Temp going up after calpol - 2 years old

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My daughter was fine this morning and woke from her nap flushed so I took her temperature and it was 38. She was fine in herself. I have her a dose of calpol and it went down to 37.3.

At 6pm (4 hours after the dose) her temp was up again and I gave her calpol again. However an hour after the dose her temperature has risen from 38 to 38.5. I have given her a half dose of Nurofen and she has just gone to bed. She was fine in herself and eating and drinking.

I tried to call out of hours but they just say call 111 and I haven't had the best experiences with them in the past.

What would you do? Monitor overnight or get her seen? It's the fact it's gone up after medicine that's scaring me.

How is she in herself? Awake, alert, playing and eating? I know it’s bedtime so it’s hard to say exactly, but if she didn’t have the temp would you be concerned?
If all the above seem ok I would give her another dose of either Nurofen or Calpol before she goes down (whichever is ok to take time-wise) and leave her. I wouldn’t wake her up unless you have something to drastically worry about (I.e a change in her breathing, she appears unwell or in pain whilst asleep etc). The body needs rest to fight any infection and a fever is a normal reaction to it.

Keep checking on her if you’re concerned but I wouldn’t wake a sleeping baby if you can help it. I’m sure she’ll be fine

See how she is an hour after the Nurofen - I always think it works better than Calpol on a high temp.

If it's up again I would call 111, but no need yet I don't think.

Does she have any symptoms of being unwell?

Thank you so much for replying.

She is fine in herself - before bed she was happy and playing normally. I wouldn't have been worried if it hadn't been for the temperature. She is asleep now but I'm going to go in soon and try to take her temperature again.

So you think let her sleep it off (if she does) and see how she is in the morning?

Yes, let her sleep it off, but if she still has a temperature in the morning, alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen doses, keeping in mind max doses of both of course.
It used to work really well for my dcs.

If just a temperature, yes, I personally would let her sleep it off. If you can, take it whilst she’s asleep and see how she goes. If it’s not coming down and going up to 40, perhaps call 111. Hopefully a nurofen/Calpol combo will do the trick - don’t forget you can give her both of these at the same time (not literally the same time but check the advice on the packet if you see what I mean). Calpol every 4hrs and Nurofen every 6hrs.

I'm going to say it, sorry.

She needs a Covid PCR test.

But also, try not to panic about her temperature. It's her immune system reacting to the virus / infection. If she seems fine in herself then I wouldn't worry too much.

This is the problem with modern thermometers they encourage people to consider a mild temperature as a bad thing when that is not really the case. The temperature increase is the body fighting off an infection of some kind. Unless she is showing signs of being ill such as lethargy, vomiting, refusing to eat and drink and alike then I would not worry too much.

Agree with @BlobbyBloo - a temperature isn’t a bad thing. Obviously not very nice, they can make you feel shoddy. But it is the body fighting off an infection, there is actually no need to medicate it down so long as it’s not up past 39. I always do give calpol etc as my children are usually miserable with fevers but there is technically no need.

Just keep an eye over night, she sounds well at the moment. Hopefully she’ll sleep it off whatever minor bug is annoying her immune system 🙏🏼

Why don’t you call 111 since that’s what you were advised to do? What harm can come of it? You’re clearly worried enough to post here

Calpol is pretty good at containing fever so I’d be a bit concerned that it’s still rising. Are you certain you are giving the full correct dose and at the correct intervals? With both paracetamol and the Neurofen, it’s ineffective and a bit confusing to give half doses so I’m not sure why you only have a half dose of Neurofen.

I’d call 111. And yes, a covid test may be recommended. If it were me, I’d also check closely for rash or stiff neck, aversion to bright lights etc when there is a fever.

The fact that she’s happy in herself when the calpol is working is a good thing. But she’s 2, you’re clearly worried, none of us have seen her or can properly advise, so just call 111.

I'd monitor overnight at that age. What was the reasoning behind only giving a half dose of neurofen?

She does need a covid test as that’s what any gp or 111 will advise

Don’t half dose nurofen - there’s no point. Alternate the doses and see how she is in herself. Awake, playing etc when she’s not asleep? Eating and drinking? Any pain?

It's not advised to give Calpol for a temperature anymore, for this exact reason. Her temperature is going down with the Calpol and then going back up, you need to know why she has the temperature in the first place. Artificially lowering it and potentially masking other symptoms can be a bad thing.

Yep she needs a full dose of Nurofen and check her temp regularly overnight. Wake to give her regular calpol and Nurofen if needed. I wouldn't panic. Surely she'll have had fevers before.

She will also need a PCR test tomorrow but obviously not a rush for that as long as you all isolate.

@Chainson that isn’t true. If the child isn’t bothered by the temperature they don’t advise giving medication. But given most kids feel rotten when they’re hot - it’s fine to give calpol. It doesn’t mask other symptoms in otherwise well and healthy children.

I've only ever once experienced temp not comimg down after calpol and it was septic arthritis. Doctor said it was a virus. It was scary. However mine wasn't fine and was crying. If the neurofen didn't bring it down I'd call 111 as that should def bring it down.

Agree with other posters a fever is good to fight illness, however these drugs usually do reduce a temp.

Agree with previous- she obviously needs a PCR and you need to isolate but you know that.

I was always told look at how the child is not the number. So if they are really lethargic and obviously poorly get then seen. But if they are hot and under the weather but drinking, playing etc the just give regular meds.

Good luck it can be pretty scary when they are poorly

I have spoken to 111 and during the call took her temperature again and it had gone down to 37.5 so I felt a bit silly calling them, but it was the fact it hadn't reduced with calpol that had me worried.

I'm going to check her again before we go to sleep (I probably won't sleep anyway!) as I don't want her getting too hot when the medication wears off.

I know she needs a PCR test.

Temperatures are always worse at night as the body’s level of cortisol is naturally as its lowest. I hope she feels better soon.