When do I need to worry about a child's temp? And any tips on helping a constantly coughing 5 yo?

[MamaG]

DS1 has a constant bloody cough. He is on anti-bs for an ear infection and is drinking warm juice and sucking blackcurrant and glycerine sweets. Its driving all of us mad and hurting his tummy now.

His temp last night was 40.1 - usually around 37.3. I managed to get it down but I realised that i don't know what temp is "ring NHS direct" time?

TIA

40.1 is bad but if you managed to get it down I would continue managing it at home, given that he has seen a doctor already. If he was at 40 degrees and paracetamol and ibuprofen made no difference then I would be phoning NHS Direct - probably about 6 hours I suppose, if you want to quantify it.

However, you have to trust your judgement a bit. I would phone quicker if he was really floppy and not very responsive but not so quickly if he could have a conversation and still move walk around.

Was he coughing so badly when you took him and got diagnosed with an ear infection? Could he have developed a chest infection now? Might be worth a trip to the docs if so. The ABs for the ear infection may not be appropriate for a chest infection.

Thanks a lot niecie. He wasn't coughing as badly when I first took him, so I'll probably take him back tonight.

(in op - temp usually 36.3 not 37.3)

Obviously you need to keep an eye on his temp but I wouldn't hear alarm bells unless he becomes listless, floppy, unresponsive etc.

Poor little boy, coughs are just the worst, especially if they keep him (and/or you and everyone else) awake

Have you tried steam inhalation or a wet towel on a radiator to keep the air damp?

Calpol/ibuprofen rotated for the temp?

Hopefully the AB's will kick in soon and he'll be on the mend.

Thanks TF. I think teh abs are kicking in at last - he's certainly coughing less. I have been doing all the things you suggested and he's def a bit happier today