DD running a temperature of 38.3 which I can't seem to shift......

[MinkyBorage]

but she seems ok in every other way, in good spirits and having fun. Is this normal?

She probably has some sort of virus. Does she have pain anywhere?

38.3 isn't particularly high (over 38.5°C and you need to give calpol).

OOh, I think I test their temps too much, I give calpol much lower than that . Her normal body temp is something like 35.4 so she feels very hot. Calpol doesn't seem to be shifting it. No she doesn't seem to have any pain anywhere, but is a little chesty. We're supposed to be going away for the weekend with friends but wondering whether we should reconsider, but if she seems fine, then I suppose should just carry on as normal??

How are you taking her temperature? 35.4 seems very low.

BTW? I never take my children's temperature unless they are really ill and calpol doesn't seem to be helping.

it's not high but if you know your child's basal temperature is much lower then you know when she's poorly

am not calpol fan and wouldn't give it at that temperature, just watch her

do you have any nurofen you can give her? My dd gets high temps all the time which I keep down with alternate nurofen/calpol. I give medicine at about 37.5, her normal temp os 36.8. She get convulsions though if it spikes so I get a bit nervous .

dd has a virus at the mo, cold/cough, blocked ears and she's had a temp for nearly 2 weeks now and been seen by the gp twice. They both said it was just a virus to work through.

hth

if you want to give her medicine, baby Ibuprofen is better at shifting a temp than calpol.

I think that the body puts the temp up for a reason, a high temp denatures the enzymes in bugs so it could stop an infection from starting. If you give paracetamol (calpol) you prevent the body from doing this.

When patients came back from surgery they always got a temp rise after a couple of hours as if the body was protecting itself from bacteria.

Does this make sense or do I just sound like an idiot?

carolcupcake - that makes sense - that's way it's advisable not to give paracetamol/nurufen until the temperature is above 38.5°C - unless of course the child is in obvious discomfort or prone to having convulsions.

carol, no not idiot, i agree, the fever is a symptom and shows the body is trying to deal with it I reckon
the fever helps to get rid of the bug
no point suppressing the symptoms and leaving the bug
but we are in the minority...

most times I don't know my dd has a temp until it reaches 38.5 but she has had fits at 39. I wish I could let it stay high to fight off the bugs but I daren't.

Thanks all.
Belgo, I know 35.4 very low, and thinking about it, I think it is a bit higher these days, nearly 36, (when normal) but until fairly recently, she's 2.6, that was her temp, have ear thermometer.
I know I test too often, pfb syndrome I think combined with slight emetophobia. I'm far more relaxed with dd2 for some reason.

Try not to worry unless she develops other symptoms.

I was a nurse and was always very stingy with paracetamol!

Most of the other nurses gave it for temps above 37 and it always annoyed me! I'm sure that is the reason for superbugs (sshhh don't tell anyone I said that....) all the patients sitting about hoaching in bugs but with temps below 37 but yet they blame manky staff and anitbiotics....

Sorry! Rant over

carolcupcake - they give it when patients have temp over 37 because it means they can write in the notes that they've actually done something about it.

sympathy delgirl that must be tough

carol what an interesting theory

hope she's fine soon minky

LOL Belgo! That is the exact reason they do it!

I told one of the ward doctors my theory and 3 months later I was pregnant with DS.....

Am i being really dumb because I don't get the connection CCC?

I don't take temperatures (don't own a thermometer)and I practically never give calpol. If they are well in themselves then I think they should just carry on with normal life - you can tell by touching them whether they are hot or not - if they aren't hot enough to feel different then they are not hot enough to worry about!

35.4 is very low - are you sure the thermometer you're using is working properly? Have you tried taking it with a different one just to be sure.

sorry, I disagree Seeker. When dd had one of the convulsions, dd felt relatively cool to the touch but her temp was 40.2. Even the paramedics commented on it. Another time, she was very hot to touch and her temp was ok. I think you have to go with your own instincts.

seeker
am beginning to think we are the same person
am in complete agreement with you the last few times on not widely held views

i think your experience is particular delgirl and must be very tough for you both

but in general, that's the way it works I'm sure

may I ask you -- do the spikes come out of the blue or during illness?

during illness usually. She get high temps ALOT sadly. But, she's on prophylactic (sp) trimethoprim for renal reflux and has been for 2 years. I'm hoping when she comes off them next year, it'll change

wish you both well.. it must make you very nervous

I'm lucky enough to be able to let temperatures ride (I think most people could tbh) but can imagine how it is for you