keep an eye on DS breathing and if he hasn't improved by Sun take him to out of hours GP as Antibiotics should have kicked in by then.
The antibiotics are there to fight the cause, so I am not sure what else you thought he needed to do?

My son had nothing wrong with him apart from a cough and a temperature of 39.6. He was given antibiotics and is still coughing now 2 weeks later.

Some coughs take a long time to shake. My mum gave ds a virus with a cough that he still has nearly 2 wks later but then we never use ABs so would expect to take slightly longer to get rid of I suppose.

N the face of it your GPs advice seems sound. My DS frequently has very high temperatures and ALWAYS has a funny breathing pattern when he has them, almost a short, shallow, panting.

However, I am a BIG believer in mother's instinct (as you know your child best). Start the antibiotic, treat him with paracetamol and ibuprofen (I find ibuprofen works better to bring down the temperature, so I give that first and then 'maintain' with regular paracetamol using another dose of ibuprofen if temperature rises again. IYKWIM?). But if he deteriorates or is not better after 48hrs, I'd seek further care.

Trust your instincts.

Purplebuns - what indeed! I fear I may be worrying excessively.

He did say that if ds was no better by Sunday to call out of hours.

Can I use the excuse of first high temperature and my only dc? Glad I put this up, pretty sure he's in good hands.

Thank you all. You have saved me from over analysing. We shall trust the doctor. So glad I posted on here, a calm, detached mind is always a good thing in a bad situation.

Is the calpol bringing his temperature down? if it goes above 104f even after meds and you have tried cool bath etc, call out of hours even if it isn't sunday.

Yes, calpol and nurofen are keeping it down. It's still high, but not scary.

Hi, hope your little chap is on the mend

He is much better today. Feel silly for this thread now! But rather this than wasting the time of other health professionals. Especially since he did receive perfectly appropriate care. Dammit you, cold light of day!

Hat a relief that must be for you .

Please don't ever feel that you are wasting the time of health professionals. It is their job, and you did have real cause for concern as his temperature was very high.