Temp of 40.4 in 2yo. Should I worry?

[CPHB2021]

Called the GP and awaiting a call back. DD has been unwell for two days, no obvious sign of why, although she keeps touching her tummy today. Temp just taken was 40.4. Given her calpol and it's now 39.1 40 mins later. She's breathing very quickly and is very lethargic but there isn't any obvious reason for the fever. Should I be worried or just treat at home?

I'd get her seen asap, even if that means A&E. Breathing issues in little ones are taken very seriously. Good luck

I wouldn’t wait on the call back. Her breathing is laboured and she’s lethargic, that in my opinion warrants a trip to A and E

Call 111 at the minimum.

Yes agree, seen ASAP, don't hang around with those symptoms.

I had one for whom regularly hit temperatures over 40 and occasionally 41.
She would often appear less ill than my other two if they had temperatures of 38.5.

What the doctors told me was to go by how they're behaving rather than temperature.
Which means in your case I would be concerned as lethargic and breathing quickly are not good symptoms.

Oh heavens, I'd be high-tailing it to A&E. I'd worry about febrile seizures... among other things. Make sure you take her to your local paediatric A&E. Not every A&E will see small ones.

I’d call 111 as the calpol hasn’t been able to bring it down

I agree, she should definitely be seen by someone , if you haven't had the GP callback yet then A&E is a good option, I don't think anyone would think you were being inappropriate.

At the very least they will be able to advise you on doses of calpol and neurofen (or equivalent) that you could safely give depending on your little one's size, to keep her more comfortable until she gets better.

But I suspect they will not only examine her carefully but want to check urine and possibly blood tests to be sure.

Best wishes and hope she gets better soon!

Thanks all! I phoned the GP back again and asked to speak to someone immediately. They were great and we went straight over to be seen. She has tonsillitis. Antibiotics for 5 days and to continue with calpol etc to keep her temp down as much as we can.