To worry about a 40.7 degree fever

[Allfednonedead]

My DD(6) has Been under the weather since yesterday morning. By last night she had a fever of 40.3, but in the morning it was down to normal.
I kept her off school anyway as she was clearly still unwell, and her temperature has risen slowly through the day. It’s now measuring 40.7, which is pretty high.
Should I be worried? (I am worried, of course, but should I do anything about it beyond calpol, keeping the window open and giving her lots of water.)

If the calpol (and brufen if you have it) doesn’t bring it down then I would call 111 for advice

yes first off manage it down (if you can) with calpol and neurofen at regular intervals to control the temperature

Then focus on any other symptoms - how is her throat/pain when weeing etc

And if you cant get it down ring 111 it needs looking at

That is a very high temperature and I would call 111. Has she got signs of infection E.g. a sore throat, sore ear, urinary symptoms?

Alternate calpol with brufen that way you can give more frequently.
I would suggest tepid sponging, keeping an eye out for other symptoms and contact 111 or GP in the morning.
Hope she’s better soon

Sorry, meant ring 111 anyway, GP in morning

Tepid sponging is no longer recommend as it cools the skin so can make them shiver and increase internal temperature

She doesn’t have any other symptoms most of the time, but has complained of various aches and pains throughout the day.

Calpol and brufen combined seems to have done the trick and her fever is right down, although she’s still hotter than a hot water bottle to touch.

Thanks all.

Definitely alternate the Calpol with Calprofen - we've been advised that the ibuprofen based medicines are much better at bringing down the temperature. You can also get more medicine into them if you alternate.

If the temperature doesn't come down after Calprofen I'd phone 111 but will also warn you that the response you'll get is very dependent on who you speak to. DS when he was 2 had a fever of over 40 and was literally delirious - we were woken by the sound of him uncontrollably giggling coming through the monitor. Once we'd woken him up and got him downstairs he kept 'startling' in a way that was very reminiscent of when he'd previously had a febrile convulsion. Combined with all that we'd had a letter home from nursery saying there was a suspected case of meningitis at the nursery with a list of symptoms to be on guard for, which included high fever and delirium. Despite all that the doctor we spoke to on 111 was totally dismissive. He reluctantly agreed to call back in an hour for an update to reassess, and when he called I told him I was coming in no matter what as I wasn't happy. How useless he then was when we got to the out of hours is another story! Sorry that was a bit of a rant!

Good luck, hope your DD feels better soon.

Cross post as my post was so epic! Glad her temp has come down.