Fever - advice

[Miss.September]

This week DD has been struggling along with a sinusy head cold. It hasn't bothered her too much, but she's pretty much had a blocked nose, she's complained of being saw along her cheekbones, sore throat and sneezing lots. Over Friday and Saturday, there were hardly any symptoms at all, still a bit stuffy in her nose, but otherwise okay. She's been on panadol.

Last night she started to get hot, burning forehead, burning under her arms, very lethargic and grizzly. She vomited at dinnertime (she hadn't eaten much more than some weetbix and cake through the day) and just felt hot. Gave her panadol and wiped her face down with a cold cloth and took her temp. Was 39.1. She normally sits between 36 - 37.

Took her to the local 24/7 clinic and was told it was a 3 hour wait. Moved on to the ED at RCH where we were told by the triage that a fever is nothing to be concerned about and panadol wouldn't do much anyway. She also told other people that convulsing in a todder isn't anything to be concerned about. Hmmm.

So we waited in ED and DD slowly picked up. She cooled off (wasn't drinking anything) and started to play with another little girl who had the same symptoms. After a couple of hours her fever came back, but not the lethargy. She was clammy and sweaty, but cheerful.

We finally got to go in and see someone. Nurse took her temp and it was 37.5 and then when the doctor came in about half an hour later, it was down to 36.2. Her ears, throat and chest were clear, her heart was beating fine, and there were no sign of anything being wrong other than the doctor noticing her glands are up. She said it could be just the cold she's had leaving her, or a viral thing, but keep my eye on her for the next few days and if she's still bad then they'll try for a urine test.

This morning she's gotten up and she's burning again, but she's playing away. She's eaten toast, yoghurt and had some milk.

So should I be worried about this fever? My plan for the day is to give her panadol every four hours and have a chill out day on my bed watching movies (coolest room in the house) with as much water as she'll take. Any other suggestions?

[Traveller]

The best advice I was ever given was to treat the child, not the temperature. So if she is happy and comfortable but has a fever I wouldn't even necessarily give panadol unless she was reacting to the fever (ie miserable, off her food). But that's just a personal decision I make. Other than that your plan sounds good and I'm sure she will love a day chilling out with you Hopefully it's just a short lived virus and she will be over it soon.

[bubno.3]

Well I would ignore the 'convulsion in kids' remark what a stupid thing to say ....
I treat the symptoms as well ... When they're hot cool them down when they're cold warm them up and yes I would guve her panadol around the clock .....

[Miss.September]

Thank you. Seems we're on the right track.

Yeah, I was a bit concerned about the convulsions comment too. Seems a bit of a strange thing to say.

[OceanPrincess]

Hope she picks up again soon hun. Listen to your instinct, what's your mummy instinct telling you?

[Janie71]

I agree with PP treat the child don't be too concerned with the temp. Lethergy is one thing I have always been told to be wary of.

Oh and as the mother of a child who has had 10 febrile convulsions in since she was 11 months old, what a seriously stupid comment to make. Although it is considered a benign condition it is so scary to see and if a child has never had one before you should always get them looked at.

Hope she is feeling better soon xxx

[MummyNaomi]

Hope she picks up soon. Iceblocks work a treat here when I am trying to keep Master B hydrated, but a nice lazy day watching some movies and relaxing sounds like the perfect tonic Mummy x

[diannescruffy]

You are doing all the right things hun, hope she is feeling better soon xxx.

Regards,
Dianne

[diva det]

yup some great advice allready
fevers are your body fighting whatever is attacking it
plenty of fluids, perhaps even some vitamin C and zinc as well- you can get chewable ones from the supermarket
even a juice high in vitamin c could help
rest rest rest to repair the body and fuel to fight it
hugs and hope she feels better soon

[Miss.September]

Well we've both been chilling out in bed for the past few hours, changing from watching movies to hiding in the sheets and pretending it's a tent

She's bright enough today so feel like this is the right thing to do. Thanks so much for all the advice.

[Miss.September]

Okay, the fever has gone but now she has a very mild/faint rash on her tummy and her back. She's been a bit off today, but has eaten okay. Could the rash be this bug leaving her or something else? When I took her clothes off for a shower, she had a little scratch but nothing major and it's not bothering her with clothes over it. Turns white when touched.

ETA - she did have some OJ this morning and she never drinks juice (her choice lol). She gets a rash if she has apples but this was only orange and mango.

[OceanPrincess]

It is most likely a viral rash hun - sometimes kids get them when they are at the end of a virus.

Don't worry too much about it if it blanches when you press it, like you said. It's the ones that don't turn white that you have to worry about.

[Miss.September]

Thanks OP xx

[HotI]

My DD got that rash after a fever illness a few months back. I took her to hospital cos i was worried, but they said same as OP and the rash went away by itself.

Hope this is the end of it for you.

xx

[Miss.September]

Thanks HotI. It's faded a lot today and she's much happier. xx