whats normal?

[gbradfield]

my daughter had a temperature of 38.9 last night which i thought was high because i thought the ideal body temperature should be 36. Am i right?

[puddicat]

It thought it was 37.something!!!

[Jafi]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_temperature

[sqad617]

jafi has given you a good link.

38.9.....is up a bit.....how old is your daughter?

[bednobs]

38.9 is very high, especially for a child - they can fit if they get high temperatures. if this happens again, you need to get the temp down with calpol and tepid sponging

[sqad617]

Would suggest that 38.9C is not VERY high, especially for a child. Rectal temp. in babies of 38.9C is very high, but \i don't think that we are are dealing with a baby here.

You are quite correct in that pyrexial fits may occur in children, but at higher temps. usually higher than 38.9C

[tigwig]

This is classed as a temperature but it is not dangerously high. Anything around 39.5 onwards is very high and 40 needs medical attention (like phoning NHS direct or GP). If your daughters temp was ever nearing 41 or over this is dangerously high and she would need urgent medical attention.
Just for the record if paracetamol doesn't bring a temp down you can also give nurofen at the same time as long as the daily dosage for both is not exceeded.
Usually a temp of 38.9 is just the bodies way of fighting an infection or teething etc and may not be anything serious unless there are other symptoms.
Is she ok now?

[gbradfield]

my daughter is nearly 1 years old. She has seemed to perk up a bit now but it was a worry to me that i wasnt sure what the norm should be. thank you for your answers....much appreciated.