Do I need to give calpol?

[SomeAdvicePleasee]

DS is 2 and is unwell every few weeks. Whenever he gets a fever, it affects him as it makes him sleepy, unhappy, miserable, etc.

He’s been unwell for 10 days now (no idea what the problem is!). Started with a cold which has most cleared except a runny nose. But for the past few days, he’s had a fever which comes and goes has reached almost 40 degrees at times.

Except it doesn’t seem to be bothering him at all. He’s still happy and running around full of energy, although he doesn’t have much of an appetite. This is the first time ever where a fever hasn’t affected him so I’ve not given calpol. As I usually give calpol, I’m feeling torn about whether I should give it because he has a fever, or if he actually needs it considering he is still himself. Last night his temp was 39.8 degrees and he was still running around the house!

Any advice?

Completely against most of Mumsnet probably, but I stand by my thoughts of if they're hot but happy then no need for paracetamol. Their immune system although still immature, is doing what it's designed to do - heat the body up to kill the bugs. Suppressing that seems counter intuitive.
Obviously if in obvious distress or discomfort then I would absolutely be reaching for the nearest syringe.

Too many people reach for the calpol at the first sign of a slightly elevated temperature in the false belief that it will 1) 'make them instantly better' then seem confused when 4 hours later they feel poorly again and
2) prevent febrile convulsions - which antipyretics won't.

As long as your child is taking on some fluids and is happy in themselves then crack on.

I generally take the same approach as @AlphaAlpha . However, if it had been 10 days of illness and DC was getting worse and not better in terms of fever then I’d want them to see the GP.

I too treat the child, not the temperature.
So a miserable, ill, child with a slightly elevated temp - calpol.
A child that is drinking and playing, I'd leave.

If on the warm side but happy I would leave, but I wouldn't be happy with a temp of 39.8 as if left untreated it will most likely climb. Having said that, whenever my little one has had a temperature he has been quite miserable and he rigors with a high temp so I would give calpol and brufen 😊
If still unwell after 10 days and getting worse I would see the GP.

Ok perfect, thanks all. That’s reassuring. As I say this is the first time he’s had a fever and it hasn’t bothered him, hence why I wasn’t sure! But is happily playing and drinking (despite the high temp) so will leave it.

I was going to wait until Monday before taking him to the GP. Our GP prescribes antibiotics very easily so DS has been on them too many times to count, so want to avoid that being the first course of action just yet.