how long before you take 2yr old with fever to the doctor?

[theangelshavethephonebox]

Can't think straight due to lack of sleep - can't decide if there's any point dragging ds to the drs today. He has had slight fever on/off since Saturday morning but when I give him nurofen/calpol it does lower his temp for a while.

His only other symptoms are tremendous amounts of snot and an awful lot of whinging . No coughing or anything. Eating/drinking only a little less than normal. Don't think he has any pain anywhere.

He does have a slight red area around the base of his penis - this has happened before and cleared up by itself though.

I'm thinking there's little point taking him unless he gets worse?

normally 3 days just take him and make sure nothing to serious cant be nice for him maybe has bit of an infection somwhere

What is the temperature? How old is the child? Rule of thumb is under 38 and it's the body;s way of fighting an infection, over 38 and it might be an idea to give calpol. Over 39, definitely try and bring it down, 40, call the doctor. If it's slight 37-ish, it's OK to have it for a few days. My dd has just had one for 4 days.

oh, that's useful, thanks both. It's hovering around 37/38 most of the time - did go up to 39 at one point yesterday afternoon but hasn't been that high since. Will see how it goes for today.

37.5 is classed as normal for child anything over 39 for more than 3 days should be checked out

www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/childrenfever.htm

I've wondered about that before - if I take ds' temp when he's well, the reading is usually around 35.9 - so if I get a reading of 37 I normally think well he must have a fever as it's higher than usual iyswim. So I tend to give calpol/nurofen at that point but from what you're saying, maybe I'm being too hasty and should give his body a chance to fight whatever it is. Will look at that link now...

here

anything from 38 is classed as a fever its from 37.5 is classes as normal anything above for moree than 3 days needs to be checked out but temp does fluctuate regualy and no need to worry if within them margains but if in pain or obvious discomfort then check it out