High fever!! FTM - Help!!!

[Newmumfeb2021]

Hello mums!

My baby has around 100-101 fever since this morning. Initially we thought it was over heating but turned out to be fever. He’s also teething so that might be the cause. How
Long should we wait before checking with GP? I’ve given him calpol twice. Recommended dosage.

I can’t access local GP after 12pm (they’ve made weird rule here) I’ve tried 111 but they just put me on hold.

I’ve heard A&E is also pointless as there will be long waiting hours.

Any suggestions? First time mum. Feeling worried.

What age is your baby?

Hi. He’s 7months and 2 weeks.

Teething won’t cause a fever it’s an old wives tale. It’s not a very high fever though does it come down at all with calpol? I definitely wouldn’t be concerned enough for A and E.

Presume you're likely to have been googling, have you looked at the NHS guidance for babies with a fever? www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

100 F = 37.7 C, 101 F = 38.3 C so that's only just into the fever territory, it's not actually that high.

The guidance sets out when to start to be more worried, if there's a rash, if they're dehydrated, if calpol isn't bringing the temp down. But otherwise a child can have a high temperature for several days before it's at the seek medical attention stage.

You could try speaking to a pharmacist if you're worried and want some reassurance, that's a similar sort of level to speaking to 111.

Yea I understand. The thing is that He’s not been taking his usual milk feed - just about 10-20 ml and a total of 60 ml since morning. instead of the normal 180ish ml at every instance. He’s also very sleepy. I guess as a side effect of fever. I’ll talk to a pharmacist. Thanks.

A&E is not pointless. They will triage and prioritise a baby.
If baby isn't feeding, temperature isn't coming down and is sleepy I would go to A&E as you will be seen.

I agree, a and e is not pointless if you can’t access medical care. When I was there with my baby I have been prioritised and seen very quickly.
I was told by a paediatrician there that there are some times a baby needs to be seen by a doctor:
If they are unusually lethargic, when you say he’s sleepy, is he wanting to take longer naps or is he difficult to wake? Is he alert?
If they are taking less than half their usual feeds which seems to be the case with your baby
If the temp isn’t being controlled

Is there any indication of what is causing the fever? It won’t be teething that’s a myth, especially if he’s showing other signs of being poorly like sleepiness and not feeding. If there’s no obvious cause like a cold I would want to have urine checked as soon as possible, my baby had a urine infection and it can make them feel really poorly and a fever is often the only symptom. I would call 111 as they will direct you where you can be seen by a gp or get a doctor to call you which a pharmacist can’t do.

A and E is not pointless at all. At our local A and E they would be accessed by a paediatrician. In this case I think GP or 111 is more appropriate.

See the link below for NHS advice
www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/