Teething and high temperatures...What else can I do?

[gillianf]

DS has his two top eye teeth coming out at the same time. He's been ok this week, just a bit of a fever, but today things got a bit hectic with temps of 39/40 (no febrile convulsions thank goodness!), but he is just whimpering in his cot. DH put him in a lukewarm bath and we've been doping him on neurofen infants syrup (he's 17 months old). We'll put him in our room tonight, cos the thought of him convulsing and us not knowing is going to drive me crazy. Is there anything else we can do to get his temperature down quickly?

TIA!

[aardvark]

Are you sure it's just teething?

A temp of 40 is awfully high if it is just teeth. I'd be looking for other signs of infection - pulling at ears, sticking the tongue out (can be a sign of a sore throat), pain on urination - or anything else.

[aardvark]

BTW, my GP advised me that you can administer both panadol and Nurofen at the same time. They don't interact.

[misskittyfantastico]

I would get him checked out. As Aardvark said, a 40 degree temp is pretty high...maybe just for peace of mind?

[Priscilla]

How long has he had the high temp for?

A couple of months ago, my DS had a high temp too. Like your DS it got up to 40. I too thought a tooth was trying to cut through as he'd had all the usual teething signs. His high temp last for three days and on the fourth day, we woke with his temp dropped back to normal. However, he had a rash on his tummy. Still thinking it was teething (as my mother told me that's what happened to me as a baby), I didn't do anything, but just kept an eye on it. That night, the rash spread to his back, face and neck. It didn't bother him one bit but it looked ghastly.

Took him to the emergency dept and was told that it was roseola. Pretty harmless but is contagious. Just wanted to let you know that the high temp could be something else as all the other mums had suggested, but didn't wnat you to panick when you saw a rash (should a rash develop). having said that, I'd still take your DS to the doc if you see a rash just to be safe.

In answer to your question though, just keep giving him panadol or nurofen (what ever works best for DS). Give him an extra blanket or jumper because as your body temp rises, you feel do feed colder. The whole bathing in cold water is an extreme solution and is only given when body temp is above 42degrees.

Oh and make sure your DS gets PLENTY of fluids!

[gillianf]

Thanks for the responses, ladies! His temperature peaked this evening - he's been otherwise ok this week. There is nothing to suggest that it's anything else - I did think maybe an ear infection, but he's not been tugging or anything, nor gagging or vomiting, kwim? We'll keep an eye on him - for a rash as well (thanks Priscilla) - I think I'll have him checked out tomorrow. I don't normally rush him off to the doc for every cough and splutter, but heck, I need to put my mind at ease. BTW, the roseola - is that dangerous during pregnancy?

[Lunar]

Hi, I just want to say that a temp that high is not caused by teething. I mild temp maybe but not a fever. 40 is very high, and you should get it checked. Don't worry about looking silly going to the dr's over what you may think are minor things, with young children it may very well be serious, they can't tell you where they are sore or what the pain feels like. I would take him to the dr first thing tomorrow, if his temp gets worse tonight go to emergency.

[gillianf]

Thanks again. The temperature has dropped thank goodness...he's asleep right now and as cool as a cucumber. Will keep an eye on him though...! *whew* Who knew parenthood would be this stressful??

[cwsmum]

Hi, I just want to say that a temp that high is not caused by teething. I mild temp maybe but not a fever.

Exactly what I was thinking :thumbsup: My dr says anything over 38 is NOT teething, if their temp hits 40 (or 39.8 if help is more than 10 mins drive away) then get bub checked if panadol/neurofen is not bringing the temp down.

It could be an ear infection, or throat or something, my DS gets a temp of at least 40 when he has an ear infection, but has no other signs. Another mum on here took her boy to the dr coz she noticed his throat was red, he had tonsilitis...it wasn't bothering him at all, he also had no temp.

Hope your bub is ok :hugs:

[Priscilla]

I don't know if there's any 'danger' if you're pregnant. I've had a look at a couple of health and gov websites and there's not mention of pregnancy or danger to the unborn child.

Roseola affects babies between 6mths and 2years. The paediatrician I saw assured me that there's really nothing to worry about. Of course, keep an eye on the high temp, but as soon as the temp drops there's nothing to worry about. The rash is worst in the first 24 hours and then gradually disappears over about three to four days. The only thing is that it LOOKS horrible.

Here's a couple of websites to check out:
http://www.australiandoctor.com.au/patient/010427Roseola.pdf
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Roseola_infantum?OpenDocument

They do basically say the same thing, but if you are worried about the affects on you during pregnancy, I'd go and see your GP.

Let me know how you go?!