High temperature

One Friday (18th July) Abi was very tired and limp in the morning, not her usual self. By lunchtime she was too tired to eat and had to be fed. A temperature above 39 deg C alarmed her mother, Panadol administered and observation commenced. Abi went to bed. We cancelled going to dinner at Belfield to see Chris' cousin Cecilia from ACT.

The next day was Siem's birthday party, and Abi was looking forward to going as a fairy. But her temperature was still high, even with panadol and nurofen, and even Abi agreed that she was too sick to go and didn't want to spread germs to the others there. She accepted this without fuss.

On Sunday when Abi's temperature hit 40.5 degrees with one of the 2 drugs in her system led to parental decision to take her to a doctor at Balmain Hospital GP clinic. After waiting 2 hours the doctor saw Abi and diagnosed tonsillitis. Chris drove around a 5pm looking for a pharmacy that carried liquid phenoxypenicillin untile Priscilla found it at Annandale Pharmacy.

However despite taking 2 days' worth Abi's temperature had not fallen. A visit to our regular GPs at Leichhardt General Practice (Dr Heron) led to a revised diagnosis: influenza or if it doesn't clear within 5 days, pneumonia. There was no angry red throat and the presence of a phlegmy cough should have ruled out tonsillitis. The penicillin would have initial effect on the virus but would not kill it off. A pre-emptive referral was written for a chest x-ray, and in the morning parental decision was made to get this done as Abi was still quite hot. despite drugs and sleeping in a singlet.

Abi was very brave travelling while sick. She was in good spirits when not too hot. Waiting room TV was given the flick by mum (trashy american daytime movie) and Abi played with the toy box. However when it was her turn to go into the x-ray area she became frightened. Having had it explained to her meant little when faced with a big machine she had to stand in front of. The operator gave Priscilla a lead apron so that she could hold Abi's hand during the x-ray process (very quick). Longer time spent still unclothed for the radiologist to check his film was not blurry, then we received the film to take with us. Report to be faxed to doctor.

Next was lunch at a cafe, but Abi was quite tired by then. She didn't eat anything and got quite hot. Not time yet for another Nurofen so went to the GP appointment to review the x-ray.

Thankfully the report did not say pneumonia. Only a slight infection was visible. But Dr Lajoie wanted Abi to see a doctor for daily review until she was better.

That night Nurofen was administered 6 hourly by Chris who continued his week long sleeping by Abi's bedside. Thankfully her temperature stayed below 39 deg C and even made it below 38 deg C. Good sign for recovery (in 7 days). Dr Heron pronounced Abi on the way to recovery and despite clearing phlegm from throat and nose would be okay for normal routine next week.

Abi went home and slept for 3 hours. The next few days she willingly took a nap and slept for 2-3 hours each time. Her temperature fell to below 38 deg C, then stayed at 37 deg with no medication. Por Por could take a well earned break from coming to our house to help look after the children.