Do you know what they call the fellow who finishes last in his medical school graduating class? They call him 'Doctor.' Abe Lemons (A.E. "Abe" Lemons was an American college basketball player and coach.)

My youngest is battling against tonsillitis for the third time in as many months.  Where his previous bouts consisted of cold type symptoms accompanied by white pus-filled spots, this time the main cause for concern is his raised temperature.  A temperature of 39.7C just two hours after taking paracetamol does not appear to concern his doctor, only his mother. 

Where his previous tango’s with tonsillitis produced a multitude of pus-filled spots, causing him a very sore throat but a relatively small rise in temperature, this episode has produced very few spots, but an excess of heat along with coughing and vomiting. 

The NHS 111 service has proved to be very helpful during the bank holiday weekend; their pre-appointment assessment was very thorough.  I would like to have said the same about the telephone conversation I had with the out of hour’s doctor but unfortunately, I cannot.  That particular doctor could not grasp the basic fact that my sons temperature quickly rises above 38C within two hours of taking either paracetamol or ibuprofen.  In our attempt to keep his temperature stable, we have been administering both types of drug alternatively but using up the maximum dosage allowed in a 24-hour period, in just twelve hours.  The doctor’s suggestion involved our trying to go longer between tablets.  She offered no alternative method for reducing temperature, nor did she advise us what are and are not acceptable rises in body temperature.  Honestly, I think she thought I was giving my son tablets just for the hell of it.

Thank goodness for the internet.  The internet has told me that temperatures of up to 40C are to be expected.  The internet has told me not to panic until it approaches 42C.  Neither of these two pieces of information were on the UK NHS website.  The NHS site only advises on young children’s raised temperatures.  However, the NHS website does say there are two types of tonsillitis – viral and bacterial.  Apparently, tests have to be done to determine the cause of infection, antibiotics being prescribed for a bacterial infection.  My son has not had any tests but he has been prescribed antibiotics.

After 57 hours the coughing, sickness and raised temperature continue.  My poor little lamb is excessively hungry but anything he eats returns at speed: ice cream, toast, soup, - noting stays down.  Once again, the internet suggests administering vitamin c, as well as providing plenty of fresh air.  The doctor gave no such advice.

If things do not improve over the next ten hours, I can return to my local doctor’s surgery – thrill.