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Original poster

HELP - DSD has a temp of 39.4 how do I bring it down???

36 replies

bratnav · 15/07/2009 21:53

PLease please help

DSD is 5, she has swine flu. We have given her calpol and neurofen and sponged her down with a damp tepid flannel. We are nigh on forcefeeding her fluids but nothing is budging her temp.

Any thoughts on what else we can do?

OP posts:
Original poster
bratnav · 15/07/2009 21:53

Also she has had one dose of Tamiflu so far.

OP posts:
smellen · 15/07/2009 21:54

bumping for you.

Concordia · 15/07/2009 22:00

DD (9 months) had a temperature of 39.3 last week. It came on very suddenly and i have no idea if it was swine flu. However, it did go down with Calpol and a coolish bath, very quickly. They were the only things that the nurse on nhs suggested trying. So if they haven't worked for you perhaps you do need an out of hours doctor just to be sure?? But in our area the out of hours docs are now through NHS direct and with our nine month old last week that was a 10 hour wait to get a doc on the phone. Sorry feel i haven' been much help. Hope she is feeling better soon.

cookielove · 15/07/2009 22:01

can you open the window, if its not to cold, just help the air circulate a bit?

Original poster
bratnav · 15/07/2009 22:02

I have called our out of hours doc, I should get a call back in an hour.

Thanks for the replies.

OP posts:
Original poster
bratnav · 15/07/2009 22:02

She only has a duvet cover over her and window is open, but thanks.

OP posts:
AbricotsSecs · 15/07/2009 22:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

SpaceNoodle · 15/07/2009 22:03

With a temp over 39 you should ring NHS Direct or your out of hours surgery. I assume the tamiflu/swine flu is connected to the high temp, but I would still get medical advice as it is over 39. Keep her cool- don't cover her up, and keep doing what you are doing already (paracetamol for temp and lots of fluids, sponging her down) while you are waiting to hear what NHS/doctor has to say.
Hope this helps.

lisad123 · 15/07/2009 22:05

is she wearing Pjs?? Strip her off, put a fan on in her room and no blankets.

whomovedmychocolate · 15/07/2009 22:05

It can take an hour for ibuprofen and paracetamol to work on fevers. Has it been that long yet?

whomovedmychocolate · 15/07/2009 22:07

Also what sort of thermometer - ie is it accurate. Mine is an in ear one and it gives a radically different reading to armpit/mouth ones.

Try not to worry too much, at the age of five, while worrying, they can cope short term with fevers like this.

Original poster
bratnav · 15/07/2009 22:08

WMMC - an hour, I didn't know that, I was panicking after 20 minutes.

Thanks for all the suggestions, DH is sponging, she is naked and has no sheets at all on now. We don't have a fan, but the window is open.

OP posts:
Original poster
bratnav · 15/07/2009 22:09

in ear thermometer, is that not as good?

OP posts:
Sparklytwinkletoes · 15/07/2009 22:09

I second stripping her off, including the duvet cover, spongeing with tepid (not cold) water is also quite helpful.

Can you tempt her with an icelolly? Would help cool as well as hydrate?

lisad123 · 15/07/2009 22:10

ear is fine, keep us updated

Original poster
bratnav · 15/07/2009 22:10

She is just so skinny, I probably wouldn't be quiteso panicky if it were either of my 2, they are much more sturdy.

Off to see how DH is gettign opn

OP posts:
cookielove · 15/07/2009 22:10

make sure that the water isn't cold, and the window isn't blowing in cold air as that can stop it working, see here

whomovedmychocolate · 15/07/2009 22:11

In ear thermometers tend to be more accurate, but remember to put it in straight rather than at an angle.

DS had a fit a few months ago so I know a hell of a lot about temperatures/fevers and the effects of drugs on reducing pyrexia! Honestly, you will probably find at about 45 minutes, she suddenly gets cooler.

bubbleymummy · 15/07/2009 22:14

bratnav - be careful that you do not chill her too much because if she starts to shiver she will bring her body temp back up! Hope she is starting to cool a bit now. I know high temps are scary but it just means that her immune system is creating a hostile environment to help kill the virus - it's part of our natural defense system. How is she in herself?

whomovedmychocolate · 15/07/2009 22:16

Have you retaken her temp yet?

Original poster
bratnav · 15/07/2009 22:22

DH off to take temp again.

DSD just seems so quiet and miserable, a little bit floppy and can't be arsed with anything.

It is really warm here so I think it is ok.

OP posts:
Original poster
bratnav · 15/07/2009 22:24

38.4

Not brilliant but much better, is it ok to let her sleep? Have a vague panic about her slipping into a coma or something.

OP posts:
GracieGirl · 15/07/2009 22:31

Its fine to let her sleep, just keep checking on her regularly. pleased to hear temp is coming down.

PrefetParfait · 15/07/2009 22:35

Please cover her up with a thin sheet.

You need to keep her cool - but she does need a layer of something on her skin. If you don't you end up with 2 things happening. She will shiver to warm up as the temperature sensors in her skin will think she is cold. As has been said this will warm her.

Also if the skin is cold the bodies response to thinking teh environment is cold is to divert blood away from teh skin to the core of the body. This stops the bodies natural cooling system from working (which is via the skin); and heats up the core of the body because that is where all the blood goes instead.

hairymelons · 15/07/2009 22:48

How is her temp now? Has the doc called back?

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