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Children's health

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Original poster

12 week old with temp of 39.3

33 replies

NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 07:57

Hello - both DH and I have had a horrible cold/virus. Chesty, dizzy, achy, snotty. DS2 now seems to have it. He is 12 weeks old. He had a temp of 39.3 at 2am so gave calpol and he breastfed. At 6am when he next woke he had temp of 39 and had another big breastfeed and some baby nurofen. His temp is now 38.7. He is sleeping but not very happy.

At 3 weeks old he had an ear infection and burst eardrum so I'm keeping an eye on that.

I just don't know what to do. I'm not in the UK and so if I want to see a doctor today I have to take him in taxi (with no car seat) to A&E. DH is away with work tomorrow so if toddler DS1 gets it and is off nursery tomorrow then I can't drag him to A&E or to doctor on public transport with us.

Not sure what to do......I'm guessing just monitor temperature and see what he is like tomorrow?????

OP posts:
IcouldstillbeJoseph · 14/03/2013 08:04

Trust your instincts but I would suggest that a temp that high for one so young should be looked at.

Original poster
NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 08:06

Temp now 37.6.....

OP posts:
ScottyDoc · 14/03/2013 08:09

Keep a very, and I mean very close eye on him in terms of the temp. It's rather high and if he becomes drowsy or unresponsive at all, take him in immediately. What's he like regarding his milk at the moment? And what's his breathing like?

Original poster
NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 08:10

Breathing fine and had two big breastfeeds since temp kicked in. And a poo and 2 wet nappies.

OP posts:
ScottyDoc · 14/03/2013 08:18

Brilliant he is having wet nappies and a bowel movement. Keep him in his vest only for now and keep monitoring his temp. Watch his fontanelle and also his general eating/toilet habits, but like I said if he starts to become drowsy or unresponsive, take him straight to hospital. Trust any instincts you have. He will recover with regular fluid intake and plenty of sleep. He is mostly still fragile from the ear infection anyway and it could be irritated. Snuggle up with him and open window if possible. Main thing is you get the temp down and he rests completely.

Original poster
NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 08:24

Thank you so much for advice. I have, by some miracle, managed to get doc appt for this afternoon as I'm really not happy with him.

OP posts:
ScottyDoc · 14/03/2013 08:29

Really glad to hear that :) try not to fret too much, like I said, the fact he's just had an ear infection makes him particularly delicate but with plenty of fluids and complete rest, he will recover just fine I'm sure. All these things, as scary as they are for parents, are actually beneficial for the baby's immune system, provided the care at the time of the illness is sufficient. Be aware that towards the evening, his temp might rise again, so just be vigilant. Let me know how he gets on :)

Sirzy · 14/03/2013 08:49

Glad you have a GP appointment but if you are worried before then then don't hesitate to take him to A and E to get checked out

Original poster
NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 09:34

I'm having to take him in a taxi with no car seat so am just hoping I've made the right decision....eek!

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 14/03/2013 09:36

Babies with a temperature need to be looked at by a medical professional. Even if it turns out to be fine, taking him in is the right decision.

dikkertjedap · 14/03/2013 13:39

Glad you managed to get an appointment.

As Noblegiraffe already said, babies with a temperature need to be checked out. Especially such a high temperature in such a small child.

The younger the child, the quicker he can deteriorate, hence the need to be EXTRA vigilant even if hugely inconvenient and having to take the toddler as well.

Hope he gets better soon.

Original poster
NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 14:52

So doctor has taken nasal swab and bloods. Said its probably the virus that DH and I have. No other advice really Sad

He is coughing lots, nose is streaming and crying all the time. Doctor said to avoid baby ibruprofen as he is so young but Calpol just doesn't reduce his temperature Sad

He is crying when I try to breastfeed and is really unhappy. No idea how I'm going to cope when toddler DS1 catches it Sad

OP posts:
MNPin2013 · 14/03/2013 15:01

Are you able to suction his nose before a feed? I have had good results with a suction, saline drops, another suction then feed.

Original poster
NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 15:20

Yes but he has about 2 mouthfuls of breastmilk then starts screaming and pulls away Sad

Got to get him dressed now and in the pram so we can walk through the snow to get DS1 from nursery.

OP posts:
Original poster
NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 15:36

Bloody hell.....39.1. Just given nurofen on an empty tummy....Sad

OP posts:
narmada · 14/03/2013 16:14

Did he look in his ears, the GP? Or his throat? Sounds like ears or tonsillitis to me, what with the apparent swallowing issues. Poor wee mite. Glad you took him. Hot-foot it back if he gets any worse at all.

Original poster
NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 16:20

Ears were clear and throat red. Doctor just rang back - results are in (already!) and it is influenza type A apparently. No wonder I have felt so ill!

High fever for up to 5 days to be expected Sad

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 14/03/2013 16:33

If he is having trouble feeding then you need to be very careful he doesn't get dehydrated. Keep an eye on wet nappies, fontanelle etc. If he becomes very sleepy and unresponsive, hot foot it to A&E.

ShowOfHands · 14/03/2013 16:39

Oh the poor little thing.

It is v v important that a baby of that age is seen asap with a fever. Up to 3 months and over 38 requires immediate medical attention, between 3 and 6 months and over 39 needs immediate attention. Babies and temperatures are v different to toddlers and temperatures.

It's so hard when they're so tiny. DS was similarly unwell as a little baby and we had to keep a very close eye for the slightest change. He did deteriorate and when he did, it was quick. I really hope he's on the mend and quickly. Any concerns at all, straight in.

Original poster
NichyNoo · 14/03/2013 16:42

Thank you! The ibruprofen has worked miracles....he is still hot but is smiling and has fed. Not looking forward to when it wears off! Doctor said to expect temperatures of 39 or 40 that may last up to 5 days Sad

OP posts:
dikkertjedap · 14/03/2013 16:57

GP could prescribe antivirals against flu virus multiplying if given within 48 hours of onset of virus. You need to ask for it though, GPs won't offer them unprompted.

narmada · 14/03/2013 19:25

Oh poor little sausage. Ibuprofen is the business for flu symptoms.

Original poster
NichyNoo · 15/03/2013 08:40

Had a horrific night....he cried most of night but has managed to feed a bit. Calpol useless but luckily ibruprofen brings his temp down for a couple of hours. I've never seen a baby this ill in real life Sad

Will not be able to watch Comic Relief tonight...so lucky we are in Europe and have hospital nearby if we need it.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 15/03/2013 08:50

poor thing. Is he having plenty of wet nappies?

Skygirls · 15/03/2013 08:52

Hope little one feels better soon. Still keep close eye though, as same sort of thing with my 11 week old.
Was a Sunday and dc had a runny nose in the days previously, but then temp of 39.5 and didn't want to feed. Also couldn't really keep DC awake. Took to A&E and was admitted for 2 nights in hospital with Bronchiolitis.

Even if doc says high temp for 5 days, if he deteriorates at all, take straight to A&E In a taxi.... In one so young things can go downhill pretty quickly.