Temp of 39+ for 2 days

[ShiftyFades]

Into day 3 of a very hot DS. He's indicating some pain in stomach area. He was like this recently and had tonsillitis.

He's pretty well in himself (I'm exhausted). He's 4 yo

How many days should I wait before taking to GP? 5?

Paracetamol bring it down, eventually... And it's soon back up.

I usually think 3 unless they are otherwise unwell - I would take them sooner if that was the case. As long as they are well in themselves and drinking plenty etc I try not to worry and remember that the fever is actually a good thing and is helping then fight off the nasties. (Hard, I know!) :)

Will give him a couple of days. He's not eating but is drinking.
He's had me up since 4

Dd2 used to get like this. She needed full dose of calpol and ibroprofin for three days to bring it under 40. She never had a temperature between 38 and 40, it was either lower or higher. If he's drinking and well in himself I wouldn't take him to GP.

Mine both go off their food when they're sick. They make up for it afterwards though! :)

Fwiw alternating medication isn't recommended and isn't usually necessary. The fever is actually a good thing and you should just let their bodies get on with it unless they are uncomfortable. Easier said than done I know!

Should say - isn't usually recommended. Some doctors do advise it in certain circumstances but it's not supposed to be standard practice!

Opinions differ whether to alternate or not. The latest research shows that

1. Ibuprofen is much more effective in bringing temperature dwn than paracetamol
2. Alternating ibuprofen and paracetamol is slightly more effective than ibuprofen on its own.

It is all about balance, follow your own instincts. Fever may be useful but it is not for nothing that doctors like to control fever. In hospital doctors will insist on medicating a fever above 39 degrees in my experience.

Key is that he drinks well and wees well. If there are no other symptoms I would probably wait for three days before contacting GP unless he worsens or you suspect appendicitis (unlikely as it tends to be excruciatingly painful).

Hope he gets beeter soon.

I would be concerned about the stomach pain. Have you checked for appendicitis?

I would get his urine tested as it could be a urine infection. These can only be treated with antibiotics and don't go away on their own. Untreated UTIs can cause serious kidney damage, so if your son is still unwell tomorrow I would ask for an emergency appointment and say that you suspect a urine infection. Make sure you take a urine sample with you.

I hope he feels better soon.

Thank you so much for all the advice, sorry I haven't been back before now, I've only just sat down

He's been up and down at nursery, playing well and then shattered, repeated all day.

He hasn't eaten much at all but is still drinking and weeing.

He hasn't complained of any more pain, I will ask him again tomorrow & try and get a sample if he says it hurts.

I don't think it's his appendix, I'd expect more pain.

I am finding neurofen much more effective, but his temp (when untreated) is staying above 39

He's asleep now, I will be too shortly.
Thank you

Shifty, glad he's up and about and drinking at least. Honestly, don't go by the thermometer, go by him. Some children can be really really poorly and have a temp under 39 - it really doesn't mean anything.

SewingBee, some doctors do but many are now following the NICE guidelines which say not to treat the fever unless it is causing discomfort. I do know a few doctors who have said that quite often they are just recommending keeping the temperature down to reassure the parents and give then something to do!

If the pain is inbetween his pubic bone and tummy button or his right hand side then don't rule out a problem with the appendix. My daughter was moaning about tummy pains, and as she regularly had tummy upsets/sickness I wasn't worried, but as it started getting worse she sicked up green gel. I actually put a thermometer on the insides of her legs, on the left it was normal, on the right it shot up - appreciate note all may have this happen, but it's worth monitoring. She had to have her appendix out under an emergency.

Even if you can rule out an apprendicitis, then if he still have a temperature on day 3 then I think I'd at least have a word with the doctor.

Oh your poor daughter, must have been awful

Good news, his temperature is on it's way down finally. He still woke at 5am but he's definitely perking up.

Thank you for keeping me calm / advising what to look out for