DS1 (8.7 yrs) has a temperature - 39.5 c - Should I be phoning somebody?

[Niecie]

Title says it all really. DS1 woke up with a temp of 38.2 this morning so no school. I gave him so ibuprofen because he had a headache but no other symptoms and he was fine most of the morning, back to normal really.

He started to get a bit quiet at lunchtime (he didn't have any) and I checked his temp again and it has gone up to 39.5. I gave him some paracetamol which didn't make a difference and now some more ibuprofen and it hasn't made a difference although it was only 30 mins ago and it can take longer to work.

He has no other symptoms. A brief headache but that is gone. He is just lying on his bed shivering and wiped out.

Should I be phoning to docs or is it too soon to get really worried given that he isn't a baby any more?

Sorry should have said TIA.

If no other symptoms my instinct might be probably to watch it for a while to see if it goes up any further - cool flannels, lots of liquid etc. The other week one of mine had a ruptured eardrum and the next day went up to 39.5 and complained about her other ear, so we went and as she had an infection were given antibiotics. I may not have gone that day if she hadn't been complaining about the other side too though.

Would check the NHS website also for recommendations on fever

(meant to say I hope he feels better soon)

I agree with crumpet, the aim is to get his temp down and just see how you go.

He will feel rotten while his temp is high so if he can suffer a tepid bath, even for a few mins it will help.

Thanks for the replies.

I wasn't sure of what to do as he hasn't been like this since he was 5 and I haven't dealt with it in an older child. Not sure at what to point I need to act and not just fret!

Problem is he is shivering so not keen on anything to cool him down but I am trying. He has a cool flannel for his forehead.

He is talking like he does when he has tonsilitis but he says no sore throat. I am wondering if he swollen glands.

Crumpet your DD's ear sounds nasty. The thought of burst eardrums makes me wince I have to say. I hope she is fully recovered.

I had a child a short while ago whose only symptoms were a bit off colour, quiet, tired with a temperature that hit about 40.5 if I recall right. I phoned NHS 24, this was at night, and they made me strip her off to check for a rash etc. Then I was told, in the absence of any other symptoms, just to keep her cool, drink iced water, open the window, etc check that she was rousable. Also told only to use one type of medication (although i admit I swapped between calpol and ibup.). Her temperature can remain that high for 2 days, apparently, without my needing to worry. but always to be constantly on the lookout for any other symptoms. Her temperature remained high on and off for several days, nothing else happened so I have put it down to a virus or bug.
But if in doubt, would always suggest phoning NHS24, they are very good at talking you through all the things to look for.

Any sensitivity to light or a stiff neck? These are the things the doc checked DS1 for this afternoon when I took him with the same symptoms or lack thereof (no obvious cold symptoms). I guess he was ruling out meningitis.

Thanks - I have been checking for rashes, a stiff neck and sensitivity to light. He's not so keen on the light but doesn't have the other two. At the moment I think his sore eyes are due to having been lying on his bed all afternoon, trying to get to sleep. His eyes must be very tired.

He is rousable too.

I hope it is just flu but I havent seen him this poorly for a long time. I know there is a lot of it about - his little brother had something similar about 3 or 4 weeks ago but even on his worst day he didn't hit the temps that DS1 has had nor did it carry on so long at such a level, without the drugs being able to bring it down.

He has been crying he is so miserable, poor thing, and he was so pleased with himself for dodging school this morning! He isn't so keen now.

Its so draining though, isn't it. You all have my sympathies if you have been or are going through it now. Hope your DS1 bounces back quickly thedolly.

I'd call NHS direct now just to see what they say. I always prefer to do it while it's kind of a decent time, not at death-o'clock in the morning when I'm finding it harder to be rational myself.

Hope he picks up soon

To be honest, if his temp is that high and not going down at all after medication, I would ring either nhs direct or your out of hours for advice.

Thanks for your replies.

I had a look at the NHSDirect website and did one of those self-diagnosis things and it just said the usual for dealing with the fever but didn't say he needed a doc unless it went on for 2 or 3 days. I was getting very worried about him at about 4am this morning as he said his legs were all weak and not working and he couldn't get out of bed. However, the dose of ibuprofen I gave him then finally did the job and he was much better an hour later and his temperature was right down this morning.

Now he has a sore throat so I had a look and he has the dreaded pus on his tonsils so we are off to the docs this morning. I did phone to check whether it was worth it as getting him to take ABs is a nightmare (he used to sick the liquid ones back up) but the doc wants to see him so we are off in a minute.

Am a bit relieved as now I know what is going on!

Thanks again for your thoughts.

Glad he is feeling better.

My youngest DS has had a persistent fever twice in the past year or so and both times it turned out to be Scarlet Fever-so keep an eye out for any rash following on from the sore throat!