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Children's health

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Original poster

Super high temperature

38 replies

HugAndRoll · 14/09/2013 19:52

Ds2 is 16 months old. We were in hospital overnight as he has a viral infection which made his temp shoot up to 40.3 and his heart rate to 202.

He is a medicine refuser which I explained to them and they used a paracetamol suppository to bring his temp down to 38, observed him overnight and his heart rate came down to 163 ish which is normal for a toddler fighting a virus and a temp (apparently).

He got discharged today and I asked for suppositories which the doctor was happy to do but pharmacy refused to release the meds. Was told to tip his head right back and "force calpol in".

Needless to say, several very sticky messes and calpol in eyes later we haven't been able to get a full dose in him and his temperature is back up to 40.

Sorry for epic post but I don't know what to do :(

OP posts:

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ThePFJ · 14/09/2013 19:56

Have you got a syringe for the calpol... ? Sometimes that can work.... but to be honest with you 40 is a dangerous temp for a child.... call the emergency doctor right now....If you can't medicate and his temp is THAT high he needs to be in hospital. Work out a way to get the calpol in later.... you haven't got time for strategies.

The doctor will know what to do. Better safe that sorry. Good Luck xxxxxxx and hugs xxxxx

alwaysneedaholiday · 14/09/2013 19:57

Have you tried putting it into his favourite food?

What about a syringe?

I think I would be tempted to take him back in, especially as the Dr prescribed the suppositories. They tend to get hotter and hotter at night, so I would act now.

Hope he gets better soon.

Sirzy · 14/09/2013 19:58

Does she have a dummy? If so try to put it down the side of the dummy when she has it in.

were you given a phone number for the ward? I would phone them for advice.

AnitaBlake · 14/09/2013 19:58

Take him back to hospital and report the pharmacy. Pharmacists generally have no prescribing qualifications and so shouldn't be refusing you the meds without at least consulting the prescriber.

ThePFJ · 14/09/2013 19:59

always is right - they do get hotter and hotter at night.

MrsSpencerReid · 14/09/2013 20:00

I can't believe the pharmacy did that :-( have you tired ibuprofen? Much smaller volume needed, I'd ring the ward back and ask if they can suggest where you get suppositories from or try different pharmacies although none of that is what you want to be doing with a poorly little one sending get well thoughts

acebaby · 14/09/2013 20:02

I would be concerned about the pharmacy not releasing the prescribed medication. There may be all sorts of reason that oral medication is not appropriate, and this is surely the doctor's decision (?)

Another thing you could try is to spray him with lukewarm water, while sitting him in front of a fan. OOH did this with DS1 when he had a temp of 41, and it was very effective. PP is right though - if you can't get his temp down, you need to take him back to OOH at the very least. Good luck.

Original poster

HugAndRoll · 14/09/2013 20:05

Oh my god Dh is a genius. Ds will finally eat yogurt so strawberry calbrufen is in strawberry yogurt. Will keep you posted and if that doesn't bring it down I will ring the ward for sure.

I'm cross with the pharmacy too as everyone agreed it would be better for him to have suppositories.

OP posts:

acebaby · 14/09/2013 20:11

Another tip is to get the 6+ calpol and halve the dose, so that there is less to get in.

Well done your DH!

ThePFJ · 14/09/2013 20:12

acebaby I like your tips.
Thank you!! xxx

Original poster

HugAndRoll · 14/09/2013 20:14

I do too! Thank you.

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FannyFifer · 14/09/2013 20:15

I get the paracetamol supps in boots, make a complaint re pharmacy, that's shocking.

The suppositories are great. No idea why people in UK are so adverse to using them.

Hope wee yin feeling better soon.

DameDeepRedBetty · 14/09/2013 20:15

Hope temperature has gone down a bit now, for MrHugAndRoll here!

CreatureRetorts · 14/09/2013 20:16

Please complain about the pharmacy! Not on!!!!

acebaby · 14/09/2013 20:36

thanks - can you tell that both of mine got temps of 40 every time they got a mild bug?

I hope your DS is feeling better soon, and that you have a relatively peaceful night now that you have some calprofen in him.

Original poster

HugAndRoll · 14/09/2013 21:01

Thank you. Took temp 35 mins after and it was still 40 but he seems to have perked up a bit now though so ill check it again in a bit.

OP posts:

Original poster

HugAndRoll · 14/09/2013 21:02

It was the hospital pharmacy so prob can't complain about them.

OP posts:

DameDeepRedBetty · 14/09/2013 21:14

Why can't you complain about a hospital pharmacy?

I'll be very happy to help write an icily polite letter of complaint to the Board of Trustees or whoever is the managing authority. I'm rather good at it , have had grovelling apologies from AA, Waitrose and National Trust, amongst others. Also several cash refunds although not relevant to your current situation.

How they seem is as important as actual temperature, so sounds like the calbrufen is doing the trick. Hope you will find time to update when you next check it. xxx

Original poster

HugAndRoll · 14/09/2013 21:54

It's now 38.5, I bloody love calbrufen. I also forgive my dh for being a bit of a twunt earlier in complaining about being in hospital because he was tired 10 mins after he walked through the door late morning when waiting for discharge to be completed when I'd been in all night with ds for getting said calbrufen in him. longest sentence ever

OP posts:

DameDeepRedBetty · 14/09/2013 21:59

tywysogesgymraeg · 14/09/2013 22:02

Are you bathing him in cool water? Cool flannel on chest and forehead etc?

pooka · 14/09/2013 22:09

BEst not to bathe in cool water - can have adverse/opposite effect effect by prompting shivering, which increases temperature.

Best just to remove layers of clothing, offer plenty of cool drinks, and treat with paracetomol or ibuprofen.

Hope the temp stays down - and it's ridiculous that the pharmacy wouldn't prescribe suppositories.

Original poster

HugAndRoll · 14/09/2013 22:10

He's asleep at the moment but yes we have. The hospital were happy with him as long as his temp is 38 or below because he is ill so it won't just go. In just relieved its not 40 still.

OP posts:

tribpot · 14/09/2013 22:12

I can't understand why the hospital pharmacy didn't clarify the instruction with the prescriber, given they were all under the same bloody roof. That is simply not on. If nothing else, I would raise it with Patient Opinion.

tb73 · 14/09/2013 22:21

Fan therapy really does help bring down temperatures; simply plug in an electric fan and direct it at your little one. No fan? Open the windows and get your coat on. Simple yet really effective.

Hope that helps.

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