Best way to get temp down in a sleeping child

[missmapp]

DS1 ( 9) went to bed with a temp of 38.5. gave him calpol and a cool flannel, temp went down a bit, but now back up to 38.5 again. gave calpol at 8pm. have put cool flannel on his forehead, but he is fast asleep and it is too soon for more calpol.

What is the best thing to do? he has a cough/cold and it was his bday party tonight ( no temp before party, came on when we got home) so is also shattered.

any advice welcome, thank you

[anonforabit]

Can he have nurofen? I find it much better and longer lasting than calpol.

[catchingzeds]

I think the advice given now is not to treat the temp, I'd make sure his room isn't too hot, ensure he's not too wrapped up and leave a glass of water by the bed. I hope he feels better in the morning.

[Ziggyzoom]

What anon said.

[missmapp]

When could he have that if he had calpol at 8pm? We have nurofen. Never sure about overlapping times. He hasn't had anything else today as he was fine until bedtime.

[missmapp]

Thanks all.

Will open window a tad .

[anonforabit]

Can have both together don't worry, just remember interval between doses for nurofen is longer than calpol (I think 3 doses in 24 hours but check as I'm not sure)!

[MsMischief]

He can have nurofen at the same time as calpol. Is there any reason why you need to get his temp down? If there isn't I would let the fever do it's job.

[SwimmingMom]

You can put the cool flannel on other body parts that feel too hot - hands/feet/chest/back/back of neck etc. if you use multiple flannels it works even faster. Remove any thick duvet & put a simple cotton sheet.

And as other have said, use Ibuprofen as the next med. It can be given close to calpol ESP when calpol is not able to hold the fever down. After that you can give Nurofen every 6 hours & use Calpol in between if needed.

[missmapp]

No ms, only that I thought you should get a temp down!! don't have much medical knowledge! He isn't often unwell, so a bit concerned. Is it ok to leave temp if it is rising then? Should I keep checking? when is it too high? Past 40 ?

Sorry for so many quests, really not good medically!!

[BertieBotts]

I wouldn't worry. Temperature is a sign that his body's fighting the infection. Unless he's uncomfortable (which sleeping implies not :)) just leave him.

If he's in normal pyjamas or less then make sure he can reach the covers but don't necessarily put them on him. Window open OK but not if it's going to make the room freezing by 2am. Maybe turn the heating down a little bit unless you normally have cool bedrooms anyway. At 9 he should be able to regulate his own comfort by adjusting his bedding and clothing :)

Water is definitely a good idea, what infection needs is fluids above all else. But just make sure it's easy for him to find if he wakes up thirsty.

(And a sick bowl just in case)

[NigellasGuest]

cold flannel, open window, take sheets/blankets off bed. take off any warm pyjamas etc.

[missmapp]

Water at his bedside, cool flannels, nurofen if needed - think we are sorted. Heating off anyway ( we are a cool household!!)

Thanks all. Sorry to be a pain, not normally a fuss pot, honestly !!

[whereisshe]

Current NHS guidance for a fever under 39 degrees is to make them comfortable (cool room, not too many clothes or blankets), and keep them hydrated. You only need to give ibuprofen or paracetamol if they're uncomfortable.

[BertieBotts]

NHS says 40-41 is a fever to be worried about, although they advise dialling 111 rather than rushing to A&E which suggests it isn't particularly urgently worrisome IMO - probably means in most cases it warrants a GP's visit or checking for other symptoms.

In my experience fever rarely goes higher than 39, not even to 39.5.

If you are worried you can call 111 at any time (assuming you are in England or Wales) and they will advise you.

[whereisshe]

Oops cross posted with lots of people! Over 39 and you should be contacting a doctor.

[catchingzeds]

It's horrible when the DC is poorly, I really feel the responsibility. That said I wouldn't be concerned unless the temp went over 40 and couldn't be brought down.
My 18 month old DS is currently unwell and I'm pretty sure we'll both be having a restless night!

[missmapp]

Hope your ds is better soon, catchingzeds- yes , restless night ahead I feel ! Don't know why I feel worried tonight, irrational really, just do . DS2 has an array of medical issues, but DS1 normally a robust thing, sorry him being unwell has thrown me a bit!! He also has a normal temp of 35, so 38.5 seems high!!

[BertieBotts]

It says 39 degrees as a maximum for a 6 month old baby whereisshe. Later in the article it says 40-41 for a "young child" which I don't think 9 is, particularly.

From personal experience if a fever gets too high you can get "rigors" which is where you shake and feel cold even though you are actually hot. In this situation it's advised to use paracetamol and/or ibuprofen to take the fever down and also to see a GP ASAP as it's a sure fire sign that there's some kind of infection so you'll probably need antibiotics. Personally having experienced this it's not nice and can be frightening so I'd medicate if the fever hit 40 but below that, if the child is not in pain, no.

[missmapp]

so him not sorry him- can't even blame a phone- on laptop!!!!

[BertieBotts]

Wow a normal temperature of 35? Where is that measured from, that seems incredibly low.

[missmapp]

Yes, bertie - he had the shakes earlier which is why I gave calpol . Will check regularly.

[BertieBotts]

(I mean underarm, forehead, mouth BTW)

[missmapp]

from his ear using the digital thermometer- always been low, even the docs commented when he was younger!!

[BertieBotts]

If he had the shakes, then I'd keep medicating to keep the fever down. If it keeps rising despite the medication then call 111 to see if you need to see OOH tonight/tomorrow or can wait for Monday for GP.

Shaking in older children and febrile convulsions in little ones is different I think.

[BertieBotts]

Then that totally changes things and you should be acting as though his temperature is 2 degrees higher than it is. I think I'd call 111 to be on the safe side.