Calpol and Nurofen

[Tinseltastic100]

Hi, my 15 mo has had a horrible virus for a few days. We have been giving Calpol and Nurofen as needed, following the instructions so no more than 4x or 3x in 24 hours as he's been in pain with the sore throat and has had a temperature at times. Today I read the packet again and both say don't continue to give it for more than 3 days without speaking to a doctor. I'm hesitant to take him to the doctor as they were less than sympathetic last time I took him with a cough and temperature and basically said don't come back unless it's gone on for 5 days . We're on day 4 today. My feeling is he is getting better slowly but I still want to give him something if he seems in pain and not able to settle as it seems worse at night. I just wondered if there is any harm to give Calpol or Nurofen more than 3 days and why it says this on the packet?

There’s no harm. It says that on the packet because if after 3 days your little one still has a fever it may be something more serious that warrants further testing rather than just masking the fever.

(I had the same question when my baby was cutting his molar and I asked the pharmacist about giving calpol or nurofen for more than 3 days and she told me the above)

Thanks, I thought it would just be something like that. The lo is also teething so it's a double whammy, I feel so sorry for him.

It's equivalent to you taking paracetamol and ibuprofen. Plenty of people suffering with bad colds/viruses would take some painkillers for several days and not really think much of it!

NHS guidance says "If your child has a sore throat for more than 4 days, a high temperature and is generally unwell, see a GP." But realistically it's hard to tell if a 15 month old has a sore throat isn't it, and what is a GP going to do about it. Likely say it's a virus and it will get better in time.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/colds-coughs-and-ear-infections-in-children/

It's the pharmaceutical companies covering themselves. So long as he is improving I would do the same as you and would continue managing at home. Any concerns/worsening head to the GP.