DD high temperature

[Isitthefullmoon]

DD is 3 and quite poorly.

It came on quite suddenly. She seemed really sad earlier, when she's usually chatting and laughing non stop. Eventually she came to me for a cuddle and I realised she was burning up.

I took her straight to bed. Her temperature was in the high 39s. It's now in the high 38s after some calpol but I can't help but worry.

She hasn't had a temperature for a couple of years so it all seems new again. She is breathing really quite fast and her hands were mildly mottled earlier so I'm watching her like a hawk.

Any tips or reassurance welcome.

So worried it might be the flu as it was so sudden, she's booked in for her flu spray next week 😞

Or maybe covid as she's had quite a cough but was fully better the last couple of days. I've read the current covid variant does cause a relapse after some days of being back to normal.

Urgh the worry.

Is she saying anything hurts? Ears? Throat?

What are you worried about exactly? Paeds nurse here- Maybe we can help reassure you know if we know🤍you mention flu - for an otherwise healthy child, the flu isn’t high risk at all. Unpleasant yes but not dangerous. It’s really only risky where there are underlying health conditions and by the sound of it that’s not the case here?
If her temp has come down on calpol by a degree that is really
reassuring, and until any other symptoms pop up all you can do is keep her comfortable and hydrated and rested and be reassured her fever comes down on calpol.

To add: it’s normal for respiratory rate to be higher with a fever, we expect that. Some mottling of hands and feet with a high fever is also normal though you’re right to keep an eye on it. Sounds like you are a very caring mummy who is on high alert so I’m sure she’s in safe hands 🥰

Breathing very rapidly? Is her chest sucking in under her ribcage or at the top near her collarbone?

My son was very similar this time last year, his breathing wasn't noisy but very fast even when sleeping, and a high temperature. The usual calpol and a sleep trick didn't work so I ended up taking him to A&E - by the time he seemed more settled but was actually on the verge of his airways closing up. It took 17 hours and vast quantities of nebulizers to sort him out. Diagnosed in the end as an acute viral wheeze which is apparently very common at this time of year.

From what you described, I would consider taking her to A&E.

@36and3 No she couldn't pinpoint anything when I asked her earlier. She just nodded when I asked if she was tired and also when I asked if she felt sick. She ate normally all day though so I don't think she has a sore throat either.

@Fullmooncomfort thank you that is reassuring. Flu was a worry as they offer the flu spray to all kids I had imagined it could be quite bad for them. Good to know it's not high risk.

No underlying condition, she's a pretty healthy little one so I'm sure it will be fine, it's just a bit new seeing her so poorly and with the fast breathing as well.

Its normal for kids this age to get fevers and be poorly. You do seem quite anxious. If her fever has come down with calpol that's good thing. I hope she feels better soon.

Thank you, this answers my other worry of the breathing and if it could suddenly deteriorate or something. Good to know fast breathing is normal with a high temperature!
Even DH had mentioned it and was keeping an eye on her as she slept and he never usually worries about anything so that got me concerned!
I think we're just overly worrying because we've rarely seen her in any other way than super happy and energetic, we've been very lucky. Little baba, hopefully she feels better soon.

Awwwww🤍well I think you’ve answered your own question! She sounds incredibly healthy with a strong immune system if it’s been 1 year + since a last virus!

*geek alert:
when our bodies raise their core temperature to reach pyrexia (fever) to try and fight off the bug, our heart rate speeds up to facilitate this. Once your fever reaches its peak and starts to decrease, your heart rate also slows down. (To normal levels again, not too slow 😂)