Sore throat, very high temperature, very tired

[Neolara]

Today, my 15yo D's has had a very sore throat, a temperature which was up as high as 104 (40)this afternoon, currently 103.3 (39.6) and is feeling ridiculously tired. I know from MN some children often have temperatures as high, but none of us in the family have ever gone above 102 (38.9) . This is an extreme reading for our family thermometer.

I'm a bit rubbish about knowing what to do when the kids aren't well. Often I under-react. I've given him Calpol. He's taken a covid test (negative) and I've checked for rashes. If his temperature stays this high tomorrow, does he need to see a doctor?

Tonsillitis?

No expert either, but if calpol doesn't bring the temperature down I would be tempted to ring 111 for advice to be sure.

Does his temperature come down below about 38.5 after Calpol? (it takes about an hour to work with DD). If not, he definitely needs medical attention.

Nurofen can be a bit more effective with bringing temperatures down so that's worth a try but give it after food.

If he's overly lethargic once he's awake I'd want him checked over sooner rather than later.

And if at 15 yo he seems much iller than ever before that would also suggest seeing a GP would be a good idea.

Calpol never seems to bring my children’s temp down but liquid ibuprofen (neurofen do one for kids) does so perhaps try that?

Surely a 15 Yr old should be on adult strength tablets not calpol?! Then you can alternate paracetamol and ibruphren to get on top of the temperature.

Call 111. I'd do it now so hopefully you'll get a call in the morning

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. His temperature did go down with Calpol which is good. When I posted was about 6 hours or so since his last dose so it had worn off by this evening . I'll get the neurofen out as well to alternate. He doesn't really complain, so unless I ask him to take his temperature, it's hard to know quite how ill he is.

Has he had the right dosage of calpol? I’m guessing that would be a huge amount.

Another vote for tonsillitis. Temperature tends to respond better to ibuprofen in my experience. Def try 111.

My first thought was tonsillitis too.

Alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol so he can have pain killers ever 3-4 hours.

Personally, I wouldn't go for medical aid after 24 hours if pain relief was bring his temperature down and a sore throat was the only other symptom. But only you know how ill he actually is.

Have you tried looking at his throat/tonsils?? Any redness, swelling or yellow (pus) spots?

I would also be thinking tonsillitis, but they should also perhaps test for glandular fever (Epstein Barr) if it persists too as that can present with high fever, very sore swollen glands/throat and fatigue.

I wouldn't rule out Covid due to the negative test. They can sometimes take a day or two to pick up the virus (DH and I have both had Covid 3 times and on the first two occasions we both took two or three days to test positive). Might be worth testing for a couple of days if the symptoms persist.

Was also going to suggest this. I was very ill with it around that age. Raging fever, sore throat, exhaustion and eventually very swollen lymph glands. But could be a throat infection.

Have you tested for Covid ? If not I'd say tonsillitis. X