How high is a high temperature?

[Decena]

My daughter has just gone to bed with a temperature of 40.4 taken with an electronic ear thermometre. I think she is just coming down with a cold as I have had one but I was wondering how high can a temperature get before I get worried? She has capol and is feeling very cold and tired.
Thanks.

do you have any baby nurofen it brings down the temp quicker.
40.4 is very high.
Poor little thing.
How old is she?

Ds had a temp of 40.2 at the docs today and she said that was very high. She advised me to alternate calpol with ibuprofen (calprofen/nurofen) every three hours, and wake up if necessary to give the medicine. And cool room, few clothes etc.

I would consider 40 + a "High temperature".

At work we class owt above 40,heading upwards as "Hyperpyrexial" (cos we like fancy terms dontcha know) .Work with cancer pts though with crapppy immune systems so we are a bit paranoid about high temps

I would give calpol and kids nurofen if child 1+ and try to push fluids.If still unwell or temp keeps rising after meds would see doc in am.Also if not weeing.Also look out for rashes/photophobia/neck stiffness etc etc.

She is 6 and has no other symptoms. May sneak into her room later and see if she notices her temperature being taken!

can i crash this thread and ask if you are taking temp when your dc is asleep would you expect it to be higher because they are tucked up in bed? or do i remember it'll be lower...

Temps usually higher at night

That's too high. I'd call NHS direct, especially as there are no other symptoms. They used to admit children to the hospital I used to work at with these symptoms.

I have just checked her again, 2 hours after the calpol, her temperature was 39.6/ 39.4 per ear so it is coming down and she is tucked up in a warm bed with 2 quilts. I gave her some nurofen and she said she felt fine, no sore head or sore neck.

TBH with a temp over 39.5C I would seak medical advice. Not so much because of the cause of such a temperature - but becasue of the risks in themselves of such a high temp (for example - but not limited to a fit).

Also the primary method of cooling should be to remove layers of covers and clothes...so I would say that she should not hae 2 duvets on her with a temperature like that.

Get rid of the quilt! You need to call NHS direct, this fever is too high and she needs medical attention.

I have just come off the phone to NHS 24. As long as her temperature is not rising again, and in the absence of any other symptons, then I am to just keep her cool, iced water, sheet only, open window etc. The nurse said that it is possible for her to retain a high temp like 39.6 for 2/3 days before improving.
(The 2 duvets are 4 tog which is why she had 2 of them as I haven't gotten round to get a winter 13.5 tog one yet!)
Off to do a story whilst I try to get her back to sleep.

hope she is feeling better today decena.

I'm hoping that is sips of iced water?

She needs to be lightly clothed and the room needs to be around 19, no lower (imvho), you can also sponge her with lukewarm water.

Not sure about the open window when it is going to be so cold outside tonight?

SMS she is 6, is she still at risk of FC?

Hope she feels better soon.