Low body temperature?

[Unformidable]

Ds is 17. He's had a cold since last weekend. On Monday he said he felt hot, but when I took his temperature, it was 35.7. Yesterday I thought I'd check his temp, and it was 35.1.

Google tells me if body temp falls below 35 it could be hypothermia. He doesn't feel cold or hot, and has been to school the past few days.

Do I need to be concerned about the low temp?

An unusually low temperature can be a sign of Sepsis can't it?

It could also be a faulty reading - have you tried taking it again? What kind of thermometer is it and where is the reading from (oral, armpit, etc)?

You could also call 111 for advice :)

Have u checked your temperature with the thermometer to make sure it's working right?

Check the thermometer on you to see if it’s reading right, sounds faulty.

If he were suffering hypothermia or sepsis, with respect, he would not be in college. He would likely have far more worrying symptoms and you would be seeking medical attention urgently.

Can I ask what you would do if he had a high temperature with a cold?
Would you not just make sure he knows to drink plenty of fluids and take paracetamol, take care of himself?
To reassure yourself, instead of google, have a look at NHS choices website, it’s evidence based, NICE guidance and the best information that there is.

I had my temperature taken yesterday
It read 32.8
DH said “ you really are the ice queen”
Think it might just have been a false reading - thermometers are not that reliable

What kind of thermometer did you use? Did you take several readings? If it's an ear one make sure you give it a good clean before using

I used an electronic thermometer. He placed it under his tongue and then kept his mouth closed until the thermometer bleeped, indicating it was ready.

DD took her temperature with the same thermometer later, and it was 36.7, so I think it's working.

If he had a high temperature with a cold, I'd give him paracetamol, tell him to keep the fluids up, and send him to bed to rest!

I'll try him again when he gets up. Thank you for all your comments.

Had he just had a cold drink? Is he mouth breathing because his nose is all blocked up?
Lots of reasons for it to be low.
I really wouldn’t bother if he has had a cold, it won’t change anything that you do.
It’s fluids, paracetamol and waiting for the cold to go.

If you hadn’t taken his temperature would you be concerned about him ?
If he’s eating normally, sleeping normally and going to school as normal I wouldn’t be worried.

Pickypolly Yes to cold drink. Yes to breathing through mouth.

That's reassuring, thank you.

Do it again 5 minutes later. I have mine checked at work. I managed 28.0 yesterday.

Readings are pretty variable.

Firstly, oral thermometers are not very reliable, an in-ear one is better.

You can often get a period of low temp after being ill, where your body has been fighting a fever and when your temp normalises it can swing the other way, but low temp can also be a sign of sepsis. If he’s otherwise fit and well and not showing any symptoms I wouldn’t worry.

FenellaMaxwell I loved Jilly Cooper books!

I wouldn't say he was fit atm as the cold is lingering, but I wasn't concerned until I found out 35 was considered a dangerously low temperature.

If he’s well in all other ways but has a lingering cold I wouldn’t be concerned.
But if he’s becoming more ill again or develops the signs of a chest infection or similar, then it’s off to see a doctor.

And as you say, you weren’t concern about him until you took his temperature.

If he'd just had a cold drink and was breathing through his mouth then it won't be an accurate reading

Mouth needs to be normal temperature and his mouth has to stay completely closed with his tongue firmly over the thermometer

Try it under his arm if he can't do it properly in his mouth

I'm not a doctor, but have just checked the NHS guidance and it says if there is a low temperature shortly following any kind of infection (which a cold is) to contact a GP or 111 and specifically ask the question "Could this be sepsis?"

Sorry, I am a bit sensitive to this at the moment as have just lost somebody very suddenly to Sepsis :( it may be absolutely normal as PPs say, but for the sake of a 5 minute phone call? They are trained medical pros and can give a better assessment.

But I do agree to redo it when he hasn't just had a cold drink :)