Temperature of 39.9

[whensmynexthol1day]

Hi, just looking for some advice. Dd 3 has a temperature of 38.9. It's been that same temperature since lunchtime.

There's a chance it may be Covid as her brother has been exposed at school and is in self isolation. Me and ds have been tested yesterday but waiting for results- we've both had coughs along with sore throats and I've been having chills and a headache although we both feel much better today.

She's had a dose of paracetamol and is just about to have another one. She doesn't seem quite right but isn't terribly ill to the point I think we need to see the dr. She is a bit weepy and tired now but was playing in the garden this afternoon so seems to be up and down.

Neither of my kids have had a temperature that high before- am I right to just wait and see wag at happens and keep her dosed up or should I be doing more?

Just keep an eye on her, keep up with paracetamol and fluids.

But she will also need to be tested.

Just to reassure you, my daughter always gets a temperature above 39 when ill, often reaching 40. So try not to focus too much on the numbers and keep an eye out for other signs. Make sure she is getting plenty of fluids and if you are not familiar with the signs of sepsis then read up on them to familiarise yourself. Hope you all feel better soon.

You might find this helpful
www.nhs.uk/conditions/fever-in-children/

My son (now 2 ) would always get a temp of 39-40 when he was ill. It would often last a few days , dosed your with calpol. Keep them cool and just keep an eye out for any other alarming symptoms (floppy unresponsive etc) I hope you all feel better soon

Ok thanks that's reassuring. She's been drinking lots of milk today (not had an appetite for food) so lots of fluids. I'll probably sleep with her tonight so I know she's ok.

My daughter always gets temps that hot when shes ill. It's a nightmare! Doctors will be worried if you cant get it down with medicine or they're dehydrated. So check her lips and make sure shes weeing. They'd also be concerned if her hands and feet are cold. It's really easy to say when you're not dealing with it but a temperature does mean their bodies are trying to deal with the infection so a good thing. But I know from experience (last week was the last time) that it can be terrifying when they are so hot. Hope you all feel better soon!

My 2 year old daughter always gets temperatures over 40 when she is sick. I have called 111 a few times because of it and they have always just told me to keep an eye on her. Does giving calpol/ibruprofen bring it down?

I disagree you need to test your younger child if you & elder child have symptoms & have tested. If you come back positive, it’s fairly obvious your DD probably does too & you all need to isolate anyway. If your tests come back negative, then you should test DD & continue to isolate. But waiting for your results saves potentially traumatising your younger kid!

I would say keep an eye on it...if it really doesnt get down call NHS, if she fits etc call NHS...if you find it shoots up too high and paracetamol doesnt last six hrs, you can alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol every three hrs...(caveat that some studies suggest that ibuprofen usnt great for covid).

Mine have very often got a temp of over 39, even over 40 before, several times. I'm always surprised when I see people recommending going to A&E just for the number of a thermometer because that contradicts NHS website advice. My GP reassured me once and said to call 111 or go to A&E if a temp goes over 39.6 AND doesn't go down after trying paracetamol and ibuprofen and waiting an hour. When my kids have gone over 40, it's been scary and they've had symptoms like tremors or hives or vomiting from the high temp, but it has always come down after ibuprofen. Do remember that it takes around an hour for ibuprofen to work properly and about 45 for Calpol (which often isn't as effective as ibuprofen on fevers but is usually tolerated better). If in doubt, call 111.

Just to contradict others, my DS had a new persistent cough last week, but he is asthmatic and I was 95% sure it was his asthma. I tried to get him a test with great difficulty. Eventually I got a phonecall from a doctor who said that although I could get a test if I really wanted, they would not advise it, that they are unreliable on under 5's, often traumatic, and with households of symptoms it's good enough for the other family members to be tested or just to self isolate for 2 weeks.