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Original poster

URGENT HELP PLEASE! IS A TEMPERATURE OF 39.1 DANGEROUS?

46 replies

beautifuldays · 23/09/2007 22:03

ds is boiling hot, temperature of 39.1. he had medised 2 hours ago but has made no effect, have just given him nurofen - how high a temperature is too high? is this just a cold or something more serious???
help please xxxxxxx

OP posts:
ronshar · 23/09/2007 22:06

Dont panic it could well be just a cold. Have you taken off all ds clothes including her nappy if that applies? Also get a cold flannel and put it under his armpits and the back of his neck. If these dont help to bring down the temp then put his in a lukewarm bath. NOT cold as that will really upset his and that will make himhot again.

UCM · 23/09/2007 22:06

You should give paracetamol for lowering temp, I know that medised has some in, but calpol or similar would be better.

Keep him cool, light sheet.

How old is he?

tori32 · 23/09/2007 22:07

Any breathing difficulties? Lethargic? Dislike of bright lights?

Twiglett · 23/09/2007 22:07

no its not dangerous

tori32 · 23/09/2007 22:07

She can't give calpol for another 4 hours.

kittywits · 23/09/2007 22:08

Hi, my daughter had a temp of 40.5 last week, it's worrying. She's fine now. You know you can dose every 2 hours if you alternate calpol and then nurofen. Try wrapping her in damp towels to cool her down. The chances are it's just a viral infection that she'll fight off. if the temp isn't responding to any drugs though then ring nhs direct or your own out of hours service. Hope she gets better soon

ronshar · 23/09/2007 22:08

Sorry love I got all mixed up with my his and hims.
How old is your little boy?
Also have you got any Ibuprofen for children you can give him some off that as well as paracetamol.

WaynettaVonSlob · 23/09/2007 22:08

How old is he?

ChipButty · 23/09/2007 22:08

Dr advised us to allow 1 degree error in the thermometer - so could be lower than you are getting (or, conversely, higher but let's think positively). Try placing cool damp flannels on him to help bring temp down. How old is he? If no change after this dose of meds and flannels then ring out of hours dr for advice. If he shows any signs of febrile convulsion (shakes) ring 999. Good luck.

kittywits · 23/09/2007 22:08

Sorry, misread, meant him not her

fingerwoman · 23/09/2007 22:09

yes, she can give calpol in 2 hrs. medised was given 2 hours ago.

tori32 · 23/09/2007 22:09

Agree with ronshar. Also if you have a fan put it in the room but not blowing on ds. How old is he?

Twiglett · 23/09/2007 22:09

paracetomal does not lower a temp - it just stabilises it --- do not give 2 paracetomal containing drugs together

ibuprofen (in nurofen) lowers a temp .. you need to give it a good 30 mins to work ..

children's temps rise at night anyway

I really really wouldn't worry .. strip him off .. keep an eye on him .. make sure its heading downwards

littlelapin · 23/09/2007 22:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

elesbells · 23/09/2007 22:10

strip him off, put a fan on in the room (not directly at him) tepid flannel him down.

hope he feels better soon x

tori32 · 23/09/2007 22:10

Sorry fingerwoman was worried she would give it straight away.

lisalisa · 23/09/2007 22:11

Message withdrawn

fedda · 23/09/2007 22:11

Hi, beautifuldays, I'm not a doctor but that's what I would do. If you are worried, take him to your doctor. if you think he is okay in himself, keep sponging him with cold fennel and be near by if you can. Give him plenty of cuddles and let him sleep as much as he needs. See how he is tomorrow and if you feel you need to take him do the doctors, do. Good luck.

tori32 · 23/09/2007 22:12

When my dd had a temp of 41c it turned out it was just a viral infection. Try not to worry.

tori32 · 23/09/2007 22:14

Have you gone through the NHS direct questionnaire? That sometimes helps. Go onto the website.

littlelapin · 23/09/2007 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
beautifuldays · 23/09/2007 22:19

wow thanks for all your replies
he is 3 years old, has been a bit tired and miserable for a couple of days so thought there might be a cold coming on, dd (8months old) also has a snotty nose but not a high temp as yet. just panicked a bit when i saw how high his temp was and that the medised has had no efect - was 38.9 at bedtime and now 39.1.
he won't let me take his pj's or nappy off but i've taken his duvet off and given him water - unfortunately he is scared witless of fans...
so you think i just check on him again in half an hour or so and see if temp has gone down???

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 23/09/2007 22:20

How is he in himself?

If he is floppy and unresponsive then I worry, just generally miserable then I worry less so.

Flamesparrow · 23/09/2007 22:21

Ooh, if he is with it enough to fight clothing removal then I would be less concerned

fingerwoman · 23/09/2007 22:22

yes, I'd just keep an eye on him and make sure temp isn't increasing. try and keep him cool, maybe see if you can get some clothes off once he falls asleep