When would you take a toddler to the doctors?

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

I'm sitting debating whether to try and get an appt for my 18 mth old. She's our third child so you'd think we'd have it sussed by now!
She's had a high temp since Sunday - it peaks at about 39.8 overnight but is manageable with Calpol/ibuprofen. She's not eating much but is drinking. And ate a yogurt earlier. She's just so very sad and it seems a long time to have a temp for in my limited experience. I hate going to docs unnecessarily tho especially if she's contagious. I've also taken today off work and am twitchy about having to take another one without some sort of valid 'illness' as given by a doctor to my boss. which sounds awful I know but is obviously leaning me towards taking her but I recognise is not the best reason for it!

I would go about now. More than 5 days on calpol is my 'better get it checked' level.

Has she got any other symptoms - cough, sniffles, rash etc
Does she appear to have a sore throat, tummy ache etc?

If not it's probably just a virus which they can't do much about.

I'd call and ask for the doctor to call me back. Then I'd tell them about it and see if they wanted me to bring her in or not. Pharmacy can help too quite often

No other symptoms really, she does seem to be uncomfortable a lot of the time but that could just be her feeling crap than a specific pain? She's snotty but then generally is. Hmm. But yes it is a while to be taking calpol etc too isn't I

My ds had a temperature that kept peaking at night over several days and when I took him to gp he said that was indicative of an infection. Turned out he had an ear infection. Hope your ds feels better soon.

Yes I'd take her. That pretty high and a long time to not be getting any better

That's

I had this dilemma with toddler DD earlier this year. She didn't really have any symptoms (has been snotty since birth practically!) just temperature and grumpy and off food for over a week. I was reluctant to take her to the doctors because I thought they'd say it was just a virus and didn't want to waste an appointment.

Anyway, I took her and the GP said she had an ear infection, a mild chest infection and strep throat! She had AB's and was back to her old self after 48 hours. So I would take her if you are unsure and she isn't improving. Hope she feels better soon.

I think if there is no obvious symptoms it's sometimes better to take them as it could be something hidden like an ear infection or UTI.

I'd probably take her after so long having a temp, she probably has an infection somewhere that she isn't fighting off herself. It might be viral but I'd get it checked out. It's a good sign that paracetamol/ibuprofen is bringing the temp down though.

Lots of good points there thanks. She's gone to bed quite happily so I'm hoping it's passed. If not, I'll definitely be taking her in the morning in case it's an ear infection or similar: thanks

Awful night again so I'm talking her to the doctors this morning. What's the science behind their temperatures getting higher at night?

Out likely brcause the medication which is bringing their temperature down is wearing off as they are going longer between doses. Assuming your not waking her on a schedule to give medicine, which I wouldn't do either as my no one rule is never wake a sleeping child!
Hope your dd is feeling better soon.

• Most likely