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Original poster

is 38.9 temp very high?

25 replies

ilovetochat · 21/04/2009 16:06

dd is 21 months, hasnt eaten apart from a couple of grapes since mon lunchtime, woke up from nap re hot, literally red, temp is 38.9 and she is crying and lying about.
i have given nurofen, how long does it take to work, bring temp down, should i do more?

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norktasticninja · 21/04/2009 16:15

It's quite high but not frighteningly so. You need to give her some paracetamol or similar to bring down her temperature (I'm not sure about Nurofen, it's not available for babies over her) and do make sure she keeps drinking little and often.

If you are in ANY doubt phone your doctor or NHS Direct.

norktasticninja · 21/04/2009 16:15

...not available for babies over here...

Original poster
ilovetochat · 21/04/2009 16:18

thanks, nurofen is meant to lower temp, it is baby stuff

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belgo · 21/04/2009 16:19

Her temperature should come down within about 45 minutes with the nurofen, it's very effective at getting temperature down. Make sure she drinks plenty.

You can alternate paratamol and nurofen every three hours following the doses on the packets.

If you can't get her temperature down, she should see a doctor.

belgo · 21/04/2009 16:19

paracetamol I mean.

norktasticninja · 21/04/2009 16:21

Oh definitely give her some then and make sure she's lightly dressed. We have paracetamol suppositories for babies over here, they take about 20 minutes to start working. I would have thought oral medication would take about the same length of time on an empty stomach.

I hope she's feeling better soon.

norktasticninja · 21/04/2009 16:21

x belgo

Original poster
ilovetochat · 21/04/2009 16:22

thanks, she had med at 3.45 so i will check temp at 4.30

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Bunch · 21/04/2009 16:24

Agree with all said except you shouldn't actually alternate nurofen with paracetamol in a child with a temperature.

belgo · 21/04/2009 16:24

yes the paracetamol suppos work very quickly and effectiverly.

belgo · 21/04/2009 16:25

why not bunch?

Pinkjenny · 21/04/2009 16:25

Bunch - I thought you could alternate paracetomol and nurofen as long as you don't exceed the dose on either?

Confused now.

Bunch · 21/04/2009 16:27

Should choose one or the other apparently, otherwise it could mask symptoms.

orangina · 21/04/2009 16:29

Kind of agree w Bunch re: symptom masking.

belgo · 21/04/2009 16:43

That's interesting. My GP has always told me to alternate, but maybe there is new advice which shows it's better not to do this.

How is your dd now ilovetochat?

orangina · 21/04/2009 17:22

I think alternating is ok if you know what is at the bottom of it (eg teeth).

Original poster
ilovetochat · 21/04/2009 17:36

her temp has dropped to 36.6 after an hour but she still wont eat and is very pale and wobbly, suppose through lack of food.
if she doesnt eat anything tonight ot tomorrow morning i will phone the docs when they open.
will be monitoring her later when med wears off.
thanks all.

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belgo · 21/04/2009 17:45

I would probably give them a ring now if she's still not feeling very well, despite no longer having a temperature.

orangina · 21/04/2009 17:45

Keep her hydrated somehow if you can. When ds had some kind of bug last year, he wouldn't drink or keep anything down and we ended up in a&e..... You don't want to end up with a child who is listless and dehydrated (dangerous). Good luck.....

Original poster
ilovetochat · 21/04/2009 19:44

well she ate all her dinner after an initial refusal and then drank too and has done big wee since so she has improved. she is more stable walking about now so she got some needed nourishment. she still feels warm so she is having a bath and then im gonna take her temp and give more nurofen before bed if she needs it.

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norktasticninja · 21/04/2009 19:49

Good to hear she's feeling better

Original poster
ilovetochat · 21/04/2009 20:24

thanks

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Original poster
ilovetochat · 21/04/2009 21:34

her temp has gone back upto 37.9C, she is asleep in pjs but no sleepbag, her breathing is quite fast and shallow and she shivers sometimes.
i have left the thermometer and nurofen on the landing for if she wakes up.
i am checking on her.

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norktasticninja · 21/04/2009 22:32

Poor wee thing. 37.9 isn't really very high is she due a dose or still under the effects? Here they only recommend paracetamol at 38 degrees or over. Sorry not to be up to speed on UK advice.

Original poster
ilovetochat · 22/04/2009 12:31

well by 11pm last night her temp was 39.9 so we had to give her more nurofen, she was talking rubbish so i think she was hallucinating.
we sat with her till 2am then she fell asleep till 9am this morning.
her temp was 39.2 so i took her to the docs, she has a throat infection and her gums are swollen so she may have teeth coming, doc has given her penicillin, her 2nd lot and she isnt 2 yet, to be taken on an empty stomach, thats ok as she hasnt eaten since last nights dinner. she is just lying on my lap crying.
i have given her a yoghurt and put her to bed as she was tired, temp was 39.7 again so more nurofen.
i feel so sorry for her

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