Ways to reduce high temps please and how high is too high?

[MerlinsBeard]

I should search really but i don't want to be on MN at the mo.

DS1 has very high temp, have given 1st dose of ibuprofen and ABs as well as a sponge down with cold water. he is in bed in vest and pants but what other ways are there for reducing temp effectively?

At the DRs earlier his temp (on forehead strip) was 38.5. I took his temp with in ear thermometer at 6 and it was 39.3. There has been no increase or reduction yet (took it again half an hour ago).

how old is he?

Are you alternating ibuprofen and paracetamol
Frequently changed cool face cloth on back of neck and face - round his wrists as well
sstrip him and sponge him frequently - doesn't have to be freezing cold

What other symptoms does he have? How old is he?

you need to sponge with lukewarm water rather than cold

you can also give calpol

Sponging with lukewarm water is best as freezing will cause the peripheral circulation to shut down. I have asked dr.s about this- my kids aural temps have been up to 40 before- and they say look at the childs condition as a whole- the highest temp does not necessarily indicate the most severe disease.

He can have a maximum of 10mg/kg of paracetamol four times per day and a maximum of 5mg/kg ibuprofen three times per day. If this doesn't shift his temp and he has other symtoms of illness then consider attending A+E/out of hours GP.

Do not use cold water for sponging, it increases the risk of a febrile convulsion, just use warm water and let it evaporate off him.

this is a good guide to temperatures in children from netdoctor

i had forgotten i can alternate calpol and ibuprofen, will do that.

According to NHS direct lukewarm water is no longer advised for cooling temps, hence me using cold (it didn't say to)

He is 4, very lethargic, sounds bunged up altho no signs of cold, has a dry cough,ear ache, no appetite. he also has a rash BUT before everyone panics like i did, its a viral rash which disappears when you press it

I was told to worry particularly if the temp was over 40.
You can give Neurofen and Calpol at the same time up to the max doses.
We had very worrying time with dd2 last year (when she was 11.5 mths) who we could not get below 40.3 .
I had her stripped off and windows open, fan blowing (but not on her, just to cool the air) and luke warm showers.
We gave meds every two hours Calpol then Nurofen up to the max doses and eventually it came down to 39. It is scary. Good Luck.

he's been to the doctor to get the ABs though has he?

dd had a temperature of 41C when she was tiny - I was crapping myself but it was just some weird virus - but then again, you can have meningitis and have a temp of 38C so it's really more how they are behaving I think (as long as you don't have to worry about febrile convulsions).

When I say worry particularly I mean be more concerned. Couldn't think of the words and was trying to post quickly for you.

That reminds me of when dd2 was in hospital, on intravenous paracetamol alternating with ibruprofen, they stripped her completely and made her lie between two ice blocks and wouldn't let me hold her. Even so they still couldn't get her temp below 40°. She needed to be in hospital. She's fine now though.

belgo, if it goes any higher i will be running to hosp (quicker than an ambulance as we live nearer the hosp)

yes, ABs from DR this afternoon. Had his forst does only at 6 ish

the window is open but i can't have the fan on in there because DS1 and 2 share a room.

paracetamol suppositoris work very fast (they are widely used in Belgium, but I don't think they are used so much in the UK).

I think some children genuinely get higher temps than others. If dd gets a temp, it always goes to 40C whereas ds hardly ever gets anything that high.

Keep an eye on him - make sure he's not too hot and hopefully the ABs and nurofen will kick in soon. Poor lad.

I'd say lukewarm bath until it has cooled right own, open windows take all clothes off. Good luck and seek medical help if you think so, don't worry about feeling like a pain.

ty for the netdoctor link btw

DS1 is never ill so i don't know what his "resting" temp is. Will give him calpol in about half an hour. I want him to sleep for a bit

Ooops, by 'it' I mean the bath!

thats what i thought you meant seamonster, don't worry

just checked him and its 38.7. HUGE difference and hooray for ABs. can relax a little now i know its coming down. ty for advice

thank goodness!

write down when you gave him the nurofen and/or calpol so you don't have to worry when you need to give it again!

i have done FIS!

Just a quick post to say that i love antibiotics!

I woke every few hours on the night (well was kind of awake anyway) to give DS1 calpol/ibuprofen. Then this nmorning he had only his 2nd dose of ABs and he is well enough to be fighting with his brother and his temp has lowered enough for me to not bother with the thermometer