Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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BABY FEVERS?

30 replies

Katieemilyxo · 05/10/2015 21:47

What is the right temperature for a baby, and when is it considered a temperature or a fever? And at what temperature should you take action and what action do I take? My baby had his injections today he seems got and I took his temperature which is 37.5c if it get any higher should i take action? Any advice on this would be amazing I'm very worried he won't take his bottles and normally he drains them

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Calliou · 05/10/2015 21:51

How old is he and did he have the meningitis B vaccine today?

Normal body temperature is 36-37.2 so he has a low grade fever which can be normal after jabs.

heheheheheheh · 05/10/2015 21:53

It's so worrying when they're tiny - I remember feeling pretty overwhelmed by it all. My dc were all a bit fussy after vaccinations but I wouldn't worry about a mild fever on its own unless there were other worrying symptoms. If you think something is wrong then get in touch with 111 or out-of-hours. It is normal for babies to be a bit fussy after vaccinations though.

Katieemilyxo · 05/10/2015 22:12

Yes he had all the jabs they said it was new but recommended it highly did I do the wrong thing :(? And he's 9 weeks old

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Calliou · 05/10/2015 22:17

No not at all. It's a good vaccine lots of parents have been paying for privately for so it's good it's available to everyone.

The downside is the Men B vaccine has high fevers as a dude affect and therefore it's recommended babies have three doses of baby paracetamol to manage them and keep them comfortable. The immunisations nurse should have talked you through it and given him the first dose with the injection?

Katieemilyxo · 05/10/2015 22:47

His temp is 38.1 I'm really worried

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Calliou · 05/10/2015 22:53

Give him some baby paracetamol as he has had the Men B today. He can have three doses 4-6 hours apart to keep him comfortable and his fever down.

https://www.meningitisnow.org/how-we-help/campaigns/beat-it-now/faqs-on-meningitis-b-vaccine/

Calliou · 05/10/2015 22:56

Try not to panic, he will be fine but you might be in for long night. It's horrible when the are tiny and unwell. Small and frequent feeds to keep his fluids up and keep and eye on the nappies.

Katieemilyxo · 05/10/2015 22:59

He's had two doses one after and one four hours later he's due ine very soon but it's not helping what do I do

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nilbyname · 05/10/2015 23:02

If your worried call nhs direct.

Keep offering milk.

You can put a cotton wall ball in his nappy to see if he is weeing, new nappies wick all the moisture away, and this is an easy way to tell.

My ds always has fevers and would get very hot. Always just a virus. But be vigilant.

Check for rashes too.

I'm sure it's just the jabs that have discombobulated him.

Pobspits · 05/10/2015 23:03

If you're worried call NHS. They will never mind you calling about such a small baby.

It's more than likely just the side effect of his vaccination.

nilbyname · 05/10/2015 23:05

Nhs direct will triage you and ask questions like-

Is he breathing normally
Does he have good colour round his lips
Is he wetting nappies regularly
Is he bright and alert as he normally would be, can you wake him easily
Does he have a rash

How does he seem to you apart from the fever?

Call 111. You'll feel better talking to an operator, and then the DR will call you back.

Calliou · 05/10/2015 23:08

If his fever was 37.5 an hour ago, it just shows the paracetamol was helping and it just wearing off.

Give the next dose when it's due. The men B does make their fevers really high but it passes. Keep him comfortable, strip him off to his nappy, lots of skin to skin and keep offering feeds.

If your worried call the out of hours or nhs direct.

ShowOfHands · 05/10/2015 23:09

If a baby is under 3 months and has a fever over 38, you need to consult somebody. Guidelines are over 38 for a less than 3 month old and over 39 if between 3 and 6 months. The NHS website backs this up.

It is more than likely the vaccine but I think you need to speak to somebody for reassurance.

TakesTwoToTango · 05/10/2015 23:19

38.1 is a bit of a fever yes, but not terribly high, please don't panic. It's so hard to judge when it's your first, I remember it well.

A bit of a temp after jabs (esp men b) is normal and not anything to worry about. Just keep an eye on him and as pps have said, give him some infant paracetamol and regular feeds. It's not recommended any more to strip them right off or put them in a cool bath or anything as it can stop them regulating their temperature effectively, but you might want to reduce the number of layers he's wearing and the amount of bedding he's sleeping under.

To give a bit of context, doctors often won't really consider it a fever unless it's 38.5 or over, and even then won't give any advice other than the above unless there are any other concerning features.

Some children just get warmer than others (I have one who only goes above 37 when really poorly and one who hits 39 with the merest hint of a sniffle) so once he's better, you may want to take his temp regularly for a bit to establish what is 'normal' for him.

In terms of when to seek medical advice, I'd say as a guide do so if you are worried (for your benefit usually rather than his!) no doctor will mind checking such a young baby, if he is presenting any other concerning symptoms eg rash, abnormal moaning/inconsolable crying/high pitched wailing, if he is not alert when awake or is excessively sleepy/difficult to rouse from sleep in circumstances when he would normally be awake. For such a young baby I would also call 111 for advice of his temp goes above 39 (even if none of the above symptoms applies), and I'd always seek advice for a child with a temp hitting 40+.

Hope that helps as a general (non medical but fellow mum) guide.

Katieemilyxo · 05/10/2015 23:32

After his third dose when can I give him more as person said only three doses at the injections

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Gunpowder · 05/10/2015 23:39

I'm with Showy on this one and would contact your out of hours service (if you have one). DD2's temp went above 38 at a similar age and they wanted to see her. It's probably just the menB but always best to check with tiny ones.

Calliou · 05/10/2015 23:40

Striping him off and doing lots of skin to skin will help regulate his breathing, heart rate and blood pressure which are the all the things we worry about with fevers. He's a newborn so lots of benefits from skin to skin and to reassure for him too.

Regarding more paracetamol, I would call the out of hours and discuss giving him more paracetamol and get their advice. I would speak with a doctor as he's only 9 weeks old. Three doses are the guidelines, then you should discuss with professional really for a fuller assessment.

Katieemilyxo · 05/10/2015 23:41

Thank u for all ur help being 17 and him being My first I'm finding it hard on what I can do x

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Gunpowder · 05/10/2015 23:45

It's horrible when they have fevers. I'm in my thirties and find it hard too. Sounds like you are doing a great job. I'd do what Cailliou says at 23.40 and call the doctor for advice, no one will be cross.

Katieemilyxo · 05/10/2015 23:47

Think I'm going to I'm keeping him in his vest and nappy with his blanket over his legs keeping the room cool just gave him his third calpol but what can I do after as I was only advice three 2.5 doses can he have more in 24 hours?x

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Gunpowder · 05/10/2015 23:49

You shouldn't give them a 4th dose without speaking to a doctor or

Gunpowder · 05/10/2015 23:50

Pharmacist until they are 3 months.

Calliou · 05/10/2015 23:54

Call the out of hours GP for advice and get a plan for what to do if the fever comes back.

Three doses are new guidelines with the men B, as regular paracetamol is not recommended in babies under 3 months old, which is why it's important to speak to somebody medical.

Gunpowder · 05/10/2015 23:55

Actually just read this (from this NHS leaflet

What if my baby still has a fever after having had the three doses of paracetamol? Some babies may still develop fever after vaccination, even after having three doses of paracetamol. In the 48 hours after vaccination, if your baby still has a fever but is otherwise well, you can continue to give your baby the same 2.5 ml dose (60mg) of infant paracetamol (120mg/5ml) suspension.
• Youshouldalwaysleaveat least four hours between doses and never give more than four doses in any 24 hour period.
You should also keep your baby cool by making sure they don’t have too many layers of clothes or blankets, and give them lots of fluids. If your baby is breast-fed, the best fluid to give is breast milk.

Gunpowder · 05/10/2015 23:58

But I think given the over 38 temp and that you can give maximum of 4x 2.5ml doses in 24 hours I would definitely call OOH as suggested above.

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