Worried by dt1s high temperatures, have been given conflicting advice.

[Overrun]

I am concerned about my 2 year old dt. He has been really ill since thursday morning, averaging temperatures in the high 39s and 40s. He was seen by a gp on the thursday morning as I thought when he developed a temp, he might have a chest infection because he had had a bad cough for a while at that point.
GP said virus, but thought there may be an ear infection as glands up, but couldn't see because of wax. We were given olive oil drops.
We also got him seen by an out of hours gp yesterday as his temp went up to 40.9 which I thought was really high. I also thought he was getting a bit dehydrated as very thirsty and not weeing a lot. She also said virus, but couldn't see into his ear because of wax (we are giving him the drops)
He does perk up a little bit sometimes, and unfortunately was like this when he was seen yesterday (typical).
But 90% of the time he seems really ill. He has also been sick a few times.
Anyway thats the back ground, heres the question.
One doctor said don't give capol as it stops them fighting the infection and any temp of over 38.5 is high, doesn't matter how high. The other doctor said give capol and was a bit concerned by how long he was having high temps for, and that they were not really coming down very much.
SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

In your situation (and based on what docs have always said to me)I would take him back to A&E - and get stroppy if they don't take things seriously. I know what it's like to wonder if you spend half your life at the doctors/A&E, asking endless questions and clarifications - and be considered a neurotic mother. Who cares, as long as you know you have done the best for DS.

Please, do go to A&E. Hope he gests better very soon.

After 5 days, a virus should start clearing and temperature should not remain consistently so high.

Thing is, even if it was a virus to start with, secondary bacterial infection is always likely and consitenly high temperature might be an indicator of that.
With my DS that has generally been the case. Starts as a common virus and develops into chest infection or sinusitis /ear infection.

I don't understand medicine in the UK. Why refuse to alleviate symptoms when they last?
I would give calpol and alternate with nurofen, especially during the night to allow him to rest. And go back to Dr first thing in the morning.

Remembered my firend mentioned her ds panting as well and assumed that it was because of temp but actually more to do with pneumonia. I would really take him to A&E.

Look Overrun

I'm not being Funny

but a temp of 40.7 would scare the shit out of me

I would most definitely without a shadow of a doubt take him straight to A&E

My ds was the same as twig's dd. Listening to chest missed his pneumonia, only chest xray picked it up. He had no symptoms except the very high temperature.
Quite frankly I'd stop posting on here and get your child to A & E...sorry to be blunt but a temp that high is not something to messed around with.

crossed your last post.
Go today. You don't want to get paranoid about breathing difficulty in the middle of the night.

keep fluids up. Give chicken soup and ice lollies to suck on.

Forgot to say, my DS had pneumonia. A&E docs said if he is breathing more than 40 breaths per minute (in an under 1yo) then you should worry. If his tummy is going up and down when he is trying to breath, or his ribcage, or the bottom of his neck - then they can all be symptoms of pneumonia - essentially, struggling to breathe.

See me and Twig have resorted to deploying the well known wonderpets strategy of teeeeamwork. GO TO A & E.

Please take him to A&E. A temp of 40.7 is way too high if he has had meds. Insist on him seeing a dr, not a nurse (and I am a nurse lol!!).
As jaz2 says, so what if they think you are a neurotic mother - you need to do what's best for your child and IMO, that's getting him checked out again.

grunting is usually a sign that a toddler is having trouble breathing

get to A & E Overrun

Go To A&E!

You've already said you haven't seen him so poorly before.

A few of of last night told Lisalisa to go to A&E, turned out to be a good job she went!

I think she's probably gone to be honest

good luck

Thanks every one, now don't shout but I am not going to take him to A &E, but have left a message for another gp at my practice who I like, and who happens to be on duty today.
His temp is now down to 39.5, which is still high, but better.
I didn't post for a while, as I was looking after him. I think if I can get him seen by this gp, then she might be able to get him seen at the day assessment unit at the hospital rather than A& E.
I will let you know, how he gets on. Thanks so much for the support and advice.
Tipex - he hasn't given any samples, so I will ask her if she will do this or set this up, thanks for your expert advice, and the nurse whose name I am afraid I can't remember

As long as he is being seen by a doctor that is the main thing. I won't shout but your GP won't be able to give him a chest xray though. Good luck.

you are his mother you must follow your instinct (in line with all of ours of course )

I hope your GP comes to see you soon .. it sounds like a good plan .. do please keep an eye on him and if his breathing starts to sound very laboured (ie stomach sucking in under his ribs, more grunting etc) please don't hesitate to call an ambulance

good luck

he sounds very poorly to me - hope he is seen very soon. all the best.

Message withdrawn

let us know how you get on when you get a chance
hope he is on the mend soon

overrun: it is apparently a new directive as in came out a couple of months ago, regarding the sponging and not giving calpol to reduce a pyrexia.

I personally would still use alternate calpol, and neurophen, and tepid sponge because it DOES help. I've not had a chance to read all the guidance on the 'new' guidlines and am interested to know the reasoning behind it.

My Dd spiked a temp of 40.5 recently and i took her up to walk in center as was nearest place to go. they told me this 'advice' i was horrified! i told them it was irresponsible to be telling a mother with a very young baby not to try to reduce the temp. as dd and your ds are at risk of febrile convulsions with a temp over 39 and especially a persistent pyrexia such as your ds has.

My bf is still an a&e pæds nurse, and they are NOT following or advising the 'new' guidlines until further research is presented...

so in short: i'd take him to A&E my self, and ask to see a pædiatric Doc or nurse...

truly hope he feels better soon...

just to add... its usually a SUDDEN rise in temp from normal -low grade temp to very high temp that causes febril convulsions, as opposed to a stead rise which 'lingers' althoguh it can still happen... i just didnt want to alarm you with my post! sorry

any news, overrun?

bump for updates!

Hi every one. He has been seen by the gp. She thinks that such high temperatures are a concern, and that there is possibly an ear infection or a wee infection going on. He has been prescribed antibiotics, and we are trying to get a wee sample from him. She also advocates Capol and Calprofen.
His temp is back down to 39.4 (obviously still high), and he is less lethargic and panty.
She thinks the panting was caused by high temps.
Thanks for all your concern and support. If the antibiotics don't work, or he deteriates I will get him seen again, but for now I am satisfied with that