3 year old, high fever, no other symptoms

[Harryno]

Hi all,

My 3 year old has had a really high temp for two days now, it comes down with Calpol but at end of calpol 4 hour cycle it’s up to 39.9 Ish. They are ‘well in themselves’ just slightly lethargic when fever is running hot.

But no other symptoms, no sore throat, ear, upset tummy, drinking and weeing normally But a little off food etc etc.

Has anyone had this before with their child? I’ve sent off for a Corona test as they are at nursery, and I’ve heard chicken pox can do this but no one seems to have had an actual experience before.

Any thoughts/experiences of this please let me know!

I have to say the twice this has happened to us it’s been a UTI. She gets recurrent tonsilitis so at the first sign of a high temp I keep an eye on her tonsils for white spots/puss etc. A couple of times that hasn’t happened and the fever has remained crazy high and she has deteriorated, both times it’s been a UTI despite there not really being any obvious signs. She never complained of it hurting or stinging but we realised her wee stank 🤮 got a sample for the GP and it was very dark and cloudy. They tested it and found it was an infection. Both times it took till day 4-5 of the fever being that high before she became really poorly and miserable so we are more on our guard with it now.
If yours doesn’t pick up it might be worth asking the GP to check, just to be on the safe side?
Good luck, let us know how you go. I know how worrying it is when they are that hot and you just can’t figure out why xx

If tomorrow is Day 3, I'd be calling the GP in the morning for a review...

Ah thanks both, yes a call to the Dr is on my list for tomorrow, thanks for the heads up about UTIs I will ask for that to be tested/take in a urine sample.

When I first spoke to them (Drs) they were mainly concerned about possible Corona, and results for that won’t be back till Saturday at least I’d say. Will push again, doesn’t seem like what I’ve read re Corona with just a high temp. Will let you know how I get on!

Can you not go to a testing unit? Results will be back in 12-24hrs then at least you can rule out (or in) COVID.

Just keep pushing fluids don't worry about her eating and regular calpol etc

Can you not go to a testing unit? Results will be back in 12-24hrs then at least you can rule out (or in) COVID.

Just keep pushing fluids don't worry about her eating and regular calpol etc

Thanks Brambles, we live in London, no car, and have been told by doc to do NHS mail/swab/courier test...

Many liquids pushed and are being taken in, hoping it breaks/turns into something obvious tomorrow!

Hope it all works out OP, good you're going to the gp tomorrow. We were always told over 38 to make an appointment (non covid times)

Yes that’s a very high temp with no obvious cause. My GP is always happy to see LO in that situation - even in light of Covid. They always do a phone review first and if I can identify what it is (ie tonsilitis!) they prescribe over the phone but in a situation such as this they’ve happily seen her. For what it’s worth, both times she was really ill with it (by day 4-5) they hadn’t thought to test her wee and sent her to paediatrics at the hospital. Now if she has anything along these lines we just insist her wee is tested!
Apologies if I’m leading you down the wrong path. There’s every chance it is a virus (isn’t it always?!) and not a UTI but I just wanted to mention it as it has always been overlooked and dismissed in our experience and ruling it in or out at an early stage could have ruled out a lot of upset and hassle!
How is LO today? Let us know how the GP goes xxx

Thanks @Hartleyhare1206, no thank you so much, the UTI thing is a good line of enquiry. But after hitting 40.7 at 2am (which I know might be skewed with sleeping), another dose of Calpol, they are now 37deg - so first time in 2 days with under 38... will wait a couple of hours for the calpol to completely wear off, and keep rechecking just in case, but they seem completely fine! Perhaps a little bit throaty which I’m monitoring like a hawk - as we too have had an episode of tonsillitis this year too.... will let you know how we get on.

Ouch, that’s high!
37 is much better! Long may that continue!
Good luck! Xx

So temp went back up to 38 at around 4pm but no higher, have not given Calpol again as they are not in any sort of obvious pain.

I did call the Dr (got a different one this time) who was not bothered one bit, they just reiterated that random fevers can occur over a period of 5 days and to call if its still happening after then.

I said that if it hit over 40 again I would be making an appointment tomorrow and bringing them in. Dr again didn’t seem particularly taken with my assertiveness but hey ho.

Will see what the night brings me...

At least the temp has been a bit lower today? Maybe you are over the worst? Preying to the sleep gods that you all get a decent night and no more high fevers! Xx

So temp back to normal - and now we have some spots starting to appear - so thinking its the Pox! (Of the chicken variety).

Super fun as I’m 39 weeks pregnant. Fairly (well my mother is) certain I’ve had it before so hopefully I’ll be okay, have called the Dr again...

Also feeling relieved that it’s something tangible!

Chicken pox can cause really high temperatures, when DS1 was coming down with it it's the only time he's had temps over 40 degrees.

We found piriton and poxclin mousse really helped.

@Harryno yes I can understand your relief of knowing what it is. Hope LO is handling it ok and not too unhappy (and is letting you sleep as much as possible before baby comes - awful timing!)