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General health

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Original poster

Another panicky thread -- fever and drowsiness in 8mo

26 replies

MegBusset · 30/10/2007 19:06

DS has been unhappy all afternoon - v drowsy and low-grade crying since 3ish, refused all food (has had bf though), then about 6pm developed a fever (around 38 degrees). Had noticably cold hands this afternoon too (though could have been from crawling round on cold floor). Crying escalated around then so gave a tepid bath and Medised and put to bed.

Then Googled 'meningitis symptoms' and have worried myself and DH. Have put call out to out-of-hours GP but have to wait half an hour for callback, can anyone reassure me? (He has no rash.)

DH has throat infection so it could be that too... I originally thought it was teething but he was nowhere near this bad last time...

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whomovedmychocolate · 30/10/2007 19:10

Okay well can't reasssure you on the meningitis front becauses only one of three types features a rash, but most likely he has a nasty bug and will be unwell for a few dayss.

Keep a close eye and if he seems worse don't bother with waiting for the docs - take him to casualty.

Good luck, I'm sure it's not too serious - but do take it seriously anyway.

Original poster

MegBusset · 30/10/2007 19:12

He is fast asleep at the moment, guess I should just sneak in every once in a while and feel his forehead?

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whomovedmychocolate · 30/10/2007 19:18

Back of the neck is better TBH as an indicator of temperature. The forehead isn't reliable. If he feel clammy or raging hot, keep a very close eye on him.

You sound calmer?

Original poster

MegBusset · 30/10/2007 19:29

Have just spoken to GP who said it's probably a virus and just to keep a close eye on him and check temp in half an hour. So hopefully if they thought it could be meningitis they would have said to take him to A&E straight away.

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whomovedmychocolate · 30/10/2007 19:32

Good. Well just in cases, in case you don't have this info see this page for specific info on babies and meningitis. Your his mum, you know him better than anyone. If he seems to be getting worse, don't wait for a second opinion.

EffiePerine · 30/10/2007 19:32

Glad you got to speak to the doc. Temps are worrying, but there are a lot of viruses going round atm. If medised doesn;t bring it down, try doubling up with nurofen - that worked for DS. Of course, if he gets worse or any other worrying symptoms, get back on to the docs. Do you have an out of hours service where you can take them along? Ours is at the local A&E but a separate section so you don't have to wait.

EffiePerine · 30/10/2007 19:33

Oh and hope he gets better soon

Original poster

MegBusset · 30/10/2007 19:39

Thanks WMMC and EP

Am still a bit worried 'cause of the other symptoms (cold hands, crying) but will keep a close eye, retake temp. in half an hour and see how he is then.

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Jojay · 30/10/2007 19:41

We doubled up Nurofen ( Ibuprofen) and Calpol (Paracetemol - same active ingregient as Medised without the antihistamine) with great success when DS - 10 months - had a temp of 39 and was similarly sleepy.

We gave him Calpol first, then 2 hours later, Nurofen. Then 2 hours later Calpol again, etc etc.

He woke up with a temp in the morning but it was under control by mid afternoon.

I'm not in any shape or form a doctor or medical professional, but it worked for us.

It's horrid isn't it

On the bright side, DS was better within a day or two. I'm sure your boy will be too.

Jojay · 30/10/2007 19:42

Are his hands still cold now?

Original poster

MegBusset · 30/10/2007 19:44

Thanks for that Jojay, he is PFB so of course I always fear the worst

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Original poster

MegBusset · 30/10/2007 19:46

He is sound asleep Jojay so we are going to check on him at 8 (take temp), will probably have to wake him for that as only have underarm thermometer! He has a gloved sleepsuit on (due to eczema) so hard to check hands without taking it off.

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Jojay · 30/10/2007 19:48

Poor little chap - I'm sure being asleep is the best thing for him.

And I'm sure you know this anyway, but those ear thermometers are really good.....!!

whomovedmychocolate · 30/10/2007 19:48

An in ear thermometer is the soundest investment you may ever make!

gingerninja · 30/10/2007 20:00

Meggy, for your DS. When DD was in hospital with her temp she also had cold and blue hands. The pediatrican said it was not unusual with a temp.

Keep him really cool, double on calpol and nurofen as the others have said and keep an eye on him. If his temp doesn't go down after calpol and nurofen phone outpatients. They may ask you to go in as a precaution as they like to keep babies under close observation. DD had an unexplained temp of 39 degrees for a couple of days. We had a rash too if you remember but it was all part of the virus. keep us updated. hugs

ImBarryScott · 30/10/2007 20:29

sorry to hear that. keep us posted on how it goes.

if it helps, I had to collect DD from nursery last week with a temp of 39 and lots of screaming. I capoled her up and wheeled her round in the fresh air all afternoon (OMG - I am Claire Verity in disguise), and she recovered fine. I'm still none the wiser as to what was up.

Original poster

MegBusset · 30/10/2007 20:29

Have just checked temp. and it is still the same, he doesn't feel clammy or sweaty though, just a bit warm. Managed to get him into a cooler sleeping bag without him waking properly so will check again in half an hour.

Also the GP on the phone said to give him water instead of bm, am a bit about that advice...

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ImBarryScott · 30/10/2007 20:33

indeed.
I suppose you could always ring NHS direct if you think your GP's advice is a bit suspect. Hope he feels better soon.

kinderBOOsurprise · 30/10/2007 20:35

I seem to remember my paediatrician telling me that children often have cold hands and feet when they have a temperature as the body is concentrating on fighting the bug. The extremities are lower on the priority list so the blood flow slows down to them.

Does that make any sense? Maybe someone else can tell me if I am remembering rightly.

Hope your DS is better soon.

gingerninja · 30/10/2007 20:39

Meg, I'd have thought breast milk was the very best thing for him. That way if it's an infection that you're fighting too you'll be supplying the antibodies.

Would he be too cold if you took the sleeping bag off all together? When I went to hospital with DD they made me strip her to get her temp down.

Amberjee · 30/10/2007 20:45

Meg, poor you, it's so horrid when they're sick.
fwiw, ds was sick recently and i know there are a lot of colds going around. he had a massive temperature and was really drowsy for a day or so. he basically slept in my arms on the couch for a whole day which is completely unlike him. we coslept that night because i felt that way i could keep an eye on him and his temperature. i took him to the dr and he said nothing of interest, just that it would clear in its own time.
i'm not convinced by your dr's advice on giving water. i would offer unlimited breast milk, as much as he'll take, it's the best for him as it contains plenty of water and has the antibodies he will need to fight the virus.
i don't know anything about meningitis though, so might be worth getting him checked in the morning to put your mind at rest. i'm sure it's likely to be a virus going around though.

Original poster

MegBusset · 30/10/2007 20:53

Baz sorry to hear your DD was unwell, but glad the CV treatment did the trick!

Thanks Ginger and everyone else, I don't want to take off too many layers at once as his room is pretty cool, have dispatched DH to Sainsbury's pharmacy to try to procure an in-ear thermometer.

He is still soundly asleep so I am hoping that means he's busy fighting off whatever it is (could just be the Medised, mind!).

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Original poster

MegBusset · 30/10/2007 20:58

Amber, sounds like your DS had something v similar. I feel bad 'cause he was nodding off in the buggy this afternoon (before he started looking unwell) and I kept him awake so as not to interfere with bedtime!

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EffiePerine · 31/10/2007 08:55

Is he better this morning Meg?

Original poster

MegBusset · 31/10/2007 09:26

He is much better this morning, thanks -- seems to have slept a lot of it off (with the help of Medised ). Still running a slight temp. and a bit under the weather but must better than last night.

Also the in-ear thermometer is great, although did wake DS at 11pm last night beeping in his ear as we used it!

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