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AIBU?

Very low body temperature?

16 replies

ChipperCharlie · 22/05/2016 09:25

Sorry for the AIBU - I know I'm not, posting here for traffic.DD(10) has a cold - she cannot get warm this morning - coughing, bringing up green phlegm (Sorry) and her body temp is 33.4 degrees. I've checked the batteries on the thermometer, recorded the restricted of us (we're about 36.4 ish) and taken her temp again - 33.5 5 mins later.

This is too low isn't it? Please advise - I've always managed the high temps with confidence, but low temps are giving me the wobbles.

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CantChoose · 22/05/2016 09:30

I hope it's just a faulty thermometer but a low temperature can be a sign of very serious illness. Please get her seen by a health professional urgently.

ThatsIrrelephant · 22/05/2016 09:32

Where are you taking it - underarm/mouth/ear? Sorry if this is obvious but could she have drunk a cold drink and it's skewing the oral temp?

ChipperCharlie · 22/05/2016 09:35

Forehead.

She was in an outdoor pursuit centre for 2 days and said she didn't feel warm the whole time. She's usually good great health.

Am worried. Phoning NHS now.

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ChipperCharlie · 22/05/2016 09:35

Thanks for posting.

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MrsLettuce · 22/05/2016 09:39

From what you've said the thermometer does seem to reading a little low (36.4 when you'd expect +/- 37) on the healthy family members but even adjusted for that her temp is worryingly low.

Glad to hear you're phoning. Good luck.

Iambubbles86 · 22/05/2016 09:40

If its in ear temp then I know a lot about this (ocd and a child whose body tenp drops to 34 when he sleeps), firstly with a cold her ear tubes may be blocked giving a lower reading, also what's her usual base temp as if she's normally 36 then bear in mind that's not as huge a drop as someone who's normal base temp is 37 (36.6 is only an average population many people have widely varying base temps). A high temp is not the only way people will go to fight infection, some peoples temps lower instead as viruses (or bacteria) only have a small range they can survive at so any tenp extreme will help to kill the bug. How old is she? I know a lot of people disagree with rectal thermometers but they are the most accurate with young children. I used to do ear armipt and rectal and then use the average of all 3. I realise that's excessive but I had sever ocd and and at the time. How is she in herself? Still able to communicate??is her skin clammy? Lips and nasal passages moist or dry?

Iambubbles86 · 22/05/2016 09:42

Ah I see its forehead, very unpredictable as it can be skewed by a number of things. Still best to phone but I would reccomend investing in a more reliable method of temperature monitoring. Hope she feels better soon

ChipperCharlie · 22/05/2016 09:42

Lips and nostrils are dry.

No cold drinks - I have her hot Ribena and honey earlier. She's sitting up in bed and doodling but she'd be usually leaping around like a loon. I put it down to being really exhausted after the residential course but I Think she's poorly.

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Iambubbles86 · 22/05/2016 09:42

Oh and definatly not a rectal thermometer at her age, sorry completely missed her age

Witchend · 22/05/2016 09:48

Well forehead is usually lower than 37 anyway. I think you're right to get it checked, however ds does tend to drop like that after he's had a temperature. So his temperature will go up to 38, then drop to around 34. I mentioned it to the paediatrician and they didn't seem at all concerned. So I don't think it can be too worrying. (I do though she it's very low)
I've tried it on more than one thermometer as I thought it must be wrong, and it shows the same.

Lweji · 22/05/2016 09:48

If her temperature is rising, it's natural for most of the blood to flow inside and for peripheral temperature to drop.
Is she shivering?
Giving her calpol to lower a fever may actually help.

If you have a proper thermometer, check under arm (leave there for a while before taking temperature) or under tongue (even rectal).

But to warm her up, a nice warm bath should do the trick. You will then probably find she had a fever.

Donthate · 22/05/2016 09:51

What did 111 say?

ChipperCharlie · 22/05/2016 10:01

They've taken details - waiting for Doc to call back. She's still trying to get warm. Hot water bottle on the go now.

Thanks everyone.

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Iambubbles86 · 22/05/2016 15:46

How is dd?

wannabehippyandcrazycatlover · 22/05/2016 17:50

What did NHS Direct say? I hope your DD is okay?!

ChipperCharlie · 22/05/2016 18:11

Sorry everyone. The GP was slow coming back to me but we had an appointment. By the time we got there, her temp was rocketing and she was starting to shiver. Her knees gave way as we arrived to book in.

She has a urine infection - we're home now but we sat in a cubicle stripped to her underwear and dosed her up on calpol and neurofen.

She's back in bed now, still feeling light headed but hopefully on the mend. Thanks for your words earlier - great knowing that you're not alone.

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