3 year old unwell

[Spookilyspectaular]

My 3 year old started to become poorly on Friday afternoon, just seemed a slight cough but what felt like a really high temp. We only have an ear thermometer and she doesn’t let me near her with it these days but she felt burning to touch. Yesterday she developed a cough and a runny nose so obviously she has a cold. She has obviously had a rough night, since waking at 5 she has drunk threee big cups of water so I guess that’s good (or is it because she is dehydrated she is trying to catch up) and is so hot we have taken her clothes off and she has layed wipes over herself to cool herself down. I have given calpol and she is laying in our bed drifting in and out of sleep. Has anyone got any amazing tips on how to make her more comfortable? Thank you.

Plenty of fluids , food if she wants it , monitor temp if it's very high and not coming down with meds seek medical advice. Try nurofen and calpol.

The advice now is not to use cold flannels etc on the skin as it can cause the body to work harder to warm up and actually cause a spike in temperature. Stripping off is ok as long as it's not too cold, otherwise I'd stick a loose t/shirt on, or light sheet. Lots of fluids, calpol and ibuprofen if she can have it.

You really take her temperature to see if she needs medical attention.

Check the list below and if she has any get immediate medical attention, straight to A and E.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/

You need to take her temperature, she can also have paracetamol and ibuprofen to get the temperature down. I know it's not nice for her to have her temperature taken but you really do just need to get on with it, it's over in seconds lots of cuddles afterwards.

No more cold wipes as they will actually raise her body temperature. Strip her off and get rid of the blanket if she has one. Calpol and brufen to get the temp down you could also open the window as well as that's indirect and shouldn't make a difference to raising her temperature.

Sounds like she's got a nasty bug

Thank you for all of your advice. Wipes have been removed and I will get her temperature when she stirs again. I guess it’s just that time of year when all the nasty bugs rear their ugly heads.

Take it whilst she's sleeping, it's easier

Yeah definitely do it whilst sleeping! Just pop it in her ear and press. She might not even wake up. When I do obs on my patients over night 80% of the time they don't even stir.

I’m back, the advice whilst taking the temp worked a dream. It is high though, it goes between 38.6 and 39.2. Today she is like it again, won’t eat, doesn’t want to drink. When do I know that enough is enough and to get an appointment for her? This will be the fourth day of her being unwell.

alternate paracetamol and calpol - so ever three hours take one or the other, seems to work better that way. Windows open and just in a vestie or leggings and a T. A cold can last 3 to 10 days so it s up to you but I would take a look at her as a whole - miserable, temp steady but high (or whatever) and generally OK and not take her - keep her drinking water maybe a novelty straw or something or icecubes, or how about an ice lolly etc. If you think there is more variance in temp and she is not coping or she is floppy or dev a rash then clearly needs seeing. Fingers crossed its nothing but a cold

Calpol is paracetamol, but you can alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen. Has she had either of them @Spookilyspectaular? Plenty of fluids and keep her stripped down to light clothing.

Thank you for your reply. Really helpful. Unfortunately I can’t get her to entertain any calpol or nurofen so not sure how I can deal with that? Novelty straw is a good idea, will have a search through the cupboard. On a selfish not I’m not sure how much more CBeebies I can endure!

Ice lollies if she won’t drink

Yes, ice lollies are very useful for keeping fluid levels up.

Chicken pox is about - if any signs of spots DO NOT give Nurofen/Ibuprofen. Paracetamol based products only.

4 days and no improvement? I'd pop in to the local pharmacist see if they can take a look and perhaps may have ideas/products to help with taking calpol/paracetamol.