fevers in 12 month old ...

Joshua has a fever :(

he was very irritable yesterday afternoon (very whingey/crying etc) and not eating very much, but he's just cracked out his 4th tooth, so seemed to be nothing more ...

AFter we put him down for bed, he woke up a few times briefly at night, but was settling himself within 30-60 seconds, but on the 4th or 5th time, I got him up to check whether he was ok, as he normally sleeps right through (so teething or not, the waking multiple times was unusual.

I'm glad I got him up, because he had a temp of 39.5!

He gave him some water, a dose of panadol and then offered a bottle - and he drank the entire thing.

While he was drinking, we called Nurse on Call ... they were great, asked lots of questions, gave lots of advice, and long story short, they said to manage it at home, but call back or go to the Dr if he gets worse or we get too worried, etc.

He had two whole bottles (when he's normally asleep) and didn't chuck, so that side of things is ok, and he was down to 39.2 by the time we got off the phone.

Monitored overnight, and he was down to 36 - goodo. Then this morning, back to 39.4!

We've just had a warm bath and he's had 2 more bottles this morning, but he won't eat ... so apparently it can take 2-3 days for fever to go down, and we just keep giving him panadol, warm baths, monitoring his wet nappies and taking his temperature ...?

Not a goiod feeling :(

Yep, that sounds like what we've done before. I'm no doctor/nurse, but if he becomes limp/listless/unresponsive at any stage I'd seek medical attention (trust your gut - if you think an ambulance is warranted, call for one. The operator will assess with you how urgently it's required).

You can also alternate panadol with nurofen (they can be taken at the same time, but follow the dosages exactly), and nurofen will often last longer (closer to 8 hours as oposed to 4 for panadol).

I've been given conflicting advice about the baths too - the last time we called an ambo for my DD when she had a febrile convulsion (temp spiked too quickly), the paramedic recommended using lukewarm towels under the armpits. Other doctors/nurses have said go the baths.

Hope your little man is feeling better soon! :)

When we get a fever, it's the body's natural response to fighting an infection/illness. I wouldn't be too quick to jump to the pain killers, I would be more inclined to keep up his fluids and try and cool him naturally with tepid baths and facewashers first.
I read an article yesterday on parents overdosing their kids on paracetemol and ibuprofen. They recommended leaving a temp under 40degrees. I'm on my phone but can't link it sorry.

As a nurse, my first action for a fever with my DD is tepid washes. A tepid wash is NOT cold water - it's not exactly warm either. I use a facewasher and focus on the forehead, back of the neck, armpits, back of knees. These are the natural points where the body loses heat the quickest. Be careful not to drop the temp too quickly as this will cause them to shiver which, in turn, actually raises their body temp.

In regards to panadol and neurofen; neurofen only reduces a fever where it is caused by pain. If you feel that they are in so much pain that it warrants both panadol and neurofen being given, you will get better and longer results by giving them together at the same time. This is safe to do so (although neurofen should only be given with food or milk in the stomach). By alternating the two medications (I've seen many people say to do it 2 hourly) you actually cut the medication given earlier off before it reaches it's peak effectiveness. Whenever giving medication, make sure that you are giving the right dose at the right time. I've always kept a chart on the fridge when my DD is on medication. It tells us exactly when she needs her next dose and if a dose has been given. I also record how much she had. As a safeguard in my house (or perhaps because of my profession it's just easier for DH to hand it over to me!), I make ALL the medication decisions and administer them when I'm home. If I'm at work, DH follows the written instructions I leave. If I'm at work and he feels she needs panadol, he'll call and ask me if I agree or what else he can do.


Hon, try not to dwell on it. Remember, if you give him something orally (in the mouth) it is going to take an average of 20 min for it to work. So if you give panadol, don't take his temp for at least 30 min if you want accuracy ;) Don't just treat the fever, treat HIM. If he's got a temp but is happy, just let him be. Let him run around in shorts and T-shirt or singlet. But if you feel more comfortable giving him panadol, that's ok too. Just make sure you follow the directions to the letter and that you communicate with DH so only one of you gives him the panadol.

trust your gut and take him to the GP if you think he needs it. But I hope Joshua feels better soon. :hug:

MG

Keep an eye on it and if you are worried get to your GP. DD2 had roseola a couple of weeks ago. She had no symptoms but temps around 39-40. They hung around for 3 days and then 24 hours later she came out with a rash. Apparently it is one of the 5 viruses that have a rash in small children and nothing to worry about. Not saying this is what he has but he is about the right age.

I hope that they are gone now and he is back to his usual self!

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As a nurse, my first action for a fever with my DD is tepid washes. A tepid wash is NOT cold water - it's not exactly warm either. I use a facewasher and focus on the forehead, back of the neck, armpits, back of knees. These are the natural points where the body loses heat the quickest. Be careful not to drop the temp too quickly as this will cause them to shiver which, in turn, actually raises their body temp.

In regards to panadol and neurofen; neurofen only reduces a fever where it is caused by pain. If you feel that they are in so much pain that it warrants both panadol and neurofen being given, you will get better and longer results by giving them together at the same time. This is safe to do so (although neurofen should only be given with food or milk in the stomach). By alternating the two medications (I've seen many people say to do it 2 hourly) you actually cut the medication given earlier off before it reaches it's peak effectiveness. Whenever giving medication, make sure that you are giving the right dose at the right time. I've always kept a chart on the fridge when my DD is on medication. It tells us exactly when she needs her next dose and if a dose has been given. I also record how much she had. As a safeguard in my house (or perhaps because of my profession it's just easier for DH to hand it over to me!), I make ALL the medication decisions and administer them when I'm home. If I'm at work, DH follows the written instructions I leave. If I'm at work and he feels she needs panadol, he'll call and ask me if I agree or what else he can do.


Hon, try not to dwell on it. Remember, if you give him something orally (in the mouth) it is going to take an average of 20 min for it to work. So if you give panadol, don't take his temp for at least 30 min if you want accuracy ;) Don't just treat the fever, treat HIM. If he's got a temp but is happy, just let him be. Let him run around in shorts and T-shirt or singlet. But if you feel more comfortable giving him panadol, that's ok too. Just make sure you follow the directions to the letter and that you communicate with DH so only one of you gives him the panadol.

trust your gut and take him to the GP if you think he needs it. But I hope Joshua feels better soon. :hug:

MG

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wonderful post.

I dont think I can add anything more constructive...

Hope he feels better soon!

Big hugs to you both hun, how's he going? xx

thanks all.

He still has a fever :( still around 39 ...

DH took his temp a few times during the day (public holiday or no, I had to go in for work for a client gig...) and was saying that he was back around 36, 37, but then later he was 35.8 which seemed wrong, so I asked DH to take his temp again, and it was 37.8 and so when I got home, I took his temp and got 39.2 - meaning that I think DH was doing it wrong, and it's probably been in around 39 all day :(

he's not eating - a few grapes, but won't eat cheese, much bread, or anything else. but he's had most of 4 bottles, and is doing the right number of nappies, etc, and is playing etc. Just still whingey.

so it sounds like he's a bit uncomfortable - but mostly fine, and (please God!) will have his fever gone soon ...

we'll just keep up with the lukewarm cloths, mild baths, offering plenty of fluids, offer food, and hold off weaning until he's better again.

:( sorry to hear he still has a temp xoxox
hope he starts to be on the mend soon!