38.4 temperature in toddler

[CeeChynaa]

DD is 2 years old. We went to soft play earlier today and she started shivering out of nowhere. I touched her head and she was really hot so we left. I could tell she was quite tired so thought she just needed to rest.

Fast forward to now, she’s had a nap but doesn’t seem herself at all. Hasn’t eaten her dinner and has only had a few sips of water. Ate a few grapes and that was it. I took her temperature twice. It was 38 degrees at 18:45 and then 38.4 degrees at 20:00. I gave her some Calpol and she went to bed.

Her dad is quite concerned. Is this something to worry about or just monitor overnight and see how she is in the morning? Thanks guys

Hope she bounces back. We've had a week of 38+ temps and got a GP apt today (always over Xmas shutdown isn't it!) and got antibiotics for an ear infection. I normally leave a temp to do its thing unless they're in pain which mine was this time due to the ear. So yes I think you're doing the right thing, just keep an eye tonight

@CeeChynaa in that case I would get the 6+ paracetamol which is more concentrated and you would only need 3.6ml for 180mg rather than 7.5ml

It needs medication

You syringe it slowly into the side of her mouth

I'd give calpol and wouldn't worry too much tbh.

My child is quite medically vulnerable and has been admitted for bugs many times.

I start to get medical help if her temperature is above 40 (or 39 when medicated), v high heart rate/respiration, or if its been several days.

38.4 and I'd be making contingency plans in case she got worse (just because of vulnerability and history), but I'd still classify it as a mild bug with low grade fever.

I hope she's feeling better in the morning. It's not nice when they are ill :-(

You’d have a fight on your hands trying to put a syringe into my Autistic DD’s mouth!

I’m regretting ever mentioning how much Calpol I gave her now🫣 thanks for the help guys

You can use the 6+ Calpol as you need less. Been a lifesaver here. Daughter is 2 and we give 3.5ML (she's a big 2 year old so you may need less) Recommend by several drs to do this!

Ibuprofen is better at getting a temp down x

Thank you for the 6+ Calpol tip, I’ll certainly look into that.

DD has a temperature of 39 degrees at the moment however she’s shivering a lot. I’m just about to give her a bath to see if she cools down and hopefully some Nurofen which I doubt she’ll take.

I’m considering calling the GP but I’m not sure if I’ll be wasting their time as she only started to have a temperature from yesterday. I may call 111 later on today if the temperature gets any higher. She’s not eating any food either:(

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng143/chapter/Recommendations#antipyretic-interventions

Honestly call the gp sooner than later. 111 is going to tell you to go to a&e or go. Does she have an obvious source of a temp? Runny snotty nose or other cold symptoms? Try with the nurofen I know it’s hard (paeds a&e nurse fffor over a decade). Is she drinking and having regular wet nappies?

wouuldnt advise a bath. Light clothing, cool roo and and fluids is best. Ice lollies icecream can count as fluids too

Don't give her a bath to cool her down but Def speak to a GP 111 for advice.

Hope she's better soon OP X

@Wishiwasatailor I had to give her a bath as that’s part of her usual routine, she’d be extremely upset if she didn’t have a bath! Doesn’t appear to be drinking any water but I’ll try her with juice and see if that makes a difference. Won’t eat anything cold like ice cream or ice lollies unfortunately.

She has no runny nose, doesn’t even have a cough or anything so I don’t know where the fever has come from. I’ll give the GP a call now.

Thank you! @WonkyBricks

ah ok that’s understandable then just be careful she doesn’t get too cool too quick. Good plan getting in touch with the gp as she has no obvious source of infection and she’s not drinking it’s best to get it checked out as may be bacterial tonsilllitis, uti etc.
let the receptionist know she’s had reduced oral intake and output, high temps but no cold/flu symptoms.

if they prescribe antibiotics ask for the most concentrated solution as she struggles with medicines. Hope she’s feeling better soon x

Thank you for your advice @Wishiwasatailor I’ve kept on eye on her temp and she’s still quite warm. I had a call back from our GP who’s very good. He’s asked to see DD asap so I’m currently getting ready to take her there now. She hasn’t had anything to drink today and not even a crumb of food so I’m sure she feels extra rubbish inside

I got advised to medicate by my gp. Registrar and doctor in hospital, and paramedics. I'm obviously going to listen to them

Turns out DD has an infection in her throat along with some swelling. This is most likely what’s causing the temperature and her lack of eating. The GP is aware that it’s difficult to get any medication down DD but he did prescribe some antibiotics for us to try with her anyway. He did a full body check and no other concerns there.

He’s also given some advice on when to take her to A&E if needed. I’m quite glad I started this thread which was initially to reassure her dad that she was okay. DD has had an apple pie and some fruit shoot so that’s better than nothing! She’s still really hot but currently having a lie down in her bed. Thank you all! X

I was just about to post to say that the calpol dose increases at 2! Saw the update, glad she’s doing ok. My almost 2 yr old has a lot of ear infections and averages a temp between 38.5-39 with them. It once went up to 40 and that’s when I got really worried. Glad to see your DD is taking fluids 😊 good luck!

@CeeChynaa

'No clue where the mention of seizures came from'

Try googling 'febrile convulsion' and you'll see that's why it was mentioned.

@Rosiiee thank you for the well wishes! She’s usually has a common cold due to nursery but she’s never had a temperature before so it was a bit worrying. Hopefully she’ll be on the mend within a few days🤞

@Princesspollyyy no need for the snarky response. It was mentioned by a pp in the first few comments which I missed. Thanks for your ever so helpful comment. Not

@CeeChynaa

Not snarky at all? Just pointing out fact.

Aw your GP sounds great, so glad you got seen this morning. Hope the antibiotics kick in quickly!

Thanks so much @WonkyBricks ! My GP is really good, I’m so lucky to have him. He’s been my GP for about 15 years so I’m quite grateful that he can oversee DD. She’s still sleeping but I’m sure she’ll wake up soon. Will hope for the best with the antibiotics🤞

And the advice to pass on, in that case, is to take medical advice specific to your child. The guidelines specifically advise against it. I've raised two DC who had febrile seizures and was taught never to medicate to prevent them (by paramedics, GPs, specialists etc). It's okay to share your experience, but you need to be careful not to offer medical advice for all.

Anyway, fingers crossed for a good, sleep-good-filled night and a swift recovery op. It's the absolute pits when they're unwell.

Interesting the different advice that doctors give. My DD recently had her first febrile convulsion (occurred the 2nd time she had a fever) and we were advised to medicate at the first sign of a temperature. I’m cautious about doing a bath while she had a fever as we did one when she only had a mild fever (38 degrees) and it led to her shivering and having the convulsion later that night. The bath was normal temp so we weren’t trying to cook her down or anything, we were just doing the normal bed time routine. Could just be a coincidence that it happened after the bath.