it is interesting to hear everyone replies - thanks!

Yep for DD her temp is around 37 at rest so if it's over 39 I know she is really ill. Tonight she is however around 38 but seems relatively settled. I just thought it was interesting the way hubby just jumped on the panadol like "she has a fever - must give panadol"

On the other hand DS - like me has a low resting body temp - around 36 so when he gets to 38 I know he is really buring up.

KimmyF - I personally don't use nurofen as when DS was little and they brought out childrens nurofen (then recommended from 1 yr) and it caused him to vomit everytime I gave it to him - I literally shuddered when I saw it is now recommended from 6 mth. I also think it's interesting that the pharmist insists it MUST be taken with food - heard one the other day at the chemist - mother questioned if BM was OK and pharmist said better with solids. Yet how do you make sure a 6mth old eats something when they wake at 2am with a fever/pain??? - blah but of topic - yes I have heard you can take both at the same time but have never had reason to

Oh another interesting tibit. My friend recently took her son to ER with high fever - she had already given panadol but the dr told her that the dosage on the bottle is under the actual amount you can give as the manufacture 'assumes' parents will use more than the recommended dose??? WTF