underarm temp 38.9 is that ok?

[cheesesarnie]

ds2 has been ill for 3/4 days.cold/cough,asthma,runny bum,sick,nosebleeds(all set of by cough and cough mixture i think).hes now got temp of 38.9 underarm.ive not got any calpol(dumbarse forgot to buy more before bottle was near end).what to do?

It's really quite high . Underarm temp is about 0.5 - 1 degree less than oral temp ie 39.4 - 39.9.
He really needs somethiong to bring it down. Have you got any baby/child ibuprofen instead? How old is he?

too high, hope he's ok. Do you have anyone nearby you could get to bring you calpol?

Just seen from your profile that he's only 2. If you've not got any meds, is there someone who can go to an all night supermarket and get something?

Make sure he's in cool clothing but don't use a wet cloth to bring his temp down!

Make sure he's kept cool - cool drinks, a cool cloth for his forehead - all that sort of thing. And remember that a temperature is a sign that the body is fighting an infection - not necessarily a bad thing. I wouldn't worry unless he starts seeming really ill. But be prepared for another restless night!

thanks.hes sleeping again-doing 10 minutes here and there.ive stripped him off.i'll try to get calpol.will look in cupboards for ibroprofen.can he have that if asthmatic?hes almost 3.

Hi cheese. Did you take him to the GP?

Calpol's OK for asthmatics, Ibuprofen isn't though. If he's asleep then there isn't alot you can do, maybe pop a fan on him. Keep an eye on the temp though, if it gets too high or you are concerned then you really do need to phone NHS direct.

yes found some calpol stashed at back of cupboard in bedroom -yay.now do i wake him or wait for him to wake?

i phoned them phantom-she said thought it was unlikely his asthma but to continue to take inhalers.

i had a feeling about ibrufrofen.i think thats probably why we dont buy it.

aagh - no to ibuprofen if he's got asthma!

Keep him cool, keep an eye on his temp and if there's no way you can get any calpol you'll just have to keep an eye on him overnight. He is at risk of rigors (shaking) and febrile fevers if his temp gets towards 40 so get in touch with your out of hours dr if needed overnight.

Did you talk to a doctor? This is bad advice and is incorrect. You do need to take him, coughing is the same as wheezing.

It's down to you whether you wake him, there are pros and cons to both so it depends on what you think. Personally, I would keep on top of it but if he's fast asleep....

xp! I think I'd be tempted to wake him to try and get it down sooner rather than later - he might then sleep better for the latter part of the night.

hes not sleeping for long periods anyway-hence us being downstairs atm(dh is sleeping and will take over at 1amish!)hes waking every 10-30 minutes so shouldnt be long before i get some in him.just took temp again-its now 38.6 with taking his clothes off.

Glad you found the calpol - I hope your night isn't too bad!

I would give him a dose now and use a damp tepid cloth to wipe down his face and chest.

Is he still wheezy and coughing?

ok.

still heavy breathing but not really wheezy(i dont know!!).still coughing which is mostly whats waking him i think.that and tummy hurting.

Sorry ignore wme - I missed the bit about him being asthmatic. Hope all goes well for you - remember to look after yourself as well - eat something and drink plenty. Good luck.

It's OK. Does his breathing sound like it does normally? Does he have an indent at the bottom of his breast bone when he breaths in?

He's probably got tummy ache because he's been coughing so much.

It was on an earlier thread seeker.

i cant get him to have it.just spat it out and not keen on flannel.now hes gone back to sleep.

seeker-im downing tea

Just give him little bits at a time if he's spitting it out. There's less to spit this way.

Next time you give him the capol pop the spoon in and gently hold his chin up for a second to keep his mouth closed then he will swallow it amid being really cross.

Now he is asleep you can put the cold damp flannel on his forehead and he wont be too bothered by it, or if you get concerned give him a bath in lukewarm water.

If it gets to 39c I would call the oncall GP immediately as the underarm temp is about 0.5c under his actual temp.

feel for you cheesesarnie, been there a hundred times.

im so crap at looking after poorly children.

Great Ormond street do a fab ill kiddy book. It's really helpful. I would call NHS direct though if he's making funny noises when he's breathing or his temp goes up again.

thankyou for calming me and helping me.

its gone down to 38.3 now.

That's good.