When should I panic about dd's high temp? Help!

[Hayls]

Dd has been a bit snuffly and coughing loads for a couple of days. Nursery phoned last night to say her temp was 38.2 so they gave her Calpol, which didn't help but we picked her up straightaway and took her home. During the night her temp ranged from 38.2 to 39.9, despite wearing only a nappy, no covers and the window open. I spoke to the out of hours service twice but they weren't too concerned and gp wouldn't give me an appt until the triage nurse phoned me to assess dd's needs- she will do this before 10. She's crying all the time and doesn't want to eat and her cough isn't loosening up at all.
I'm so worried about dd, she's really not herself but it's as if nobody is listening to me. She is 22months and has never really had a high temp before-it's normally very low.
Any advice much appreciated

[northerner]

You can give calpol and baby Nurofen together to bring down a temp.

Sponge her down.

[Epiffany]

high temps in themselves are not usually too much of an issue short term my kids both had ranges
but if your dd has that tight couigh that is not loose, I'd get an appt, sounds very much like she may have a chest infection, there are TONS going round at the mo, she may even have a throat problem, tonsilitis is RIFE at the mo as well.
Appalling you cannot get in straight away to give you peace of mind.

[hayleylou]

My DD is the same at the mo but she has been coughing up green flem.... Took her to doctors yesterday and her temp was still high so she has some antibiotics.. she is 17 months. Not nice seeing her like this

[Epiffany]

PS you're doing all the right things with her temp too...

[Hayls]

I'm giving her nurofen and clapol but have run out of nurofenand can't go out until nurse has rung back. It's now 38.5

[Lonelymum]

38.5 isn't too high in the scale of things Hayls. It sounds to me like you have the temperature reasonably under control. And don't worry that she won't eat either: they never want to eat when they have a high temperature. Try to offer fluids at this stage.

She might have a secondary infection following on from her cough/cold so you might like to get her seen by a doctor (could be ears or chest etc) but don't worry too much about the temperature as such as that doesn't sound too bad right now. (My ds2 regularly used to shoot up to the high 39/low 40s!

[Hayls]

NUrse just rang and she will see her at 12.40. I'm just a total panicker, plus I@ve had to take today off when I@ve got loads on (I only worl 1 1/2 days per week) and dh had an important job interview this morning and had no sleep last night. The nurse said it sounded like her chest had become infected. Surely she can't prescribe antibiotics or anything else though?
Thanks for your advice- Lonelymum, that actually reassured me. Hayleylou, hope your dd gets better soon.
I hate seeing her unwell, I would do anything if I could.

[Lonelymum]

If she needs ABs hayls, the nurse can alway get a doctor to sign off a prescription for you. The ABs will make a huge difference very quickly if there is a secondary infection. And don't worry about being overly panicky - I would be too if my children were ill. I am only this assured because it is not my child who is ill and I have had 4 and seen many illnesses so you do get a bit used to it!

[dinny]

Hayls, ds is exactly the same. Am taking him to dr this morning. Think it's prob a cold but best to check. Hope she cheers up soon.

[dinny]

oh, really? where do they start usually? can't remember...