Temperature of 99.6 rectally

D&D4Ever7

Yesterday DS has been really fussy all day yesterday.  He has temperature of 99.6. He did not nap all day, but slept ok at night.  He feels warmer than normal.  I am really worried since he is only 6 wks old.  His pediatrician office is closed over the weekend, but emergency line is open.  They don't want people to call with babies under 100.4 fever. What would you do?

D&D4Ever7

Scout2005:

I would just keep an eye on it, take the temp in a little bit.

They won't do anything for a baby that young with that temp. Do you have infant Tylenol (or generic) on hand?

I don't have any tylenol. I will ask DH to go get some

shall923

Did they tell you not to call unless it was over 100.4 even at his age? I ask because my pedi said I should call with any fever when she was under 3 mos old. Hope he feels better soon.

D&D4Ever7

shall923:

Did they tell you not to call unless it was over 100.4 even at his age? I ask because my pedi said I should call with any fever when she was under 3 mos old. Hope he feels better soon.

Yes, at his first appointment they said not to call unless fever is 100.4 or greater. I actually did ended up calling and they said that 99.6 is not high enough to worry.  I am suppose to keep checking it.

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While 99.6 isn't extremely high, my older DD recently had an ear infection with only 99.8 temp. So if your worried call the doc. Better safe than sorry. I hope he feels better soon.

Ernie52408

From what I understand any rectal temp under 100.5 is considered normal. DS's temp is always around 99.5 when I take it.

Junebug060609

Ernie52408:

From what I understand any rectal temp under 100.5 is considered normal. DS's temp is always around 99.5 when I take it.

This is basically what I was going to say.  My understanding is that temps taken rectally will be, on average, a degree above oral temps.  A temp of 99.6 would be 98.6 orally, which would be considered totally normal.