Wwyd? Babys temperature still high even after meds

[Catsu]

dd is 10 months, had a temp since yesterday morning. Very bad night. Been giving calpol and ibuprofen alternately. She has v high temp towards when next med is due but moderate temp even when dosed up still.
Took to dr this morning and ears, throat, chest all fine.
Has got hotter since then.
Wwyd? Can a dr do anything if I take her back seeing as she was already checked over this morning?
Have to travel on Friday for quite a way by car and really want to help her get better by then!!

It depends on what you class as a 'high' and 'moderate' temp tbh...

Yes to what soozywoozy said. I'd get them to dip test a urine sample but its probably just a virus.

Cool flannels, suck ice lollies and put a fan on in her room. DD used to spike temps at this age and this is what i did along with the meds. Not much more a Dr can say if they have checked however she may be brewing something that wasn't picked up so go back if in doubt.

She is 39.6 now and has to wait another half hour before can have next meds.
Hasn't gone below 38.5 today

Hmmm that is pretty high. How long since she had meds.

Think I'd be tempted to call NHS.

She last had calpol at 3pm, ibuprofen at 4pm
Can't have more calpol till 7pm
Might call nhs direct, thanks

Nurofen should last 4-6 hrs so yes I'd call iiwy

Also spacing them out is a good idea or you will reach the limit of doses before 24 hrs passes iyswim. 3 hourly gaps are what I usually do.

You aren't staggering the meds enough.

Calpol lasts for 4 -6 hours, ibuprofen lasts for nearer to 6 hours... so you don't want to give ibuprofen until at least 2 - 2.5 hours after the calpol.

Is she drinking enough? Really push fluids - lots of water, if she won't take it then offer her ice cubes to suck on, ice lollies, see if she'll drink through a straw (sometimes the novelty of a straw encourages them to drink more).

Give the next dose of meds when due, and call out of hours doctors if it doesn't go down. Do not call NHS Direct as they will refer you to out of hours, effectively delaying your call back time from them.

The high temperature is a physiological response to illness and is what kills off the virus etc. Although it is distressing for parents and can make the child seem unwell, it is doing a job.... however, if the child isn't drinking, has dry nappies for 4+ hours, temp isn't going down with meds, has anything like a fit or a convulsion, changes or worsens between being seen by a GP / Nurse Practitioner then you should always seek further advice.

We can't call ooh here, only NHS so use them if that's your situation too.

Also, imo yes you should stagger the meds more as I mentioned above but given that calpol AND nurofen aren't working I'd ask for advice.

I gave the last nurofen so close after the calpol as she was still very hot and the calpol didn't seem to have had much effect on it's own
Have just given her tepid bath abd temp down to 38.4 so much beter
Also called nhs direct and got put straight through to a nurse, going to monitor for another 4 hours and then to call bsck if any worse or temp goes higher than 39
Thanks!

Yep that sounds sensible.

A high temperature is a normal response to infection.
You may never get to the bottom of the origin of that infection.
If its viral..theres nothing to be done anyway, other what you are doing which is the right thing.

I am of the opinion that you should treat the uncomfortable symptoms of a high temperature, but let the body do what it is designed to do.

I have never owned a thermometer, it will tell me what i already know..the child is hot, doesnt change what i would do.

As long as there is no history of convulsions, just continue with your great care.

Ice pops, cool flannels, loads of fluids and keep an eye on nappies, they need to be wet. Urine may be stronger and darker, but as long as you push fluids it will help.

Hopefully she should pick up quickly. hth x

The thing is about not using a thermometer I couldn't tell the difference by touch between a temp of 41 and 39 for example and my child pretty much keeps going no matter what. A non responsive extremely high fever was what alerted me to him being seriously ill.

Ps OP I don't think your baby is seriously ill I just worded that badly!

Temp that high I'd do a&e

eastendywendy i wouldnt advocate anyone else doesnt use a thermometer, they can be very useful and can be reassuring to folk.
Im HCP and a bit more relaxed i suppose about childrens illnes. Its ok for me and mine.
Not poo pooing thermometers, sorry if thats how it came across. x

I agree with nosleep and east. I personally need the reassurance of a thermometer, even though we have no history of convulsions etc.

There was a recent research paper published by a well established consultant paediatrician who argued that by medicating a "high" temp, we were stalling the process of the normal response to infection and therefore prolonging the course of the illness. He even suggested that paracetamol should not be administered until the temp hit 40! Not something I am comfortable with, either professionally or as a mum... however, the rationale behind it is correct.

We are lucky where we are to have a brilliant OOH service. Hopefully, once the new NHS Services for out of hours provision are rolled out, all of the UK will have the same :)

Have given her calpol about 45 mins ago now.
Temp is back up to 39.2 already (it came down a little after the bath)
Shall I give the ibuprofen in 10 mins or not?

Sorry to worry you but if calpol only got temp to 39.2 I'd seek medical help. That is still very high in a young baby.

I agree, time to get medical help now.

I would ring Gp OOH if my child had a temp of 39.2 after meds, and I hardly ever take my DCs to the doctor. Also an HCP.

Fevers do tend to be worse in the evening though too. It may still be 'just' a virus but if treatment isn't helping another review is perfectly justified.

Agree to try to space out the ibuprofen/paracetamol a bit more, give one or the other about every three hours or so. No problem having both at once, but when they both are wearing off at once and you are in a gap where you can't give anything... Hope she perks up soon.

Nhs said to call back if temp went oiver 39 so I'd do that.

Thsnks, have called ooh. They want to see her so am taking her there now

Do you have Out of Hours GP or just NHS Direct?