My toddler temp is not going down!

[Ash80]

My ds has a bad cold and awful cough, he had a temp of 38.8 and his temp has not gone down below 38.4 should i be concerened that is has not dropped to 37! Its so upsetting to hear him coughing and heavy breathing. Im thinking i should go to the doc..

If you have given him calpol or the like and the temp has still not come down, I would give the doc a quick call. Tis probably ok, but better safe than sorry.

I gave him Medised about 3 hours ago

have you stripped him off? If not, take everything off except the nappy, if he has one and socks. You could put a loose top/vest on. sorry if you've done all this. make sure the room is cool. You can give nurofen as well as the calpol. it reduced their temp quicker. hth

is medised paracetomal based? paracetomal stabilises temps it is ibuprofen that brings it down

can you alternate with ibuprofen?

I wouldn't be concerned at 38.4 .. personally I don't even medicate at that level unless they are obviously in discomfort / pain

not diagnosing .. you are the only one who knows how your child is so if you feel you should seek medical attention do ..

My ds had the same thing last week - doc prescribed:

bath, making sure head is thoroughly soaked to help him lose heat
stripping down to vest and pants, keeping house as cool as you can
lots of liquids
alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen at recommended intervals
make sure he eats some cool food - she doesn't like them having ibuprofen on an empty stomach

Take him to the doctor.

Sorry Twiglett but it is not true that paracetemol is only meant to stabilize temperatures. Sometimes it is not enough to bring temp down (like in this case) and you should alternate it with ibuprofen.

DD had cough and persistent high temp last month. Turns out it was bronchitis. Doc prescribed antibiotics and she got over it in a few days.

OK .. I'll tell my paed that shall I?

oh and paediatric A&E at Kings too .. better tell them too

sorry, my sarcasm got away from me .. was unnecessarily rude then .. you have my apologies

Ash80 - if you think your ds should see a doctor, then you should see a doctor. In fact, seeing as you posted a couple of hours ago, maybe you have done already.

paracetamol should bring down a temperature , ibruprufen is better. In particular intravenous paracetamol and paracetamol in suppositary form is far better then calpol.

No need to apologize. And maybe you should tell this to whoever told you paracetamol is not meant to lower fever. I don't know why your paediatrician told you that, Twiglett, but ours says first to try with paracetamol and to give ibuprofen if and only if DD's temperature does not go down after an hour or so.

Just a quick search proves our paed right (not that it's a competition):

Paracetamol lowers temperature and kills pain, but doesn't reduce inflammation.

Definition of paracetamol: A pain relief medicine that also lowers high temperatures

It is thought paracetamol reduces fever by affecting an area of the brain that regulates our body temperature

Also, I would be concerned about 38.4 C fever

Thank you all for your replies, I had to rush to the doctor as his temp went up to 39.7!

oh no ash80, is he ok now? what did the doc say?

well Cote maybe they simplified it for a perceived-numpty parent then .. because that was the message clear and consistently given when DD was experiencing febrile episodes

I think it's a translation of ibuprofen being more effective at reducing a temperature than paracetomal

Ash .. I hope your DS is getting better .. children's temperatures can spike very quickly ... did they find any signs of infection that could be treated or is it just the cold

lots of fluids, keep him lightly clothed if not naked and keep the analgesics going

Thanks all, Hes much better, the doctor thinks he hasa viral infection, and to manage his temp with paracetamol and ibuprofen if still high.

Ash - hope he's alright, glad you got him to the doctors.

twiglett - it's funny you should say 'I'll tell my pead that' - because, well, I would not hesitate to disagree with a doctor if I knew I was right.

When my dd2 had a febrile convulaion her temperature was 40°C and she had lost conciouisness. I gave her a paracetamol suppository (obviously she was unconcious so couldn't swallow calpol) and by the time the ambulance arrived, her temparture was 38.5°C and she had stopped fitting.

I would ask those doctors why they gave you false information & change paed if you are not satisfied with his answer.

ash - Glad to hear your DS has been diagnosed. I hope he feels better soon.