How long is a viral infection meant to last?

[Loley22]

Hi, just wondered if anyone had any insight into how long a viral infection may last? Dd1 is 5 and came down with a fever on Friday. Gave calpol and nurofen alternate but soon as it wore off fever shot back up to 40 again. Was refusing to eat and hardly drinking and complaining of head ache and tummy ache. 111 sent us to a and e on Sunday and they gave a very thorough check. Aside from red in her ears and low blood sugar (due to not eating) they were confident in saying its viral. Anyone any ideas how long it'll go on for? Were on day 5 and although she's eating small amounts (due to the threat of hospital again), her temp still keeps climbing backup soon as the meds wear off. Going to follow up with gp tomorrow.

I think getting to day 5 of a constant temperature can often cue a bit more interest from the medical side. Is the temperature getting normalised by medicine or just reduced (ie only 40 down to 38). Does she have any specific pain in her body. Is there any improvement since the start (albeit slow). If it is equally as bad (or worse) then when they last saw her I’d have thought they may want to investigate further with bloods etc.

Exactly this.
they normally want to run bloods after day 5 to check infection levels to work out where infection is and if antibiotics would help.

@beckypv @wobblymum1 thanks both. She seemed much better today, eating and drinking no temp then it crept back up to 38.7 this afternoon. Unfortunately you can only get sick between 8am and 12pm here or go to a and e so will be running the gauntlet with the gp tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it's an ear/ sinus infection as she said her throat was hurting earlier and she's started to get snotty. Any bugs she's had before have been short lived, predicable I.e. hand foot and mouth or needed antibiotics so I was unsure what the deal was when they say its a viral infection. Hopefully she's feeling much better tomorrow

My DD whose 4 had a viral infection lasting for about 2 weeks. Her temperature kept going up, gave her calpol/nurofen and it would come down. She wasn't eating or drinking enough. One day she seemed to be improving and the next day at the temperature was back again. I was concerned as it was going on for so long I took her to the GP after a week and they said it was a viral infection and to come back in another week if she wasn't better. The concern is an ongoing viral infection can turn into a bacterial infection( like a chest infection) so just keep an eye on her.

She seemed better Tuesday then by the afternoon had a temp again. Went to the gp yesterday and they've given antibiotics for an eat/sinus infection. 3 doses in and she's back to normal!