DD has woken very unwell. Advice please.

[Nomorecakes]

DD ages 7 has woken up 40C temp and a chesty cough. She was only a little off colour before bed last night.
She has the shakes, but is sipping water.
Can’t give brufen on an empty tummy as it makes her sick.
Watch and wait? Calpol hasn’t had enough time to work effectively yet. Given just 15 minutes ago.

That’s quite a high temperature bless her.

Good that she’s sipping water, take her temp again and if it hasn’t come down with calpol give 111 a ring.

I find temperatures are always higher first thing in the morning.
Does she usually run a high temp? I know my DD does; my DS can actually be more poorly with a much lower temp.
I would give hte Calpol an hour to work and see how she is then. Maybe try some food then so you can give ibuprofen then.
There are some nasty viruses going round at hte moment, but with the cough she could have an infection needing ABs. Has she had chest infections before?

7yo DS has been ill since Friday with a v high fever and hacking cough plus aches, tearful, exhausted. On Saturday and Sunday he slept near enough all day and needed to be carried to the toilet. Fever broke on Monday but he is still exhausted and has a cough. It is ripping through his school. One DC and two parents hospitalised, both diagnosed with Influenza A.

I never worry about the actual numbers on the thermometer though I was a little shocked by just how high his temp was on Saturday. I look at him and assess how he is.

She has never had a chest infection before which is why I’m a bit more worried about the cough. but has had bother with her tonsils, however they are not bad.
She has come down to 39 in one ear and 39.7 in the other.
I’ve just managed to get her to take a yogurt so I can give her some brufen now.

Try and get Neurofen into her, but give her a biscuit first. The sugar and carbs will help her. There are some awful illnesses around this year. My 2yo had a temperature of 40.3 on Monday, today 39.3. Lots of fluids, rehydration sachets and carby food (mine doesn't really want to eat). Keep an eye on the symptoms. Hope she feels better soon.

Hi OP

Has your daughter had a cold or anything? As a rule of thumb, if a high temp comes at the start of an illness it is most likely a virus (antibiotics won't help). If a high temp comes at the end of an illness (for example, if DD has been snotty, congested etc. for a few days already) it's more likely to be a bacterial infection (antibiotics may be needed).

My GP usually says to treat at home as long as child is responsive, managing to drink and temp coming down (at least a bit) with meds. If fever lasts more than 4 days he likes to check them over.

My DC often go over 40 when unwell, but if it's unusual for your DD, if temp doesn't come down at all with medicine or if you're worried about her I'm sure your GP would see her.

Hope she feels better soon x

Thank you.
She’s been fine but wanted to go to bed early last night and had a slight temp.
I’ve given neurofen so will give that an hour. She’s just having a sleep on the couch.

@BlackInk where are you getting that info from about fever at the start of an illness? Genuinely interested as it goes directly against recent antibiotic prescribing guidelines (Centor criteria etc)

Brufen has made her feel really sick. I helped her to the toilet and she went for a wee and it was really smelly. When she stands she said her head feels shaky and things are moving. Temp still 39.5

This is what my GP told me GrandmaSharksDentures ... but it could be wrong! They said bacterial ear, throat and chest infections etc. tend to be complications that can occur as a result or complication of a cold or similar virus. They said that if temperature goes high in a child that has already been unwell a few days it's more likely to be something that could need antibiotics?

My dd is the same since Monday. Yesterday she was in bed all day and calpol barely brought her temp down. She did eat a little throughout the day though and was taking sips of water/juice. She’s woken up a bit perky today. It’s a really horrible virus, I’m getting the same chesty cough and ds is also off school with high temp today.

Can you get her to do a urine sample and get it checked?

My DD is presenting the same as yours, also with shaking and saw doctor on Monday who said the shaking suggests water infection. I have been trying but failing to get a sample from my 2yo but she also has smelly wee.

I’ll try get a urine sample just in case. She’s just sicked up so that will be the brufen.
Now the thermometer has just packed in. I can always try for an avo appointment if I can’t get temp down.

I think we may have the same thing as your DD. It came on very suddenly. You may want to try to limit your exposure.

I would try to get a bit of toast or a plain biscuit before your next ibuprofen attempt. These foods will be easier on the tummy than dairy I would have thought.

DD and I had flu before Christmas. We both had the shakes.

Sorry if this is obvious but make sure you make a note of medication times and remember that although you're allowed paracetamol every 4 hours that's only to a max of four doses a day so you can't give it every 4 hours round the clock.

Keep well hydrated with water or very dilute juice.

Dose of calpol at half 12 managed to get the temp down but it is starting to creep back up and she is shivery again. Ready for another sleep on the couch:-(

How is she now?