What temperature to call a doctor?

[dorisbonkers]

Hi, it's the first time my baby (13 months) is sick and she's got a temperature. Not humungously high at 38.4 but it is slowly rising despite calpol. At what sort of level do I call a doctor?

She is obviously displaying she's not feeling well, but she is eating and b/feeding and did get some sleep last night.

Forgive the dumb question, she's never had a fever before.

Oh, we had swine flu in the summer and she seemed ill but never had a temp. We haven't got round to vaccinating her yet.

[Macdog]

Worrying time for you, but it sounds as if you are doing all the right things.

Call your GP's surgery and ask to speak to a nurse for advice. They are really good here at reassuring and giving advice on what to do

They will be able to tell you when it is becoming serious.

if she stops feeding, develops a sudden rash or any other symptoms, call GP IMMEDIATELY

[ShinyAndNew]

I was told 40deg, when dd1 had croup. Is 13 months old enough for childrens Nuerofen? If it is you can alternate both Nuerofen and Calpol, every two hours, if Calpol alone isn't helping.

Lots of water, cool clothing, turn the heating down etc. But I am sure you already know that. NHS Direct are good at giving you peace of mind, if you are worried, they will also know about the Nuerofen.

[Bucharest]

My doc says over 39 but it has to be for more than say overnight, or all day despite taking calpol etc.

A temperature is the body's way of working, to fight off an infection. Our doc has recently put a hoooooooge poster up saying "a high temperature is not an illness"

I know docs are more concerned when it's a high temp (39+) in a tiny baby, but at 13 mths I imagine a lot of sleep and calpol will sort her out.

Maybe call NHS direct if you're worried.

Hope she feels better soon. Dd always gets a temp before a cold virus type thing.

[Georgimama]

I wouldn't say any particular temperature is the cue to call, rather how the child is - if getting listless and miserable and temperature is still going up summon help. If temperature is consistent and child is otherwise OK (eating, playing etc) then cool clothing, plenty of fluid and just monitor.

[weaselm4]

Hi Doris, I've got a poorly 10 month old at the moment so do sympathise. Please don't underestimate your instincts - if you feel your baby needs to see someone, call someone. No-one will mind.

I took my baby to see the nurse yesterday as I was worried because she was very sleepy and crying quite a bit - and this is very out of character for her. The nurse said there is no "magic" temperature at which you need to see someone - it's more about behaviour, whether they're drinking, and whether YOU feel concerned.

I don't know whether this helps at all, but wanted to reply. Hope she is better soon.

[nigglewiggle]

I always find child Ibuprofen rather than paracetamol helps to bring down a temperature. Give that a try and then if it still doesn't come down, I'd call for advice.

[weegiemum]

You can use ibuprofen from 3 months old. You can get it free for children from a pharmacy if you register the child there. Our community pharmacist knows our children better then their doctor does!

[weegiemum]

The reason for calling a doctor for a temperature is the risk of febrile convulsions (my ds used to get them).

They happen above 40 degrees usually and normally when the temperature increases really fast - when the temperature "spikes" - some children are more prone to this than others.

Other than that, the temperature is the body's way of fighting off a bug - increases the metabolism, helps the white blood cells work better etc.

Hope she feels better soon.

[dorisbonkers]

cheers, scuse one-handed typing...

my instinct tells me she's ok -- she's tearful, grumpy, not listless and wan. no rash or anything.

calprofen seems to have calmed things down. just wondered given swine

if she takes a turn or keeps getting hotter I'll call.

thanks, really helps. husband tore a strip off me for asking on a forum instead of ringing nhs, but you've put my mind at rest and NHS basically says anything above 39 combined with weakness and rash.

[dorisbonkers]

just wondered, given swine flu hoo hah ... I meant to say(we lived abroad when the hoo hah started and actually both had very mild forms in the summer)