Fever in a 9 month old

[Boomerwang]

How long can a baby have a high temperature for before you take her to the doctor?

My baby has fluctuated between 38.7 and 39.5 for 24 hours now. She still drinks, plays, chatters and does all normal things. The only change is that she looks tired all the time and sometimes does a high pitched cry and reaches out for a hug.

We called the Swedish version of a baby NHS Direct and did all the things they told us to do but I wanted your opinions.

She just woke up with a nosebleed and was terrified by it, presumably because it made her choke as she was lying on her back. Her last temperature check an hour ago was 38.9.

Is she teething? At that age DD had a temp for 3 days solid - it went on day 4, the day I'd made an appointment at the Dr.

Like your DD she was fine in herself, and I knew she was teething so I didn't worry too much. I only tend to worry if they are "unwell" with a temp.

She's had a temp this week for a few days as well (now 15 months) - she's got a bit of a cold and is cutting more teeth. I won't take her to the Dr unless she actually becomes unwell with it. Until then it's Calpol and Ibuprofen all the way (which is what the Dr will tell us to give her anyway!)

I think the temperature combined with the nosebleed would make me take her to the doctor - nosebleeds aren't normal in small babies.

A nosebleed starting when she was lying down I would take her.

Sounds like it could be a vital infection in which case the raised temperature is just her body's way of creating an inhospitable environment for the bug. It should start to come down when treated with infant paracetamol but by all means get her looked at by a doctor for your own peace of mind especially if she's not responding to paracetamol - they can check her chest and ears and rule out anything serious and are usually happy to do so with babies. Colds can irritate the lining of the nose and cause nose bleeds. Keep her hydrated and in light clothing and look for signs of a more serious infection - get her urgent medical attention if she goes floppy, starts convulsing or has breathing problems.

Thank you loads for your advice guys. Fortunately this morning at 10am my boyfriend brought her into our bedroom full of the joys of spring as she'd sweated it out and seems fine again now, apart from a runny nose.

I worry too much, I know :(