How long can you keep alternating calpol/nurofen for?

[LonelyLinda]

My child has had a high temp 39+ since Friday, so I have been alternating calpol and ibuprofen.

They have also seen a dr and are on antibiotics.

The dr said to keep giving the calpol/ibuprofen until the temp goes back to normal but how long can you keep giving this for, the continual paracetamol? I should have asked the gp this but it has only just occurred to me.

until the temperature goes back to normal as advised by the doctor. If it persists over the next few days though I would go back to the doctor

Thank you I think I had a moment of madness panic!

I didn't think this was recommended anymore...alternating. think the guidelines state not to alternate.

My GP said it was fine to do this recently. Depends which GP you speak to it seems.

yes...they don't do what the guidelines say often.

The guidelines say now to leave the temperature to do it's job and only to give calpol or nurofen if they're irritable or in pain.

I asked my Dr this exact question about a year ago.

The answer was alternate calpol and ibuprofen for 5 days max. Get another GP appointment if temp won't stay below 38 degrees after 5 days.

In theory as long as you are not exceeding the max daily doses you can do this indefinitely. The concern is though that if the temp fails to settle after a few days that it might not be 'just a virus' and assessment is needed to exclude a bacterial infection that might need antibiotics.

the OP's child has already got antibiotics.

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2569.aspx?CategoryID=73 - this says you aren't supposed to give them at the exact same time. It does say you can alternate them if the child remains distressed several hours after the dose of the first medicine but it is too early to give it again so you give the other medicine.

we don't treat a fever. I think it is best to leave it to do its thing.

Those who don't treat fevers - does if depend how high? My dd's are prone to high temps, wouldn't really consider 38 a fever for them but on occasion with bad viruses or infections they've had 40 and nearly 41, surely in that case it's imperative to bring it down?

www.theportlandhospital.com/mobile/blog/ahh-choo-does-your-child-have-a-cold-cough-or-fever-should-you-give-paracetamol-ibuprofen-or-both/

Here's a good blog about how to treat a temperature in children.

I look at how she is...often runs 40 with anything so we are used to it. as long as she is responsive and drinking with wet nappies I don't bring it down. I have given belladonna a couple of times when it has looked like she isn't coping well and it has come straight down but I choose not to surpress with anything often.