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Children's health

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Original poster

DS has a high fever not sure what to do

27 replies

CrazyHmissesHerbie · 27/01/2014 16:24

DS5 rarely gets I'll but when he does he goes down hill very rapidly as he has a history of Bronchitis & Pneumonia .
He was burning up this morning but was still ok in himself so I gave him Calpol and he went to school (he wouldn't stay home) .
Just got home from school and he is burning up 38°C but he is shivering ferociously .
He has had Calpol & some fluids .

Is his temperature ok or is it too high ?
Do I need to take him to out of hours ?

OP posts:
Dumbledoresgirl · 27/01/2014 16:25

38C isn't that high. I mean, it is not normal, but it isn't worryingly high. I'd just keep an eye for now.

ShatnersBassoon · 27/01/2014 16:26

How old is he?

Original poster
CrazyHmissesHerbie · 27/01/2014 16:31

He is five

He has nodded off so I'll check his Temperature again in an hour .
He never sleeps which is probably why I'm so worried

OP posts:
PavlovtheCat · 27/01/2014 16:37

My children tend to run high fevers at around 39+ when they are poorly, but that is normal for them if they are sick. I now know what symptoms to look for as they follow a quite routine pattern and where I once upon a time panicked, I don't always ok i do a little bit panic as much at a high fever any more, although they don't get sick like that very often and it's normal for them. Therefore my instincts would say 38 is not a temperature I would give much thought to, even if that is after medicine (if it started at that I probably would not medicate but I stop panicking when their fever reduces to 38!)

However, 38 can be problematic for some children if they present with other symptoms. Are there any rashes? You say he is sleeping and doesn't normally, if you prod him, does he stir/grumble? Is he drinking liquids? Sleepiness is ok if he is just sleeping off a bug.

I would say keep an eye and monitor for other symptoms that cause concern especially in relation to his history of chest conditions.

Original poster
CrazyHmissesHerbie · 27/01/2014 16:49

He is very hot to touch and his ears and cheeks are twice as hot and bright red .
Just poked him and he roused for a second .

OP posts:
beautifulgirls · 27/01/2014 18:04

If you are worried then that is reason enough to call out of hours.

PavlovtheCat · 27/01/2014 18:15

Do you think the thermometer is accurate? Like previous poster said, calling OOH due to worry is ok. He is your DS and you know what is normal for him. Like I said, for me 39 would not necessarily result in call to OOH, but for others, it could, and should mean a call to them as I know my children and their common symptoms of a virus. (that doesn't mean I wouldn't call OOH for sure, just would depend on what else was going on, have done so before and have posted panicking before too!)

purpleminion · 27/01/2014 18:20

Did he say he had a pain anywhere/sore throat/tummy ache or anything at all?

Original poster
CrazyHmissesHerbie · 27/01/2014 18:26

Nope no tummy ache or anything .

Not sure on the Thermometer as its one of those forehead strip things I found at the back of a drawer Blush

OP posts:
purpleminion · 27/01/2014 18:30

Did you try the strip on anyone else?

I think they aren't very accurate but do the same kind of thing as putting your lips to forehead. I always know when mine have a temp without using the thermometer but I always check it to be sure.

Original poster
CrazyHmissesHerbie · 27/01/2014 18:34

Yeah I got the same reading

OP posts:
Sunny20 · 27/01/2014 18:43

My dd has a history of pneumonia on several occasions too & like your dis she goes down very quickly so I can totally sympathise with you, however if it's just a temperature I would just keep a close eye on him, giving him paracetamol every 4 hours and plenty of fluids. Just keep an eye on him and if anything changes or your still worried then take him to your out of hours dr. Hope he's feeling better soon

Original poster
CrazyHmissesHerbie · 27/01/2014 22:43

Thanks everybody he is back to his usual self now

OP posts:
Elderberri · 28/01/2014 12:04

Sending a child with. Fever to school. What if he has an infectious illness. Children who are I'll need to be at home.

Original poster
CrazyHmissesHerbie · 28/01/2014 12:36

He is not ill his temperature was 35°c this morning and he was eating & being his usual self .

OP posts:
Showy · 28/01/2014 12:41

Those forehead things aren't accurate at all. It's worth learning how to look at a child and not a thermometer too but in future if you rely on a thermometer, I'd get a decent one. It's so easy to panic when you see the numbers on a thermometer but you can have a child with a higher temp who is actually quite well within themselves and no pain or discomfort. A child with only a slight temp can similarly be very unwell indeed. In terms of giving paracetamol, you shouldn't medicate a fever alone. If pain or discomfort is seen then yes, but a fever in itself is a good thing. It's the body fighting off an infection.

I'm so pleased he's feeling better today. Hopefully just a mild virus.

Pooka · 28/01/2014 12:45

Definitely get a better thermometer!

35 is lowish. Get an ear thermometer and take temp when dc well in order that you have a rough baseline.

Mine used to be prone to 39/40/40+ temps when ill but as they have grown older, they are less susceptible. Though ds2 (4) tends to run on the low side - normal temp of around 35.8 and so for him, 38+ is hot.

Original poster
CrazyHmissesHerbie · 28/01/2014 12:49

I have bought an ear thermometer today its just last night I was stuck and because he was roasting to touch the head one was my only choice as if he was any hotter then i would of gone to A&E with him because of his history

OP posts:
Showy · 28/01/2014 12:52

My ds has had bronchitis and pneumonia. I wouldn't take him to A&E with a fever. I'd check he was comfortable, give anti-pyretics if he was in pain or uncomfortable and seek help if he had symptoms needing medical attention (chesty cough, rash, unresponsiveness, foul smelling breath, ear pulling, screaming, lethargy, very high and unusual fever etc). A fever on its own with no other symptoms does not warrant A&E.

anywinewilldo · 28/01/2014 13:02

You sent him to school knowing he was unwell and had a fever (on 27th). How selfish/reckless of you.

Original poster
CrazyHmissesHerbie · 28/01/2014 17:31

Any If you actually read what I have wrote properly then you would know I did not send him to school ill as he was not Ill just had a raised temperature

OP posts:
BeaWheesht · 28/01/2014 19:05

You said he was 'burning up'. You shouldn't have sent it, it was very selfish I'm afraid.

candycoatedwaterdrops · 28/01/2014 19:30

I can see why people are questioning you. You posted, worried about him, asking if he needed OOH but sent him to school - quite contradictory.

brettgirl2 · 28/01/2014 20:10

So if a child had a bit of a temp that came down with calpol you would keep them off school, I mean really in the real world? Before people start bleating about germs spreading it would make more difference if kids wash their hands and they cleaned the schools properly. d&v yes I'm careful but people on here get unrealistically ott.

Glad he's better op I think temps peak in the evening.

BeaWheesht · 28/01/2014 23:11

Yes I'd keep a child with a fever off school