Red dot and line on images D40

[wildflower]

I have a D40 that shows a red dot and line on each image. I can see it on every image, but it is most visible on the ones with darker background. The dot and line are visible on the camera screen as well as after image is transferred to a computer... Long exposure shots don't have the line... It is not too big of a deal but it makes it so that I have to retouch a lot of images and it is frustrating. Any ideas of what it might be?

Attached is the image of nothing starring the line....

[scootermcq]

Hot pixel on the sensor..... not much you can do