Any experience of low temperature ‘fever’?

[runningme]

DD 18 started with symptoms of something yesterday. She has runny nose, headache, not breathless as such but more audible breaths if you see what I mean.

Have contacted 111 and are following their advice.

Started taking her temperature (in ear thermometer) and got readings between 35.5 and 34.1. Changed the battery after the first couple of low readings and did comparison testing on other members of the family, all had readings in the normal range.

She’s up to 36.1 this morning so I’m less worried. 111 we and GP/ Nurse I spoke to both insisted that my thermometer was faulty but I don’t think so.

Had anyone any experience of illness or a virus of any sort presenting with a low temperature?

Do you know what her normal well temperature is? My husband is constantly at around 35.5 degrees (he always feels warm even when I’m in a jumper!). 34 seems low though.

Sounds silly, but are her ears clean? And are you cleaning the thermometer between each go? I have learnt from experience over the last few days that even a small bit of wax can affect the reading on an ear thermometer!

Advice is to see if they feel hot to touch, you don't have to test with a thermometer (presumably to stop people going out to buy one), what does her back feel like?

Sorry should have said. Can’t be fully sure of her normal temperature. Until now didn’t test a lot at home. However any time she has been tested at the doctors the result has been as expected i.e. been told it was normal or the times she had infection that it was slightly raised.

It was the 34.1 number that made me call 111 as the other ear was also 34.2. Had some unofficial medical advice after that who said that if it fell any lower then to contact 111 again. Haven’t had a reading lower than 34.1 since thankfully.

Will ensure her ears are clean.

Yes the 111 advice was around hot to touch and her skin on the chest and back was warmer than usual so based on that we were put in self isolation. Skin on her extremities, face, hands and feet, was cold and clammy.

My youngest dd does this when she gets ill - it’s a different way if there body managing a illness - but a complete pain to treat! The advice I was given is basically to try and warm her up as best as possible - we tend get her under duvets with us and pile on the blankets etc.

That makes sense DisneyMillie

Like I said we do not massively use the thermometer when we are ill so this could be her normal reaction to illness, what a time to find out eh?

She is feeling much better now but will continue to get her to text her readings every couple of hours or so for now.