Page 2 | How high a temp to speak medical advise?

TheletterZ · 2023-12-16T17:51:01+00:00

Had a cold lingering for a few days but thought it was on the way out. Yesterday evening started to feel proper off. Got a cough, headache, aches - usual symptoms. My temp is now 40.5 and I feel rotten, took ibuprofen at 2 and paracetamol at 4 so can’t take any more at the moment. No problem with breathing (slightly tight sore chest but at normal ill levels). Drinking lots of fluids and spent the day in bed. Had both flu and Covid boosters. What temperature are you supposed to call for advice? And surely that will just be rest and fluids?

RadRad · 16/12/2023 18:43

Anything over 40' for adults should be looked at.

Original poster

TheletterZ · 16/12/2023 19:07

MrsNandortheRelentless · 16/12/2023 18:14

Really? A&E to see if they will do blood cultures?

This seems very OTT to me for an adult about to cook chicken soup. If drowsy, confused, temperature for hours not responding but someone cooking soup and chatting on a forum??

I don’t even think an OOH GP is necessary.

I'm not cooking soup - husband is (well opening carton and heating it). I'm staying firmly in bed.

I'm not going to A&E. I will see how I feel in the morning.

OP posts:

Lougle · 16/12/2023 19:25

I always worry with these threads. Nobody has anywhere near enough information to decide if @TheletterZ needs medical attention. She should be phoning 111 for an assessment or using the online service.

Covidwoes · 16/12/2023 20:45

OP my temp isn't as high as yours, but it has reached 39.5 today, which felt dreadful. It is coming down with ibuprofen and paracetamol though, so going to wait it out for now. I can see my tonsils starting to become inflamed, so maybe tonsillitis, but honestly the thought of spending time phoning 111, waiting at OOH etc makes me feel even worse! If any infection signs develop I'll call the GP on Monday. Any shortness of breath though, temp not coming down at all even when medicated, I'd contact someone to be on the safe side. Hope you feel better soon.

Nineteendays · 16/12/2023 20:57

My niece has had a temp over 40 a few times. With her being under 10, my sister took her to A and E as it reached 41.5 at one point. They sent her home each time and told my sister to keep an eye. My niece did end up being fine each time but it was scary for my sister. I wouldn’t go in if I were you but any concerning changes then absolutely call in case of sepsis

tescocreditcard · 16/12/2023 21:00

You can take another 2 ibuprofen now so take those and see if they lower your temperature.

VerityUnreasonble · 16/12/2023 21:10

Can you check your pulse? Smart phones / watches often let you do this. And maybe ask your husband to count the number of breaths you take in a minute?

If your pulse is under about 50 or over 110 or you are taking less than 10 or more than 20 breaths in a minute it is probably worth getting checked out pretty quickly.

Shivering or shaking would also be signs you need looking at.

Over 40 degrees is starting to get into dangerously high (assuming your thermometer is right, they don't get recalibrated) over 41 is at risk of causing some significant harm.

VerityUnreasonble · 16/12/2023 21:12

It wouldn't be a bad plan to phone 111 either, at least that way someone can get all your info.

MiniMaxi · 16/12/2023 21:16

Depends whether the fever has come down with the ibuprofen / paracetamol. If not then you need medical advice asap.

Original poster

TheletterZ · 16/12/2023 21:26

Temperature has come down to 39.5 with more ibuprofen. Pulse around 80 so all good there. Going to take some more paracetamol and try to sleep.

thanks all

OP posts:

strawberry2017 · 16/12/2023 21:46

Hope you feel better in the morning x

Original poster

TheletterZ · 17/12/2023 07:41

Rough night. Woke several times with crazy odd dreams and once with a huge sense of dread. Though I suspect the odd dreams were to blame for that!

Temperature is still high, but normal high, 38.4. Another day in bed for me!

I know I shouldn’t but I really want a hot water bottle as feel cold!

OP posts:

Hollyhead · 17/12/2023 07:49

I would get checked over today with those symptoms, it could be sepsis.

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 17/12/2023 08:21

NHS is always worth a look www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-adults/

JoyeuxNarwhal · 17/12/2023 08:30

TheletterZ · 17/12/2023 07:41

Rough night. Woke several times with crazy odd dreams and once with a huge sense of dread. Though I suspect the odd dreams were to blame for that!

Temperature is still high, but normal high, 38.4. Another day in bed for me!

I know I shouldn’t but I really want a hot water bottle as feel cold!

Speak to 111 or do the online check list today please. I don't want to be alarmist but we had a good friend die of sepsis that was "just flu". Your description of your night worries me.

Utterlypeanuterly · 17/12/2023 08:34

Nineteendays · 16/12/2023 20:57

My niece has had a temp over 40 a few times. With her being under 10, my sister took her to A and E as it reached 41.5 at one point. They sent her home each time and told my sister to keep an eye. My niece did end up being fine each time but it was scary for my sister. I wouldn’t go in if I were you but any concerning changes then absolutely call in case of sepsis

41.5c is a temperature of 106.7f which is incredibly high. I had a temp of 106 when I had meningitis. I was unconscious and extremely ill. It's the highest temperature I've known anyone in real life to have. Thankfully my dc have rarely gone as high as 40.
Did your sister know what was the cause of your niece's high temperature?

Hope you feel better soon, OP.

Goatymum · 17/12/2023 10:06

if your temp stays down at 38.5c that’s within realms of normality, but the sense of dread isn’t good (although dd woke with this a couple of weeks ago at uni but was fine the next day - I didn’t know about it but she woke up her housemate). I said if she’d been at home I would’ve taken her temperature straight away.
i’d def cal 111 if temp
spikes again.

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 17/12/2023 10:19

Goatymum · 17/12/2023 10:06

if your temp stays down at 38.5c that’s within realms of normality, but the sense of dread isn’t good (although dd woke with this a couple of weeks ago at uni but was fine the next day - I didn’t know about it but she woke up her housemate). I said if she’d been at home I would’ve taken her temperature straight away.
i’d def cal 111 if temp
spikes again.

NHS say 38 or over is high.

Needahandholdplease2023 · 17/12/2023 10:28

Yes with the added sense of dread I'd ring 111 this morning just to be safe

Nineteendays · 17/12/2023 14:02

Utterlypeanuterly · 17/12/2023 08:34

41.5c is a temperature of 106.7f which is incredibly high. I had a temp of 106 when I had meningitis. I was unconscious and extremely ill. It's the highest temperature I've known anyone in real life to have. Thankfully my dc have rarely gone as high as 40.
Did your sister know what was the cause of your niece's high temperature?

Hope you feel better soon, OP.

Show quote history

No but now I’m wondering if her thermometer was dodgy! and maybe that’s why the dr wasn’t as concerned. She often goes to around 40 degrees when poorly but it just seems to be how her body deals with it because she’s always ok- no convulsions or being unconscious or anything.

Original poster

TheletterZ · 17/12/2023 17:01

And it’s covid! DH brought a test home with him today.

Think this is my 4th time catching it and I have had all my jabs plus the booster last month. 😢

It I am feeling this bad, image how bad it would have been if I hadn’t had the booster. Or it’s a different strain.

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Plankingplanks · 17/12/2023 19:07

Big hugs. I also have covid currently and feel rough. Dose up and stay in bed. That's what I'm doing!!

Original poster

TheletterZ · 18/12/2023 03:44

Can't sleep. Temp stayed in normal fever range yesterday so despite feeling shit I am on the mend.

At least I'm not due at work next week.

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