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Original poster

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

78 replies

Overrun · 08/10/2007 13:44

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?

OP posts:
RubyShivers · 08/10/2007 19:18

another bump ...

RubyShivers · 08/10/2007 19:19

x-posts!
really hope you have a better night

jaz2 · 08/10/2007 21:16

Glad to hear you have had him checked out. As you say, his temp is still high.

If the night your instincts tell you to be worried in, then do please call an ambulance or take him to A&E.

My doc called an ambulance for my DS as I hadn't appreciated how ill he was (pneumonia came on over 3 hours!) - and the ambulance crew weren't in the slightest bit annoyed when DS perked up the second he arrived at hospital. They said that if it were to happen again then call an ambulance.

I hope he has a better night, poor little boy.

Please keep us posted.

susiecutie · 08/10/2007 21:44

The NICE guidlines are available on the internet for all to read.. i would recomend the quick reference guide the most relevant page being page 14

here is a link to it.

NICE guidlines to fever in infants and children it is a PDF file which you can download. Dont get too bogged down in the whole document as it is a guide for use by healthcare professionals... but is quite readable to 'lay' people to

but this is the quick reference but you can search the site for full guidelines though alot to read through...

hope this clears up reasons for conflcting advice. IMP if you are happier using antipyretics such as calpol or neurophen then do so.. this is mentioned in the guidelines too.

Original poster
Overrun · 08/10/2007 21:51

Thanks Susiecutie. I have read the guide. I am hoping that there is a previously undiagnosed infection that will respond to the antibiotics

OP posts:
belgo · 09/10/2007 07:48

how is he today overrun?

TwigorTreat · 09/10/2007 07:49

good .. how was he during the night? how is he this morning?

I hope you don't feel bombarded Overrun .. I think we all personalise to our experience .. and I really think you do know best (I hope you haven't felt anyone has been saying any different)

Original poster
Overrun · 09/10/2007 10:15

Don't worry Twigor, I understand people make different decisions about these things. I knew that when I posted.
He is not good today, and I am back to feeling worried again. We have had an awful night of high temps, and are having trouble getting a urine sample from him.
He weed in the night in his nappy, but not since he woke up.
I am dying to start the antibiotics, and may well do that if I can't get a sample soon.
I seem to vacilate between feeling okay about it, and that he just needs time to recover, to feeling really worried that something has been missed.

OP posts:
belgo · 09/10/2007 10:19

carry on following your instincts overrun. If you can't get a urine sample (didn't they give you a special bag to attach to him for the sample?), then I would probably start the antibiotics.

Elibean · 09/10/2007 10:25

Thats a long time for temps, Overun, another vote for following your instincts and starting ABs. You can always get the sample after starting them, and if necessary the GP can switch type of AB half way through the course.

Original poster
Overrun · 09/10/2007 10:26

Belgo, they gave me a slim urine container. He is willing to have me hold it under him, but nothing comes.
I do think his urine output is down, which I have told them. He has had plenty to drink. He also complained of his willy hurting last night, and that weeing hurt.

OP posts:
susiecutie · 09/10/2007 10:29

sorry he's still not well lovely. I think you are right to still feel concerned.

Id just start the anti biotics if i were you, and on the form that goes to the lab, you or your doc, can write the name of the antibiotic so they are aware when they are testing it.

give him a little squeeze from me and my Dd. its awful when they are so out of sorts and poorly. And one for you too! i bet you need it... must be feeing so tired and worried.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ overrun and little overrun }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

belgo · 09/10/2007 10:33

the symptoms suggest a urinary infection, which is a good enough reason to start the antibiotics.

TwigorTreat · 09/10/2007 11:15

if you start antibiotics before getting the sample they will not be able to tell whether there is a urinary infection unfortunately

if you can strip him off and give him drinks / ice lollies and follow him round with a potty (if you have) or plastic bowl / typperware that you've washed and rinsed and dried in hot water

HTH

Original poster
Overrun · 09/10/2007 13:09

Newsflash: He did a wee and I have taken it to the gps, so they can send it off for analysis. He has had his first dose of antibiotics.
So its a bit of a waiting game now. Just thought you would all like to know

OP posts:
RubyShivers · 09/10/2007 13:11

good news about the wee
hope you are all doing ok

susiecutie · 09/10/2007 14:07

Twig, I was not aware of that...
certianly in adults you can send an MSU despite being on antibiotics and it will still give result either way. you just have to make a note on the lab form so they know which one...
must be different in children

Original poster
Overrun · 09/10/2007 14:50

Another question if people are still around. How long would you give the antibiotics to work before taking him back to the Doctors? I am thinking a few days at most, if there is no improvement.
His temperature is currently 40.7 again He always seems to be at his worse at this time of day, and then of course in the evening.

OP posts:
goingfor3 · 09/10/2007 14:51

You may see an improvement with the antibiotics tommorow. Poor little one sounds so unwell.

Elibean · 09/10/2007 15:41

Poor lad

My friend's dd (3.5) recently had a run of very high temps, same symptoms as your ds, and sure enough it was an undiagnosed wee infection (coming on top of an ear infection, also slow to be diagnosed). It took about 24 hours for her to be noticeably better, but quite a while (over a week) for her not to spike any fevers at all - and another week or so to get her colour and appetite back. Nasty. In her case, the ABs had to be changed once the infection was confirmed via sample.

Well done on the sample, I didn't know that about kids' samples and ABs either - have been put on by GP and sample done after: live and learn, eh!

Original poster
Overrun · 09/10/2007 15:57

Thanks for your responses. I am back from school run, with dt1 lolling in the pushchair looking awful, and every one saying "OH my god he looks so ill".
Elibean - your friends dd does sound similar, I know that they can't check for an infection in his right ear due to excessive wax.
Time will tell I guess. So in my mind, I hoping for an improvement asap, but will wait till thursday before going back. Unless there is any deteriation or extra problems

OP posts:
belgo · 09/10/2007 15:59

antibiotics should show a very significant improvement within 48 hours, according to my GP.

I hope he gets better soon.

Elibean · 09/10/2007 16:11

I'd definitely not wait more than 48 hours, Thursday makes sense unless he's worse. Big hugs to you and big get-wells to him, Overrun.

supperwoman · 09/10/2007 16:20

give calpol and report the dr. has he never heard of a febrile convulsion?

susiecutie · 09/10/2007 21:50

you should see an improvement in 24 hours, even if only slight. and certainly by 48 hours, max. if none seen by then, you must take him back.

However, if you are concerned, take him back tomorrow. He shoudlnt still be having SUCH a high temp. I really would consider A&E overrun.. they can do the tests so much quicker as lad is there at hand. I htink by this time, he ought to have some bloods done too.. sorry, dont want to alarm, but this has been going on a LONG time for such high temp spikes.

Do hope there is some improvemnt by the morning.