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Original poster

Do i take DS to the GP? High temp and possible UTI

36 replies

JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 12:44

Temp was 39.5 last night, its gone down a little bit but he's still roasting. He's complaining that it hurts when he wees; do I need to take him to the doc or wait and see if it clears up?

Going to give the surgery a ring when they open again at 2 but wanted to gauge opinion here first

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Jacksterbear · 01/08/2011 12:45

Yes, UTIs need seeing more urgently in boys (so I have been advised on here before).

ShowOfHands · 01/08/2011 12:46

Yup, UTIs always need seeing, particularly in a boy.

Can you try and get a sample from him?

Marne · 01/08/2011 12:47

Deffently take him, the longer you leave it the worse it will get and the infection could spread to his kidneys. He needs antibiotics and then he will be fine in a day or 2.

Bunbaker · 01/08/2011 12:50

Ditto the others. UTIs should never be ignored. Make sure you take a urine sample with you

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 12:50

Thank you, I'll definitely ring this PM. He only mentioned it yesterday so not had it for long.

Can UTIs cause raging temps like this? He's never had a temp before so wasn't sure how to deal with it

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Jacksterbear · 01/08/2011 12:52

Yep fever = sign of infection

Bunbaker · 01/08/2011 12:53

"Can UTIs cause raging temps like this? He's never had a temp before so wasn't sure how to deal with it"

Yes. DD's temp went up to over 41 with a UTI - she ended up in hospital. Untreated UTIs have serious implications so I would ring your GP now. Tell the receptionist you suspect a UTI and say it is urgent. Don't be fobbed off.

ShowOfHands · 01/08/2011 12:53

Yes the fever is a sign that his body is fighting an infection. It's a good thing in a lot of ways. His body is responding.

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 13:06

The surgery is closed for lunch but ill get an appt for this afternoon. Don't worry, I'm not the type to be fobbed off and tbh they're usually pretty good :)

Only left it this morning because he seemed loads better, he's playing quite happily

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Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 13:07

Was strange in a way, he's 3.5 and has never had a temp over 37 before

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going · 01/08/2011 13:09

Definaltey take him. DD1 had a UTI at that age and really suffered. Unusal for a boy to get one so will probably need investigating.

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 14:05

I love our GP surgery, just called them and he has an appt in 40 mins, didn't even need to push for it Grin

Thanks all for the advice, I had no idea that a UTI could cause such a high temp or could be so serious. Had a look on NHS Direct as well which was very useful

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Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 15:28

Strange, no bacterial infection so the doc doesn't really know what's wrong. He said it could be a viral infection but very unlikely Confused

Sad
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ShowOfHands · 01/08/2011 15:33

Has he sent off a urine sample for analysis? Did he look at his penis? No redness, soreness or swelling that you can see?

It's also possible that the infection is elsewhere (and it could be viral as opposed to bacterial). The other thing to bear in mind is when children are ill or feverish, they often can't pinpoint where it hurts so when he says it hurts to wee, it might not be anything to do with that at all and could be a different part of his body entirely or it may have hurt once and he's just made the connection.

What did the gp advise? If he's in pain give him medication (ibuprofen is often better than calpol as long as he's ok to have it ie not asthmatic for example), keep him cool and stripped off, lots of fluids and monitor how warm he is and how he's behaving. If at all concerned see somebody else.

It could just be a virus. How old is he? Has he really never been poorly with a temp before?

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 15:41

He tested a urine sample with those strips, nothing came up on it. He didn't send one off. He didn't look at his penis, no. I've had a look and can't see any redness at all though. He's very specific about when it hurts and exactly where - that is hurts when he stops weeing, and that it's the sides that hurt. He keeps saying that his tummy hurts though, which I thought would imply UTI.

He gave him some canesten cream in case it's a fungal infection that's hurting (and DS has just said he's itchy, so could well be that). That wouldn't explain the high temp though Confused

He's 3.8, never been really ill before, never had a temp at all.

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ShowOfHands · 01/08/2011 15:43

They do say their tummies hurt. Regardless of what the problem is, particularly when feverish.

I know it's perfectly possible to have a dipstick show up nothing but a lab to analyse and find it is an infection after all. Depends on a lot of factors as to why it doesn't show up in the urine.

How is he atm?

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 15:46

GP did say to give it 2/3 days and if no better then to come back.

He's alright, sitting on the sofa eating cheerios, so can't be too bad Grin
He's absolutely boiling though. Trying to hold off with the calpol as he seems OK in himself at the moment (will save it for tonight when he can't settle)

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ShowOfHands · 01/08/2011 15:49

Grin Sounds like he's muddling though.

Meds are good if they're in pain or uncomfortable but if he's not complaining you're right to hold off, just keep him in loose clothing, make sure some air's circulating (window open or fan on in the room, though not directly on him), lots to drink and keep an eye out.

The fact that he's hot is a good sign believe it or not, as long as it's not making him unwell in itself. His body IS fighting whatever it is.

ShowOfHands · 01/08/2011 15:50

DD had the odd cold btw here and there, no notable illness until she was 3.8 btw. She started preschool. Or germschool as it should be called...

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 16:01

:)

DS has been at nursery since about 1yo! He brings back a different cold/cough every week but I'm hoping that by the time he starts school he'll be immune to most things Grin

ugh.. it's just annoying, I wont dose him with anything until much later on, but will prob give him a full dose of calpol so he can get some decent sleep

thanks :)

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Jacksterbear · 01/08/2011 16:11

DS had exactly the same symptoms (plus he was wetting himself) at pretty much the same age... took him to OOH GP who also said there was no sign of infection on testing urine... he was fine within a day or two and we never established what it was.

Sounds like you are doing the right thing to keep a close eye and give calpol when needed.

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 18:16

Oh I feel such an idiot, I've just looked down his throat and its all red and swollen... so, does tonsilitis need ABs or will that go on its own

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shrinkingnora · 01/08/2011 18:26

Bacterial tonsilitis will need antibiotics - can you see any white spots o nhis throat? Ibuprofen is really good for that kind of thing and you can alternate with the paracetomol. Hope he feels better soon.

Original poster
JarethTheGoblinKing · 01/08/2011 18:29

Yeah, it looks exactly like the tonsilitis photo on wiki, swollen lumps with yellowy white bits on them

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shrinkingnora · 01/08/2011 19:33

Ds1 had it last week and was better within 24 hours of taking antibiotics. Hope you manage to get some quick!

PS Give him live yoghurt to restore the gut bacteria. apparently a good idea!