Toddler DS - temp is not coming down with Calpol

[Motherland101]

Took DS to see GP today with a temp slightly over 39. It was 38.6 when we arrived, GP examined him and said both his ears are red so suspects an infection. He was given antibiotics as he's been poorly on and off for a few weeks.

Since being home, his temperature is not really shifted, it's still around 38.6 after another dose of Calpol. I can't remember the GP saying anything re the fever not coming down but looking at the NHS website, it says call 111 if not responding to paracetamol. Is this what I should do? Or is he ok as long as it's not going up more and staying around this mark? I mean if the GP was still there I'd phone them without a doubt but I'm aware I might sound a bit anxious atm 😞

He has had temps before but always manageable with Calpol so I am just a bit unsure about what to do with this one. Wish I asked the GP but didn't think this would happen :(

Advice would be appreciated, thank you!

If calpol isn't reducing the temperature have you tried ibuprofen instead?

Have you tried giving ibuprofen? You can alternate and I believe ibuprofen is better and longer lasting to bring down fevers.

Have you tried ibuprofen? My kids have had temperatures that have not responded to paracetamol but neurogenic managed it quite well.

I do hope your DS feels better soon.

I think it's ok as you have the antibiotics now so that should start to reduce it within the next couple of days.

You can always call 111 for advice

You can call 111 for advice, that is what they are there for.

Ibuprofen works better for my toddler with temperatures.
We had this situation and 111 sent her to a&e. They have her ibuprofen and she improved in an hour. Temperature was back to normal and no longer lying listlessly on my chest, but perked up and looking around.

Thank you everyone, it's up to 39.3 now, just given him another dose of Calpol and sent DH to get some ibuprofen although it says not to combine unless advised by doctor. I assume it's definitely safe, that's what they gave him when we were at A&E last month with bronchiolitis.

111 is always there if you're unsure, I've rang them before about a temp not going down in my then toddler DC and they did have her seen and monitored for a bit. Try ibuprofen if you have any and keep an eye on the temp.

Nhs days don't give them at exactly the same time but if one isn't working you can try the other one

Cross posted, if it's gone up further (rather than down) I would definitely call 111 for advice.

Also make sure he's dressed appropriately for his temperature, so he doesn't overheat from the clothing

For high temperature

If you've given your child paracetamol and they still have a high temperature after 1 hour, you could try giving them ibuprofen.

If this helps bring down their temperature, carry on giving them ibuprofen instead of paracetamol. Follow the instructions that come with the medicine.

Do not alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat a high temperature without advice from a doctor or nurse.

I think you’re fine to combine calpol and nurofen, the advice is there because children unwell enough to need both may well need to be seen. The GP has found and treated the source of the infection, and so as long as he improves in the next day or two all will be well. His temp will be sky high because the antibiotics haven’t had time to work.

Thanks again everyone, I'm on hold for 111 whilst DH gone to the shop.

what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell/fever-high-temperature

Really helpful NHS website and when to be worried/seek help.

Regarding calpol and ibuprofen - “ To make your child more comfortable, you may want to lower their temperature using paracetamol (calpol) and/or ibuprofen. Use one and if your child has not improved 2-3 hours later you may want to try giving the other medicine. ”

How is your child in themselves? If they're generally ok I'd say there's a need to monitor but not to worry.

111 are probably unnecessary- your dc already has treatment for what a GP thinks is the root cause of the problem. So unless there's a deterioration in the general health of your child then I wouldn't bother.

@Flamingolingo

I think you’re fine to combine calpol and nurofen, the advice is there because children unwell enough to need both may well need to be seen. The GP has found and treated the source of the infection, and so as long as he improves in the next day or two all will be well. His temp will be sky high because the antibiotics haven’t had time to work.

That was exactly my thought re antibiotics and having already seen the GP but so worried about him going to bed with a high temp and God forbid worsening overnight. Hard to judge if im overreacting or not as I do tend to get anxious when he is unwell.

He's just lying on my shoulder now bless him and it does make me worry. He was sort of fine this afternoon with the 38.5, still playing a bit and being a chatter box. Im sure he is tired now too but it does worry me.

Still on hold...

I've had to use Calpol and child Ibuprofen for mine when they've had a high fever.

How old is your DS? The advice is different if under 12 months.

You're fine to give ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time/alternate them. I'm a healthcare professional in paediatrics and give them both all the time.

See what 111 say. Sometimes medicine doesn't bring temperatures down and it's actually the bodies way of fighting infection. Strip him down, but don't give him a cold bath or anything and if you put a fan on make sure he's got a sheet around him so he doesn't shiver.

Keep him well hydrated and hopefully it'll come down soon. Just keep a close eye on overnight.

He is nearly 22m old.

Got through to 111, we will have an out of hours GP calling back within a couple of hours and they told me to give ibuprofen in an hour.

To be honest, I feel like I'll be waistline time with this call back as we have seen the GP, I just wanted to know what to do regarding high fever and if I should take him to A&E etc. Also aware that his antibiotics won't be kicking in just yet so may be overreacting. Sometimes it's so hard to know what to do...

Thank you so much for all your helpful comments. DH is home with Ibuprofen so will be trying that soon.

Both of mine are prone to tonsillitis and generally on that first day waiting for the abx to kick in we get temps as high as 40, and it takes both drugs to tackle that. Temp is usually highest in the early afternoon.

Sorry early evening

Ibuprofen did the trick! Skin is no longer burning and he is off my shoulder, dancing along to Baby Shark. Phew... OOO GP called too, she said they don't like the temperature to go over 39 for toddlers his age so definitely did the right thing to call for advice. It was 38.8 when I spoke to her (so already started to come down from the 39.3) so she just said that if it's not coming down more or gets worse overnight, ring back. Also booked a PCR test just in case.

I mean....we have been ill since bloody September, we are paying for a nursery he is not actually attending 🤦🏼‍♀️😅 and already had to dip into next years' holiday allowance for repeated days off work. But that's another thread on its own!

Thank you all so much for the Ibuprofen advice, I'm so glad I asked!