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Original poster

38.4 temperature in toddler

55 replies

CeeChynaa · 27/12/2023 21:09

DD is 2 years old. We went to soft play earlier today and she started shivering out of nowhere. I touched her head and she was really hot so we left. I could tell she was quite tired so thought she just needed to rest.

Fast forward to now, she’s had a nap but doesn’t seem herself at all. Hasn’t eaten her dinner and has only had a few sips of water. Ate a few grapes and that was it. I took her temperature twice. It was 38 degrees at 18:45 and then 38.4 degrees at 20:00. I gave her some Calpol and she went to bed.

Her dad is quite concerned. Is this something to worry about or just monitor overnight and see how she is in the morning? Thanks guys

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nhsmummmy · 27/12/2023 21:20

I'd just keep an eye on her.
Check her temp again 2 hours after the calpol and if it's still up give some nurofen. Hope she sleeps it off and is ok in the morning

VivaVivaa · 27/12/2023 21:21

I would personally be happy to monitor this overnight. There is nothing in your post that makes me think she needs medical attention tonight. But you have to do what you are comfortable with, not what a load of internet strangers tell you to do.

LividStrike · 27/12/2023 21:23

Mine got/gets temps like that quite often when he started nursery mainly. It’s got better over time.

Calpol alternated with ibuprofen helps.

I only really worry above 39 and it’s only hit 40 once, that’s my do I need A&E threshold 🫣

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TheSnowyOwl · 27/12/2023 21:23

Just monitor her overnight but that’s not really a high temperature and I wouldn’t medicate for it without other symptoms that needed it, although I would check that it doesn’t quickly spike or get too high.

blackpanth · 27/12/2023 21:32

TheSnowyOwl · 27/12/2023 21:23

Just monitor her overnight but that’s not really a high temperature and I wouldn’t medicate for it without other symptoms that needed it, although I would check that it doesn’t quickly spike or get too high.

Definitely do need to medicate it. My sons temp was over 38 but under 39 and had a febrile convulsion

AnOrdinaryWoman · 27/12/2023 21:35

Do you have nurofen? Personally find that works better than calpol for bringing down a temp. I think monitor it overnight unless it's causing you serious stress!

Original poster
CeeChynaa · 27/12/2023 21:37

Thank you guys.

I posted this to reassure DD’s dad. I did think it’s best to keep an eye on her overnight especially as she has been given medication. I do actually have Nurofen but for some reason Calpol was my go too because of the temperature!

@willingtolearn thanks for the link but I beat you too it. I already have that open on another tab:)

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Ostryga · 27/12/2023 21:38

For a temp like that I would just keep up fluids and dress lightly. You don’t need to medicate for a low-ish temp - the body is doing what it’s meant to do and killing the bacteria/virus. If it gets steadily higher over the next couple of hours I would reevaluate. Also if your child is in obvious pain/discomfort then yes do give pain medication.

Febrile seizures are not cause by a high temperature alone, it’s how quickly the temperature rises, and if your child is prone to them they’ll have them with or without pain medication.

Rainallnight · 27/12/2023 21:41

I don’t think that’s that high a temp. My DC regularly run to 39/40 if they’re poorly.

Keep her hydrated as much as she’ll let you, and give her neurofen

ShowOfHands · 27/12/2023 21:42

blackpanth · 27/12/2023 21:32

Definitely do need to medicate it. My sons temp was over 38 but under 39 and had a febrile convulsion

Show quote history

As pp have said, there is no need to medicate a fever in isolation. It's for discomfort/pain. Febrile convulsions aren't caused by the fever itself and medication shouldn't be given to prevent them (NHS guidelines and NICE are very clear about this).

Hope your DD is on the mend soon op. Fevers are part of your DD fighting whatever she has. It's a scary and worrying, but entirely normal part of childhood. Keep a close eye and don't worry about seeking advice if anything changes or you are concerned.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 27/12/2023 21:44

TheSnowyOwl · 27/12/2023 21:23

Just monitor her overnight but that’s not really a high temperature and I wouldn’t medicate for it without other symptoms that needed it, although I would check that it doesn’t quickly spike or get too high.

Why wouldn't you medicate? If you have a fever you feel shit, achey etc. she may have a headache or sore throat. A dose of Calpol is hardly a big deal.

Ostryga · 27/12/2023 21:46

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 27/12/2023 21:44

Why wouldn't you medicate? If you have a fever you feel shit, achey etc. she may have a headache or sore throat. A dose of Calpol is hardly a big deal.

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Because if you constantly repress a fever you massively increase the duration of the illness. The entire point of a fever is to kill the virus/bacteria that is causing the illness.

Obviously if the child is in pain then it is very appropriate to give pain reducing medication, but if just tired/feverish it is not recommended.

Original poster
CeeChynaa · 27/12/2023 21:48

Ostryga · 27/12/2023 21:38

For a temp like that I would just keep up fluids and dress lightly. You don’t need to medicate for a low-ish temp - the body is doing what it’s meant to do and killing the bacteria/virus. If it gets steadily higher over the next couple of hours I would reevaluate. Also if your child is in obvious pain/discomfort then yes do give pain medication.

Febrile seizures are not cause by a high temperature alone, it’s how quickly the temperature rises, and if your child is prone to them they’ll have them with or without pain medication.

DD is non verbal so I have to go on her demeanour as she can’t say how she’s feeling. Her eyes looked heavy and her body seemed achy whenever I moved her. She really seems unwell and then she has the fever on top. 2.5ml of Calpol seemed like the best bet here.

No clue where the mention of seizures came from!

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Greentomatoes21 · 27/12/2023 21:52

I would also make sure she isn't over dressed for bed or under a duvet/in a sleep sack. When my two are feverish overnight and we are therefore not awake keeping an eye, we use sheets and a light blanket that i can remove easily and dress in very light pjs or just a vest. If very high I set an alarm for medication overnight.

Mrsmch123 · 27/12/2023 21:56

Hi, I would monitor. If it's coming down with medication then that's fine.
mine tends to run at high 39 when unwell. Only time he went above that was in Spain with covid when it got to 40.5😅😅most stressful few days of my life then!

toomanyleggings · 27/12/2023 22:01

My dd who is three now hits over 40 when she’s ill. I would give paracetamol or ibuprofen if not on an empty stomach and keep an eye

Original poster
CeeChynaa · 27/12/2023 22:14

Greentomatoes21 · 27/12/2023 21:52

I would also make sure she isn't over dressed for bed or under a duvet/in a sleep sack. When my two are feverish overnight and we are therefore not awake keeping an eye, we use sheets and a light blanket that i can remove easily and dress in very light pjs or just a vest. If very high I set an alarm for medication overnight.

Thank you for the reminder. DD is only sleeping in a light sleepsuit with no vest underneath. She usually has a thick blanket over her but won’t do that tonight. I’ve just checked on her and she’s still quite hot but seems settled. Hopefully she’s better tomorrow!

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Antsinmypantsneedtodance · 27/12/2023 22:15

CeeChynaa · 27/12/2023 21:48

DD is non verbal so I have to go on her demeanour as she can’t say how she’s feeling. Her eyes looked heavy and her body seemed achy whenever I moved her. She really seems unwell and then she has the fever on top. 2.5ml of Calpol seemed like the best bet here.

No clue where the mention of seizures came from!

Show quote history

Its a totally normal temperature for an unwell child in the short term. Not crazy high and in isolation i'd not worry. Treat the child not the temperature, which you've done as she's showing signs of being unwell.

Seizures have been mentioned as these are a risk with young children and temperatures. However as others have said I wouldn't be worrying too much with this degree of temperature. Just keep an eye.

Also check your calpol doses. 2.5ml is a baby dose 2+ is 7.5ml. You can use nurofen as well as calpol. So if she wakes with a temperature give her nurofen (5ml i believe for 2+) and just be aware of any rashes or anything else unusual.

veeolay · 27/12/2023 22:16

@CeeChynaa

Hopefully your DD sleeps it off and is much better tomorrow. Mine got random temperatures like this without any other symptoms and usually were right as rain again overnight!

Out of interest why did you only give 2.5ml calpol? If she's 2 the dosage would be 5ml and if she was particularly big for her age could even have 7.5ml. It's important to give the correct dose for her age so it works properly to bring the fever down

blackpanth · 27/12/2023 22:16

ShowOfHands · 27/12/2023 21:42

As pp have said, there is no need to medicate a fever in isolation. It's for discomfort/pain. Febrile convulsions aren't caused by the fever itself and medication shouldn't be given to prevent them (NHS guidelines and NICE are very clear about this).

Hope your DD is on the mend soon op. Fevers are part of your DD fighting whatever she has. It's a scary and worrying, but entirely normal part of childhood. Keep a close eye and don't worry about seeking advice if anything changes or you are concerned.

Show quote history

You definitely need to medicate otherwise they'll definitely have a febrile convulsion. It certainly prevented my son having anymore.

blackpanth · 27/12/2023 22:18

Ostryga · 27/12/2023 21:38

For a temp like that I would just keep up fluids and dress lightly. You don’t need to medicate for a low-ish temp - the body is doing what it’s meant to do and killing the bacteria/virus. If it gets steadily higher over the next couple of hours I would reevaluate. Also if your child is in obvious pain/discomfort then yes do give pain medication.

Febrile seizures are not cause by a high temperature alone, it’s how quickly the temperature rises, and if your child is prone to them they’ll have them with or without pain medication.

You need to keep the temperature down to prevent them. My son only had 2. Once his temp was under control with meds he didn't have anymore

Copperoliverbear · 27/12/2023 22:18

There is definitely something going around lots of children and adults in my area going down with the same thing. X
Keep us posted

drad · 27/12/2023 22:20

It's 7.5ml of calpol. 180mg for a 2 year old. You must give correct dose. Pointless giving less

Original poster
CeeChynaa · 27/12/2023 22:22

@Antsinmypantsneedtodance@veeolay oh yeah, I know the dose for DD’s age is 5ml however she won’t take that. She didn’t even take the full 2.5ml so I have to give half doses more regularly so she gets something down her.

Edited to say that I had a quick Google and the dosage for 2-4 years is 7.5ml not 5ml. DD wouldn’t take 7.5ml at one time anyway!

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