Toddler temp

[neeenor]

Just wondering if this is common

DS (22 months) woke with a temp of 38.5 this morning. With calpol he went down to 37.
He was playing as normal this morning but cat napped mid morning and then refused his normal sleep. By 14:00 he was grotty so I checked temp and he was 39.1 so I have him some more calpol. He's gone to sleep & still sleeping.
He's drinking but off his food. Doesn't appear to have any other symptoms.
He still feels really hot to the touch and calpol doesn't seem to have brought it down much.

He can't have ibuprofen so can't alternate. Should I worry / seek medical attention or not?

I wouldn't say he was particularly poorly, although a temp is rare for him, but it always normally reduces even a bit with calpol.

Before the covid patrol unleash, I've ordered him a home test, easier to manage here and I won't be going out & nor will he whilst he's poorly anyway.

I wouldn't worry yet, a fever is the body's way of killing whatever bug it is that is making him poorly.

Have a look at the nhs page on fevers in children it’s really helpful.

The NHS page says to call 111 if the temp doesn't go down with paracetamol but that seems a bit dramatic for a child that's been playing this morning.

I can't see what they'll do if a doctor sees him. I doubt he's poorly enough for bloods etc and he can't have the ibuprofen so I can't seem them actually doing anything but I feel negligent ignoring the advice.

I think the nhs website means if the temperature doesn’t respond to calpol. You said that the temperature went down after you gave the calpol this morning. It is expected that the temperature will go back up as the calpol wears off if they are poorly. It would be quite normal for that cycle to continue for a few days. I think it says if it continues for 5 days then you should seek attention. Obviously if there are other health concerns whilst they are I’ll you might seek help sooner. Hope they feel better soon.

So I gave calpol at 14:00 and again at 18:00 and neither dose reduced his temp at all, in fact it's gone up.

His early morning dose did take it down a bit but not since then.

@neeenor

So I gave calpol at 14:00 and again at 18:00 and neither dose reduced his temp at all, in fact it's gone up.

His early morning dose did take it down a bit but not since then.

When I can't get sons temp down with Calpol and ibrufen it's tonsillitis and ear infection.

Personally I would get ibuprofen. I have 3 kids. Temperature came down well with calpol with the girls, boy only worked with ibuprofen. You can give both together - do that.

Hope he is better soon x

Sorry just seen he can’t have ibuprofen.

Ring 111 for advice xx

He needs checked - tonsils, ears plus proper listen to lungs. DD (6) did the play hard then crash thing with bronchitis that needs antibiotics. Chances are he will perk up when he sees the ooh GP but definitely get him checked.

@neeenor if call 111 for advice if his temperature isn't dropping. They will recommend a PCR test I imagine but there should at least be an out of hours dr to see to check for ear, throat and chest infection etc

He's got a home test on order for PCR. I've done a LFT and was negative.

I've called 111 and a GP is calling within 6 hours so in the middle of the night I expect. I can't see them actually seeing him.

I don't think it's a chest infection as he doesn't have any symptoms. An ear infection or throat infection is probably more likely.

He's 39.8 now and stripped off & had paracetamol an hour ago.

Bit worried tbh but it took me well over an hour to get through to 111 so I doubt phoning back is going to help much.

I'd be surprised if you don't get an appointment after the call back at stupid o'clock. My toddler had a temperature that didn't respond to Calpol (or ibuprofen) at the end of the first lockdown and we got sent to the OOH GP hub for a check up. If you have a clean jar you could try to catch some urine as well if you can hold him with his nappy of and catch.

If you are worried do call back or just head to local children's

A&E 39.8 as a sustained temp can be a flag for a possible febrile convulsions - they can be a real risk for toddlers if it doesn't come lower.

If there is no obvious sign for infection that is also a concern. But your instinct is the biggest thing to go on -

Do call back or head in - 22 months & hours of temp with rest bite can be a problem.

Some useful advise here at this link & photo to see if red, amber or green flag as whole picture -

kingstonhospital.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/A0088-Fever-high-temperature-in-children.pdf

Just to let you know that Hand Foot and Mouth is doing the rounds and my dc all started with a, raging temp out of nowhere. Off food as well. Keep an eye out for spots in mouth /throat, in hands and feet, although they can appear anywhere really.

@neeenor just another thought. My doctor surgery, if you call out of hours, used to have a number to call for the out of hours doctor. Not sure if this has been superseded by 111 but might be worth trying

If a temperature is rising regardless of calpol I’d hope you will get some quick assistance from 111 as that can be a sign of an acute infection. I hope the last hour has show some improvement after your last dose 🤞

Doctors message just says 111 but was worth a try - thanks.

He’s gone to sleep so I’ve taken him to my bed so I can lie with him & keep an eye.

I hadn’t considered hand foot & mouth but that is a good suggestion thank you. When he wakes up I’ll look in his mouth, I’ve not noticed but haven’t looked either.

His cousin did have chicken pox but that was over 3 weeks ago now and i think it’s normally within 14 days? They weren’t together when they had spots as they’re both child minded together but she got a slight temp for around 48 hours before spots and thus was collected immediately and didn’t return.

I don’t think he’s poorly enough for A&E. I think he needs to see a DR but I don’t think emergency department on a Saturday night is appropriate at the moment.

I hope the GP calls soon and will see him. Thank you for all the helpful advice.

How are things today?

@windowstothesoul - very kind of you to check in, thanks!

so the OOH GP phoned at 23:10! He basically worked out how much paracetamol DS could have based on weight rather than the age guide on the bottle and said DS can actually have 7ml (instead of 5) and said this should be given as I can't alternate it with ibuprofen.

Gave him 7ml at midnight and his temp finally shifted (well down to 37.9 from 39.9. DS managed to get some sleep.

I'm left to decide if he needs to be seen during the day today and need to call 111 back for an in person appointment or if he can wait to be seen next week now his temp is controlled.

I'm minded to think we should ride it out a few days to see if he gets over it. This winter is going to be hell with bugs and I'd rather he wasn't pumped full of antibiotics unless absolutely needed.

I'm none the wiser to what is actually wrong with him though.

It is so hard isn't it - hope today has been better -