[Sassy Girl]

We've always been told by the GP that 37.5 was normal. So I wouldn't give any medication at all.

If it gets higher we always found that a syringe in the mouth was the easiest and quickest way to deliver panadol to young children.

[Natttmumm]

We used to add it to a spoon of icecream or jelly - they always took it.

That said for a temp of 37.5 I probably wouldnt worry too much unless she cant sleep and needs to.

[triangle]

Normal temperature in children is up to 38C.

really?

[lsolaBella]

I have always been told normal temp is 36 -37.5 degrees.

I know my kids have a 'normal' body temp of 36.5 so over 37.5 yes they may be acting more listless but I wouldn't bother giving them anything until they were over 39 (and up to 39 degrees is considered a mild fever).

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/b...nsf/pages/Fever

ETA: Link above only calls fever over 41.5 degrees as 'high'.

This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 14/09/2012, 05:14 PM

[lozoodle]

I have always been told normal temp is 36 -37.5 degrees.

I know my kids have a 'normal' body temp of 36.5 so over 37.5 yes they may be acting more listless but I wouldn't bother giving them anything until they were over 39 (and up to 39 degrees is considered a mild fever).

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/b...nsf/pages/Fever

ETA: Link above only calls fever over 41.5 degrees as 'high'.

Yes, for most kids that is the case, however some kids are far more sensitive to temp changes and a spike to 38 will result in a seizure for my daughter. The reason her febrile convulsions happen so frequently is due to them happening at quite a low grade temp which is why we are recommended to panadol at 37 if she is unwell. Definitely best to treat symptoms first though, if she seems otherwise well i dont treat her.

A child who wasnt prone to febrile convulsions definitely would not be treated by me unless they were miserable or extremely high. Kids do get over an illness faster if the fever is left to do its thing as its the body's natural fighting mechanism, i definitely only treat dd2 so low due to her circumstances being out of the norm. She did have a 39 temp a few weeks back and no seizure this time so fingers crossed she is starting to outgrow it and i wont be so paranoid anymore . Her first ever fever without one!

[soontobegran]

really?

In most children it is.

[soontobegran]

We've always been told by the GP that 37.5 was normal. So I wouldn't give any medication at all.

Whilst the child may not need panadol to reduce fever at 37.5 they may still have a painful throat or ears that may well benefit from panadol.

[purplekitty]

really?

Treat the child not the fever.
RCH Melbourne,
Fever in Children

Of course, as PP have said, some children may have special circumstances.