103 Fever

[ChefGirl]

DS is 1.5 y.o. and started having a low grade fever yesterday morning and 103 toward the end of the afternoon/evening and this morning. Alhtough was able to get it down to 100 with medicine. Now he's been running 103 again through out the afternoon. I just don't know what is causing it. I know if I call the pediatrician on-call, they would tell me to take him to the emergency room. I had bad experience iwth that with DS #1. What to do? Any advice? He's had two cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in the last two months. Bad luck as pediatrician called it. I appreciate any advice out there. On top of that, we are moving this weekend! Ugh!

[bubbaray]

Personally, *I* wouldn't go to the ER with a fever of that temp that responds to meds. I would go if it did NOT respond to meds. I would go if it were higher and responded to meds.

But, at lot would depend on other symptoms -- if any lethargy, convulsions, uncontrolled persistent vomitting, etc.

[kristenk]

I agree with Melissa. If he's doing okay otherwise, I'd probably let it go and keep him home. Is he eating and drinking? Enough wet diapers?

As long as the answers to the above questions are good and the fever is still responding to the medication, I wouldn't go to the ER.

Hope he feels better soon.

[ChefGirl]

Originally Posted by bubbaray

Personally, *I* wouldn't go to the ER with a fever of that temp that responds to meds. I would go if it did NOT respond to meds. I would go if it were higher and responded to meds.

But, at lot would depend on other symptoms -- if any lethargy, convulsions, uncontrolled persistent vomitting, etc.

No other symptoms except the irritability when fever is high and not eating as much. He does grab his mouth here and there which makes me think he may be getting those sores again....is that possible 3 times in a row??Ugh.

[edurnemk]

DS is the same age, and a couple of months back he had a very high fever witho no other symptoms (turned out to be roseola). The nurse and the Ped on call both said not to go to the ER if I could keep it under control in any way. He wasn't really responding to meds, and the only way to get it down was with lukewarm baths or cool compresses. When it got up to 105, the Ped on call said to keep putting him in the tub. It was very scary, and a very long night of alternating Motrin, Tylenol, baths and compresses, but we managed to keep it under control. It got pretty bad once in the midle of the night, he was even delirious and I wanted to run to the ER, but DH didn't want us to, the Ped thought the same. Even when I told him I got it from 105 to 100 in the tub, but 20 minutes later it was back at 105 he just said to put him back in the tub.
The nurse did say that if it got to 105, to go to the ER because at that age that temperature can cause seizures. But if he's not showing any other serious symptoms and you can keep it under 103 with baths and meds, I don't think you need to go to the ER.

Good luck!

[Nyfeara]

We had the roseola experience too, about 2 weeks ago. DS is 17 months old. He had a 102+ fever on Tuesday, then 103.5 on Wednesday. Within an hour of giving the Tylenol/Motrin it was down to 101. He had no other signs other than he was irritable when the fever was high, not too interested in eating. When the fever was down, he was nearly his normal self. The fever was usually low grade during the day, but that late afternoon/early evening would shoot up.

On Thursday, no fever, saw the ped, nothing else was wrong with him. That night we noticed a rash, but it was a flat rash and not really itchy or anything. We asked a neighbor, who is a nurse, to take a look at the rash & she immediately said roseola too. The fever was gone, and the rash disappeared, for the most part, by Sunday.

Our instructions were basically that if he 103.5 or higher that didn't respond to meds, bring him in/take to the ER.

Good luck!

[doberbrat]

My pedi is wholely unconcerned about fevers unless dd is misearable. We dont medicate until the fever hits 103 unless somethign hurts (ears etc) and then guage behavior.

and if it comes down w/meds, they dont want to see her until its been at least 3 days regardless of how high it gets unless there's vomiting/diaeherea or pulling on ears or some other symptom of concern.


hope he's better fast.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Ds got as high as 105 (for the tiniest of time) when he was 16m old. He responded well to meds so we just kept him comfy- this, of course, happened on a Saturday. Come Monday he was still sick so we went in. It was an ear infection. We discussed what I should have done and the ped was ok with what we did. It was an ear infection, which I suspected by Sunday.

Beth

[ciw]

DS had the same symptoms here a few weeks ago. Also turned out to be roseola. The ped said they're seeing a lot of cases right now.

[citymama]

What meds do you guy find best for high fevers - kid's tylenol or motrin? My 3.5 yr old had a high fever earlier today which responded to Motrin, which I only used because we were at a friend's house and that's what her kids use. We usually do Tylenol. Any opinions?

To the OP, I hope your little guy is all better soon! So worrying when that happens.