High temp for over 3 days, should I ring/take to docs?

[permaquandry]

Dd2 has had high temp since Sunday morn. In the day it's around 38 but at night she's boiling and around 39.5.

She's lucid, chatting and drinking lots but only eating sporadically. She's laying on the sofa all day watching tv but is 'happy'.

Should I ring docs, or sit it out? Is it normal for a 4 yr old to gave a temp for this long? It is coming down with calp/profen, tho am only giving it to her at night, as she doesn't seem to be suffering too much during the day. Thx.

Anyone? She's just had a little play and then a massive strop and is now back on sofa, visibly unwell. Temp is 38.3ish. Doesn't want food but wants drink.

I would leave it a little longer, i think they say 'if temp his high for more than 4 days then get it checked out' but if you are worried then take her. These things often last 3-5 days, i always go by how they seem in theirselves, so if she's playing and eating a little then she's probably ok and her body is fighting off whatever it is, if she's sleeping all day, not eating and crying then take her straight to the gp. Keep up the fluids (these are more important than food), often kids will stop eating due to the nasty taste you get in your mouth when poorly.

Theres no harm in getting her checked out if you are worried.

Plenty of fluids,playing/active with fever then can wait.Coming down with calpol/nurofen.If anytime different from usual behaviour then call GP.If concerned you should call GP.

Personally, I take mine to the doctor by the third day - and quite often before that. But then mine seem to catch a lot of things that require antibiotics, and are utterly miserable/in pain, which is perhaps a bit different.

Personally I would have it seen to. 39.5 is very high. Maybe you could try NHS Direct in the first instance? Hope she is better soon.

I would also give calpol/nurofen during the day, even if she doesn't seem bothered by her temp. Otherwise her wee body is working hard to try and regulate, which I would think could delay her recovery?

Am not an expert by any means, but that's what I do - DS2 is great at not altering his behaviour even though quite ill...

Mrs GC, you don't need to lower their temperature if it's not bothering them. The body actually elevates the temperature to help to fight the illness so as long as it isn't bothering them then it's best to just let their body get on with it.

perma, as long as she's happy, eating, drinking etc then I would wait until tomorrow. I am generally a 3 day rule person too but if they are ok in themselves then I let it go a little longer. See what she's like again tomorrow as long as she doesn't seem to get any worse in the meantime.

She's just been playing on the pc and is now watching tv, she's had some cucumber but doesn't want anything else, says her mouth is sore (she has very heavy breath too). I think I'll wait this if she dips again tonight I'll ring the docs. She has a runny nose and a rotten cough so I guess just has a cold virus?

bumbley is completely right. Treat the child not the number on the thermometer (except with babies, obviously different rules). You do not need to artificially lower a temperature if the child is not in any pain or discomfort. A fever is the body's reaction to fever. I too would give it a day and then reassess. Any change in behaviour, breathing, rousability etc etc, act sooner.

DD had proper flu recently (she is 4) and spiked a fever for a week. I was convinced it had to be bacterial but it was full blown, couldn't even walk to the loo, ate not a thing for a week, slept for 20 out of each 24hrs flu. I saw a GP on day 3 and day 5. After 7 days the fever broke and it was like she'd never been ill. Then we caught it...

Could be her throat if she has bad breath and a sore mouth. Equally dd always has terrible breath with upper respiratory infections.

Don't worry too much about food. As long as she's drinking atm, just keep offering.

Ta for replies.....Update......she wasn't boiling last night, so it seemed the night temps had gone. Today she has an irritating, tickly cough and streaming nose but is eating a little bit more. Played more and did much less couch-dwelling. Fell asleep in car on sch run (3pm) still asleep now. She felt hot so took temp; 38.9. I guess this is normal when u have an a'noon sleep? I wonder if I should make docs appt purely because of the length of time this has gone in for but she doesn't seem that poorly?