Best way to bring temp down?

[MerlinsBeard]

He reacts oddly to ibuprofen so am giving 5ml calpol every 2 hours (it says I can give 10 ml every 4 hours so trying to keep him topped up). I am flannelling him with lukewarm water too. Is there something else I am forgetting?

Am on alert so to speak, he has had a cold and DH Muttered about swine flu. (and of course now I am worrying about that!!) His temp was 38.7 at 10pm and will check again shortly.

Paed nurofen also has antipyretic effect.

be careful with the tepid flannelling, that's all I would say.
I find ibuprofen touches temps more effectively than calpol for my dcs but if you can't use it I think you'll just have to keep up the calpol and hopefully it'll settle soon.

Ohsoprry just read op,I would try tepid sponging,do you have a fan/Strip off to underwear.If temp continues to rise contact nhs direct or out of hours

What will tepid flannel do? Thought that was better than cold flannel?

nowhere is near and open for infant neurofen - does that not have ibuprofen in anyway?

Thank you for quick replies x

some studies have shown that tepid sponging doesn't have much effect and can cause more discomfort to the child, so I wouldn't bother doing that, just keep ds cool by stripping him down to vest and pants/nappy (you did not say how old he was?) and having a light cotton sheet rather than any heavier bedclothes
If the temp persists, you're going to have to get him checked out by doc.

Yep nurofen =ibuprofen,just didnt read op properly sorry.If you are worried I would seriously contact nhs direct or your ooh service.If temp goes above 40 would advise A+E.

yes infant nurofen is ibuprofen
definitely do NOT cold flannel, this is too much contrast for a child with a fever.

He is in summer pyjama shorts and only under a thin blanket. Not v settled but not moaning in his sleep at mo.

Will bypass nhs direct and ring out of hours gp if his temp doesn't change or rises. Am just at the pointbwhere you think ... Hmmmshould I ring now or wait an hour!

ring now, if he's better when they ring back they won't mind.

But if he can't have ibuprofen and calpol not working, you should seek advice.

Avoid sponging as likely to cause shivering - shivering makes them hotter. And be aware that the calpol dose is max 4 doses in 24 hours, will be easy to get mixed up if you are giving different to the instructions.

how long has he been hot/unwell?

Sorry should have said that he is 4. Obviously I will take to gp if he gets no better or worsens. Just checking I have done all I can to help him

I know that point well - and it's always out of hours when they get worst!
Hope his temp settles but if it's not coming down even with the calpol and you really can't do the ibuprofen then be prepared for a possible trip to out of hours. I wouldn't bother with nhs direct as they'll only tell you to take him to out of hours anyway.
Good luck - sending wishes for at least some sleep tonight

yes ring now.They would much rather see a sick child than a very sick child if that maskes sense.No skin off theri nose it is what they are there for.Hope lo is ok.

Sorry x posting all over the show!

He has been hot and unwell all day today was drowsy last night but I hadn't been worried enough about what his temp was until earlier. (bad mother)

Didn't know about the tepid sponging and shivering! Thank you.

moaningminnie has a good point - watch the calpol dose. Better to give the full dose every 4 hours probably than smaller doses as he could do with the big dose in one go with a high temp. Once he's safe to take another full dose, give him both spoons in one go, checking the dosage on the box.

Just checked his temp and it's now 37.7 so come down hugely! Going to get a bit of sleep.

Thank you for ur
help x

that's good news. Hope you get some sleep and ds better by morning

Just saw the thread, glad his temp has come down.

Just wanted to agree with those who were recommending against cold/tepid flanelling. My gp told me to just strip the child down to vest and underwear., but if I felt uncomfortable not flanelling, then the better alternative was to use a product called Kool N Soothe. It has the soothing effect of the flannel without cooling down too much like a flannel does, causing discomfort.

Gosh I sounded panicy last night. Very sorry! Sleep deprivation will do that when combined with worry will do that to you!!

He is enormously better today and going back into school. If it was normal end of term I would keep
him off. But it's his Xmas party today. In fact he is so much better that he terrorising his younger brother!!

Thank you for your help and for the advice xx

calpol is a 6 hourly dosage not every 4 hours i.e only 4 doses in 24 hours so please dont do six otherwise you might overdose them

sorry didnt realise moaningminnie had given same info

That's ok Aly it just made sure it actually went in ;)

He is still not right. He is alright ush in the day but ready for bed at 6 !

how about a fan.