Stupid question about toddler temperature and calpol

[Parkopedia]

Just wondering what counts as a temperature that 'doesnt come down with calpol'

I know I'm being completely dim but is it, if the temp doesn't come down after one dose? Or how long would you keep trying before starting to worry?

DD (17 months) temp was 38.5 this morning and I gave calpol at 8am. She was ok but clearly under the weather all day. Gave calpol again at 3.30, but then her temp at 5.30 was 39! She asleep on me now...

So I feel like this is a temperature that is not coming down. What would you do in this situation? Ring 111? Wait and see if she sleeps it off?

I'm home alone with her and no car, just feeling helpless, worried with strep A flying around but equally don't want to drag her to urgent care or anything if it's something she'll get over at home....I'm usually very rational but I've lost my head! Experienced mums, what do you do with your toddlers and temperatures? :(

I wouldn’t panic, although worth calling 111

Another dose of Calpol should bring it down.

Have you got ibuprofen? Sometimes that works when paracetamol (Calpol) doesn't. I would call 111 if neither worked but what does your gut tell you? Is she eating, drinking, playing or totally listless?

Do whatever you think is right but if it were me I’d wait. Give nurofen at the time for the next dose if you have it. I’d seek medical advice tomorrow if it still hasn’t come down and/or there are any other symptoms that worry you.

Have you only given 2 doses?
If paracetamol hasn't reduced her temperature you could try ibuprofen to see if that helps

www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/taking-paracetamol-for-children-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/

Calpol every 4hrs. Passive cooling, minimal clothing no thick blankets/duvets etc…

Calpol will only work for a few hours, so by 5:30, from an 8am dose its effect will have completely worn off. Take her temp an hour after her last dose and then you will be able to see if it’s having an effect.

Calpol isn’t as effective at reducing fevers as ibuprofen, so if she is still over 38.5 then I would give her a dose of that as well.

Calpol should reduce her temp within an hour or so of giving it to her. So check approx an hour after you gave it to see it is lower (it won't necessarily be under 38 it just needs to be lower than it was, ie its responding to calpol) if her fever is still raging after you gave the calpol, ie calpol did nothing, this is when you call 111 for advice / possible visit to a&e maybe even 999 depending on how she is (is she responsive, breathing OK or is she mottled / flopping / breathing laboured..). Usually calpol brings a temp down for a bit and makes them a bit more comfortable. It will come back up. If it keeps coming back for more than 3 days (depending on age of child) you also need to seek medical attention

Give at regular intervals. 4 - 6 hours. Alternate with ibuprofen..

I wouldn't worry too much at this stage.

Keep going with calpol 4 times a day if she's as bad as she sounds.
Add in some ibuprofen (nurofen, I think as a brand for kids, but others exist) if needed.

By not coming down they mean if you take the temperature before medication, and half an hour later, has the reading got lower? It will almost certainly be back high again before it's time for the next dose when they are really ill.

Thank everyone - I do have ibuprofen so will give that at the next dose.

She's just sat up projectile vomited all over me, and gone back to sleep on my shoulder (after a change for both of us!)

Checked for rash, blue lips, breathing etc - seems like she just needs to sleep it off to be honest.

She's rarely Ill so im not very experienced in what to do.

Cal poly is maximum 4x day, ibuprofen 3 x day.
temperatures are not a bad thing as long as they are hydrated and behaving appropriately.

What is supposed to happen:

• Child has temp: give calpol
• Temp lowers due to calpol
• Calpol wears off, temp increases
• give calpol
• Temp lowers due to calpol

and the circle continues.

If her temp is consistently very high (like above 40), and calpol or ibuprofen doesn't make her comfortable, that is cause to seek medical intervention.

If you think she just needs to sleep it off, then continue to monitor her temp and give doses as required. If you are genuinely worried, call 111 and they can have a nurse or doctor give you advice.

When my toddler had a temp, I wasn't worried for his health - it just broke my heart to see him looking and feeling so miserable. He did just need to sleep it off and after a few days felt much better.

I would say you don’t know if her temperature has come down as you didn’t take her temp at 3.30 when you gave calpol. At 3.30 her temp may have been 40c and then when you took it at 5.30 it was 39 that would mean the temperature has come down.