15 months and a 40 degree temperature

[lilyflower1803]

Hi guys,

First time mum and unsure on what to do. My daughter is at nursery, so we have had A LOT of bugs this year as most of you I'm sure can sympathise 😅

She has picked up a bug which for the last two days has been spiking her temperature up to 40 (first time ever). I read it as 39.5 all day yesterday, but today it was reading at 41/40.2. It comes down with calpol to about 38.3 thankfully. When she had the calpol, she is eating, drinking and playing and you wouldn't know anything is up! After it wears off, it spikes back up very quickly despite me trying to get the next dose in before it does, which makes me very anxious!

My question is, with a temperature of over 40 today, should I get her seen despite her being ok?

And secondly, how many days would you let your child have a high temperature as their only symptom before going to the doctors for a check up? Should I have already gone? Should I call out of hours tomorrow?

I just don't know what's best! Thanks so much

With a temp over 40 I would get her seen.
At 39.5 yesterday I might also have had her seen as its a really high temp for her age but if she's otherwise fine and drinking normally then I can see why you didn't.

My little one had something really similar last month, and the walk in centre sent us to A&E because temp, pulse and resps were too high. I thought it was a reaction to his injectons but it was a serious masoid infection (a bone in his ear), so after under reacting for 2 days I would say go get checked for peace of mind!

I've been told by medics in the past that the actual temperature isn't an issue provided it comes down with Calpol, which hers is. I've always been told to go with how they are in themselves, and if they're eating, drinking, having wet nappies and are playing and alert then not to worry too much, just keep an eye.

We’ve been told by drs (over the phone) twice that a temperature that comes down with calpol isn’t anything to worry about, especially if they seem ok when the calpol kicks in…. Both times my LO had septic tonsillitis. Are you in the U.K.? Can you call 111 and get an out of hours appointment? I think it’s always best to get checked over.

Thank you guys, I think when I manage to get her down in her cot, I am going to call 111 for advice! But like I say, she is fine, has wet nappies, ate half her dinner even when her temperature was climbing, drinking water, having breastmilk! Just super hot 😥

Sorry to hear about all your past experiences too- must have been so frightening ♥️

@Careerdilemma I've been told the same, that's why I haven't been yet but there's such contradictory advice it's hard to know what's best!

If you are worried get them seen. My Little girl spikes mega high temps every time she has any minor illness we call it her party trick ha likes to keep us on our toes. It is unnervy when you see 40+ so best to get checked

I'd defo ring 111 and just get their advice, just to be safe. It's difficult when they are seemingly fine other than the temp, and the fact it comes down with calpol is good. Hope the lil one is feeling better soon OP!

My sons temp used to do this all the time when he was a bit younger, he seemed to be ill all the time and would have a few days worth of temps around 40degrees, it’s such a worry but high temps are the body’s way of fighting whatever it’s fighting, he always responds to calpol well and a few hours later if still unsettled we would give some ibuprofen. Hopefully your little one will be absolutely fine, but get advice if you are unsure x

General rule is 5
or more days with a high
temperature= get them checked over in case antibiotics are needed.
until then it sounds like your LO is doing well eating, drinking, playing and is spiking a fever which is the natural reaction to fighting a virus. One of my kids always fevers high (40/41) it just seems to be how her body responds 🤷‍♀️

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice the other day. I did call 111 and they recommended to alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen to keep the temp consistently down which did the trick. They did recommend a walk in urgent care, but it was 40 mins away and her temp was controlled at this point and she was in bed so we decided to wait until the morning, as if she got any worse we would be going to our local a&e 20 mins away instead!

Thankfully she had an ok night. Unfortunately the temperature is still here but more around 38 degrees now and occasional high of 39 in the evening, still controlled by paracetamol or ibuprofen. She's developed a very chesty cough now, so at least I know the culprit! If she still is feverish tomorrow or the cough gets wheezy- it's straight to the docs!