Temperature in 2 yr old - when to worry?

[YuleBeLucky]

2 yr old DD has had a temp of 37.3 since this morning. Hasn't responded to calpol, although hasn't gone up either.

She is sleeping now, but looks pale and unwell.

When to call the doc?

[TheUnmentioned]

Temperature of 37.3 isnt really raised unless their natural base temp is much much lower? What is their temp when well?

Go more by how they are than the temp imo.

[MeowyChristmasEveryone]

But what is her ACTUAL norm. For some kids that is normal.

Call NHS Direct, 0845 46 47, they are professionals after all

[TheUnmentioned]

eg: ds has a natural base temp of 37.2-37.5 and when he is ill it generally goes up to between 38 and 39.?

[YuleBeLucky]

Temp when normal is 36-ish. I know it's only slightly raised, but the fact Calpol hasn't changed it makes me worry. I know I'm being a bit OTT, but she was v hospitalised in Feb for swine flu and a very high fever (40+) so I do worry.

[YuleBeLucky]

I am ringing NHS Direct as we speak

[YuleBeLucky]

ignore random 'v'

[whomovedmychocolate]

If she gets a high fever (that is a temperature of 38.5) you should give Calpol or ibuprofen but otherwise the pale, unwell thing is just a reaction to the bugs running round her body. Don't worry it won't last long. :)

You should seek help if she is unresponsive, does not urinate or has a fit. Other than that, quiet and rest will do the rest. :)

[TheUnmentioned]

I can understand your worry but I really dont think you need to. I really dont and I am a worrier myself! Remember her temp isnt going UP either, thats good.

dd is only 9 weeks and her usual temp is 36 or something ( was checking as she was very hot one day but no fever) but when she had a virus last week it went up to 37.3 and I was told not to worry and that was with her, a tiny baby.

[ohforfoxsake]

Give it 24 hours, if she doesn't respond to alternate doses of nurofen and calpol, go to the GP. Might be worth taking a urine sample if you can to rule out urine infection. Doesn't sound too bad at the mo though.

[Tingry]

Yule, personally I wouldn't be overly concerned by temp of 37.3 with any of my DCs. They wouldn't even get Calpol for that from me.

However it's not just the temp but the overall "condition" of the child.


Trust your instinct, if you are not happy with her, call your out of hours GP service. Even if it's just for some advice over the phone. Here I can call our regular GP and if the surgery is shut it automatically diverts to the out of hours service. Good Luck.

[TheUnmentioned]

I wouldnt give calpol for a temp below 38 tbh unless it was bedtime then I might. Also, by not giving calpol it gives you a chance to see if the temp rises or not.

[YuleBeLucky]

Thanks all. Going to keep an eye on her overnight and take her to the docs in the morning if necessary. Sorry to be one of those inane people that posts asking for help that i could probably google and find - just like the wisdom of other mums!

[TheUnmentioned]

No dont be daft sometimes its just reassuring ot feel you arent the only one ever to have sat worrying about your child in the dark!!

Fwiw I am worrying because dd has been asleep since 7 and Ive had time to watch tv, wrap pressies, mn, drink hot tea, eat hot dinner etc - that cant be right can it? She is 9 weeks?!

[YuleBeLucky]

Ooh you've got one of those. DD was like that. Enjoy! (DS was more the 'up for a feed/poo/cry/to generally demand from my mum' until he was about 3 )

[TheUnmentioned]

yes, yes, ds is still very demanding at almost 4 and didnt sleep through until 2.5 - weird!