When do you call a doctor about a temperature

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My toddler is 2 so you’d think I know this by now but I really can’t seem to understand. I totally understand a temperature is beneficial as it’s how the body fights infection etc., and I understand antibiotics are useless against viral infections. When toddler has had sickness bugs and stuff that’s obviously a viral infection e.g hand food and mouth I feel confident in knowing what I’m sort of doing.

But when he gets general high temperatures I have no idea at what point I call a doctor. There’s been 4 times previously where he’s had a general high temp and I’ve just let it run it’s course and he just gets worse and worse until we end up 4-5 days later at the docs and they diagnose ear infection/tonsillitis/chest infection and give antibiotics. It feels like it’s very rare that he has a general high temp that he fights off himself.

So my question is, when do you call docs? He’s ill again now, started with a temp last night but he’s mostly okay in himself, however I feel like I’m just waiting now for days until I ring the doctors and they then prescribe him antibiotics. I obviously don’t want him to have them unless he really truly needs them, but I just have 0 knowledge of what the right thing to do is and when to call doctors.

It depends how high the temp and what other symptoms. If he’s not dehydrated and it’s not sky high, I’d just be watching and waiting as I think that’s all a GP would suggest anyway. They just catch so many bugs and viruses while they’re this little and whilst some will be infection that needs antibiotics, loads won’t and will clear themselves. It’s so tough though - you have my sympathy!

I would say if it is unusually high and/or if it's not being controlled/brought down by Calpol/ibuprofen and/or other concerning symptoms.

If he is otherwise well (www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/is-your-baby-or-toddler-seriously-ill/) then I would treat with Calpol and give it 3-5 days. Although you have needed lots of antibiotics before it is still most likely to be viral and if so fever should have settled by then.

With my own kids, I tend not to call the doctor until it’s been ~4 days, but (thankfully!) it’s extremely rare. In fact, it’s only ever happened twice - both roseola.

That said, if your DC has recurrent ear infections I’d probably call sooner and feel zero guilt about doing so. My DSIS used to get crazy ear infections several times a year. My 3 DCs have never had one ever. I think some kids are just unlucky or more susceptible. And their parents shouldn’t feel they need to hesitate getting them checked out by the doctor. I think Mumsnet has a tendency towards discouraging anyone from ever drawing on the NHS… but it can go a bit far.

My doc told us, look at the child rather than focusing on numbers. Of course if it’s sky high that’s different but I think if they look and act well it’s not as big a concern as a child that is clearly very unwell or dehydrated. I think instinct is very useful though and I agree completely, any time you are worried is good enough reason to get checked even if they seem grand but something feels wrong! I also agree if it can’t be controlled with meds that’s a very good reason to get checked also.

Temp lasting over 3 days with no improvement I'd call or if I just felt it was more of an infection than a virus.

Temperature over a certain number is A&E rather than doctor but I always have to look up the NHS article online.

There's a useful app called baby check by NHS you can use for young children under 5 or so.

With ds I worked on if it hit 40 he needed seeing asap. High temp below 40 if otherwise ok wait 48 hours with calpol (allergic to Brufen) but he has a number of medical conditions which mean I am probably over cautious

I for me it’s if your child is listless or crying in pain and medicine isn’t helping and it lasts more than a couple of days. I have primary kids and have never had to take them to the GP for infections so sounds like maybe your child is more prone to infections which maybe means I’d go earlier than I would with mine.

If it goes over 39 and I can't get it down within a couple of hours I seek medical advice (111/doc/walk-in centre). If it does come down I monitor closely in case it spikes again. If it hits 40 I would seek advice straight away, thankfully that's never happened yet.

Obviously there can be other red flags too (eg if they get non blanching spots, become listless, react to light etc) that you would need to seek medical attention for straight away - but for the temp that's what I do.

Good luck I hope he is better soon.

It depends on what else is going on - temp and fast breathing or hard work at breathing I would always go and be seen. Temp and fine - would wait & see.
Temp and not drinking/eating - would be seen.

Similarly temp & rash or temp & listless or any other red flags would be seen.

Links like this sepsistrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/GP-u5-NICE-final-1.pdf

Or this one is my preference: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng143/resources/support-for-education-and-learning-educational-resource-traffic-light-table-pdf-6960664333

Have helped me when deciding next steps - trust your gut and don't worry about getting help if you are worried -

Thank you everyone, his temp was sitting at 38.5 so not raging just high, although unsure how accurate my thermometer is. Comes down great with calpol and in fact this morning he doesn’t actually have a temp at all. Hopefully he’s fought this one off himself.